gcph phono stage gain settings

Hi,
y.s.:
>>> i'm concerned that if i ever get an mc cartridge with 1/10 the output of my current cartridge, the gcph will not be able to handle it.<<<

Your fear is completely unfounded. I used the GCPH with a 0.3mV cart. Setting in this case was 1kohm or 500ohm load and 60db RCA (=66dB with XLR which I used).

As far as the MM goes: The GCPH volume knob set at 3:00 is just fine with no sound degradation i.e. just a tad off the full volume (1:00 if FAR too low!). Close the volume all the way, put a small pencil mark at ~ 7:00 (as it does not do a full 360deg turn) then open the volume until your pencil mark is at ~ 3:00.

Setting for MM is 47k (a MUST!) and you will probably find that 60/66 dB is by far too loud! --- and so you can go down to a more appropriate 40dB RCA = 46dB XLR.

thanks for the responses. yes, i have the impedance set at 47.
someone at ps audio initially said not to turn the front gain knob past 1 o'clock, but i don't get much sound if i do.

also, i get essentially no sound until the front knob is at 12. seems like a silly design to not start getting sound until the knob is half way around.

Tanglewood:
I think in fairness to PS Audio, you also can connect the unit straight to a power amp. I have done that too, but preferred going true my Levinson 326S after all.
If you connect it straight to a power amp, it will start to make sense why it works that way. It's a good attenuator from 0 all the way up, and 1:00 will be about where it is at elevated room spl -- depending on your cart of course. Going into a pre-amp it's 3:00pm and not 1:00pm, at least in my experience... :-)
A.

thanks axel.

and i did not mean to be critical of the gcph in general--i thought that perhaps my particular unit has a defect (it is b-stock). but it seems from your response that it is working as intended.

j

Hi,
y.s.: >> (it is b-stock) <<
What makes it b-stock? I only know the answer to such in the shoe industry and there it'd mean some blemish/mark with the finish. You’d still get 2 soles and 2 laces, upper, insoles etc. :-)
So it maybe a scratch or such?
A.

Viridian
this box has only 4 settings: 47k, 1k, 500ohm and 100ohm. I guess that should settle it in any case, as there is NO 47ohm.

yes, i meant 47k.

to my knowledge, b-stock refers to units that were demos, or units that were used and then returned by customers for whatever reason. if the unit wasn't working properly, then it is refurbished. the units are sold "as new" which means they come with a full warranty.

Thanks Tanglewood
and by the way, you'll have to fork out plenty more $$$ before you will better that GCPH.
So far only going with a decent tube job could I see some 'affordable' possible improvement. Example is my son's EAR 864P (but second hand only).