Goldring - Audio Note - Roksan ?

I’m also using passive preamp and i must say that 5mV cartridge is such a high output already, strange that you’re looking for even higher output cartridge. If your system can’t handle 5mV cartridge i would look for a better phonostage. My passive amp (Pass Aleph) can be switched to the active mode, but i have never ever used active mode even with 0.15mV LOMC cartridges.

I bought an Audio Note Cartridge while I was waiting for my MC Cartridge to be retipped.  I ordered it directly from the distributor in Canada.  I liked it very much, very dynamic with clean and crisp highs.  If I did not own a much more expensive MC Cartridge, I would still be using it. 

Thank You stereo5
I've read some good things about ANs cartridge but there doesn't seem to be a lot of them out there .

chakster
I don't know what phono stage you are using but it must have one hell 
of a gain factor.
At 1kHz, the gain through the MM input is 44dB, or 158.5 v/v. So, for a 5 mV RMS input at 1kHz, the output would be 0.7925 volts RMS .
My amp has a 2.0v sensitivity , so more input would get me closer to
it's full output .

All in all I would probably be better off adding an active preamp 
that would give me more cartridge options but I'd think I will try the higher output cartridge first .

I don’t know what phono stage you are using but it must have one hell of a gain factor.

Not at all. You’re talking about MI cartridge with 5mV output, this is high output even for MM. My phono stages are the Gold Note PH-10 and JLTi just to name a few.

But i’m using a high efficient speakers (101db) Zu Audio Druid.
I prefer passive preams as i don’t need any more gain.

With my Grado XTZ ( 1.5mV Output) cartridge the volume control on my preamp is no more than 50% in any situation, normally 30-40%.

chakstr

I have to say Thank You , 
your answer cause me to ask questions .
Do I need an active preamp ? if so why ?
So I,ve been researching #s ,  
my amp would like 2 volts imput and I am only giving it .8V
with moving up to a higher output cartridge in would be about 1V .
On the Thiel speaker forum many owners use CJ equipment ,
Why ? beacuse they need only 1V input for full output .
So now I have a lot to think about ( which means spending $ )
do I look for a different amp and keep the passive preamp or add an active preamp  ?
Anyway thank you for making me think deeper .

Rob

 

The cartridge I bought from Gold Note was a Vasari Gold.

What is the input impedance of your power amp? Is it more likely it's an impedance matching problem if you're finding a passive resistor pre isn't doing the trick maybe a TVC will (an autoformer type will be more even handed if what Max Townshend told me was true, on the other hand that's the type he sells).

You need an active preamp to add gain. Otherwise you will be spinnin' your wheels trying to get higher volume with the speakers that you are using!

Thank You yeti42

My amps impedance is 100k ( standard or most common ? ) .

I looked up chakstr's phono stage , using rca outputs it's output voltage is fixed at 1V , balanced is 4V ! 
My phono stage output is only .8V .

I've discovered that Goldring makes the AudioNote cartridges 
and that Decca/London cartridges putout 6.5mVs .

Still kicking things around .

Rob

 

yogiboy

I am not looking for higher volume ,
but more reserve when bass pushes the speakers down to 2 ohms .

Rob

If your amp has an input sensitivity of 2 volts you need a preamp with 2 volts or more to drive the amp to full power. You will never do that with a phono preamp with a .8 volt output. Like I said, you need an active line stage to drive your power amp! Or a phono preamp that has a 2 volt or more output!

yogiboy
Thank you and I agree with you kind of ,
a new/different amp with  1V input sensitivity would be the direction
that I would go , but for now a higher output from the cartridge is the most economical way to go .
Interestingly my CD player has about a 2.3V output and yet 
on the 24 step attenuator with 2db per step  the CD is set at 10
and the TT is at 14 during normal listening !
I am very curious to hear what increasing the cartridge voltage output
by 20% .
Interestly the  Goldring 1042 stylus has the same diamond cut as 
Clearaudio's top of the line MM .

@chakster 

I'd like to say Thank you for responding with your experience
and opinion .
I gained the confidence to purchase a cartridge that I've wanted to try
for a long time ( plus one became available at a price I could afford )
a Soundsmith , almost new Carmen mkII ,
the lastest model with 2.12 mV output .
I thought that I would have to turn the attenuator way up 
but I only went up one or two , from 12 or 13 to 14 or 15 out of 24 .

Rob

Good choice, Robert.
SoundSmith should be nice