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How do you tame a Denon DL-S1?

I recently got a Denon DL-S1. It has a very low output. I have a Minimax phono preamp and a Dodd. I have been rolling tubes and trying various things to see what works best with the Denon. When I use the stock JJ 6922 tubes in my Dodd and run the Denon directly into the 47k input, the detail and texture of the voice is unbelievable. I didn’t know there was that much information in the grooves. The problem is that I have to run the gain of my preamp up so high and the overall tone is not quite as good as with 60’s Amperexs or the Sovtek 6922s. With the other two I lose a lot of the detail and texture. My question is; would a SUT give me more gain and still keep the detail and texture? Would the SUT improve the overall tone? Would a blue Cinemag be a good choice?

I suspect that it might be a similar problem to other high information mc cartridges

Bob
rsimms

Showing 6 responses by rsimms

rsimms OP
150 posts
 
The Denon specs that I have seen show 0.15mv. This is very low but not that far out. The Denon 103r has .25 and my old AT OC9II was .4mv. It actually works in my Dodd phono preamp which only as 50db of gain. I do have to krank up my Calyspo preamp higher than I would like.

Bob
rsimms OP
150 posts
 
Raul,

What about using a head amp? I have a Solo head am that works good but it is a bit to romantic and veiled. Would the MF RM4 or the Picolo be better? What phonostage would you suggest?

Bob
rsimms OP
150 posts
 
The Jasmine looks interesting. I see the MC gain section is in two copper boxes. I wonder what is in those boxes? Transformers?

Bob
rsimms OP
150 posts
 
Raul, are you suggesting that I should get a used Threshold FET 10/e or 10/pc?

Bob
rsimms OP
150 posts
 
Since my old thread was brought back from the dead I thought I would give a update. I still am using the Dodd with Amperex Orange Globe small halo tubes. A couple of years ago, I got a Piccolo head amp and it is a perfect match with the Dodd. I couldn't be happier with the combination. Bob
rsimms OP
150 posts
 
I love the comments. Thanks for the suggestions. To keep you up-to-date I have been tube rolling with my Dodd phono preamp. I put Amperex Oranges in the first stage and JJ’s for the output drivers. The sound is incredible. It reminds me (in a VERY small way ) of the wonderful ARC Reference 2 phonostage with the Lyra Olympos cartridge that I heard in the Vandersteen room at the RMAF. The ARC Ref 2 is out of my price range, but would the previously mentioned phonostages sound in the ballpark like the Dodd does?

This discovery thrills me as it tells me that I am on the right track. I can live happily with the Dodd for a while but I am still looking for a more permanent solution. The Dodd is not really a LOMC preamp.

Bob
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