Whoops, forgot to mention that the XX2mkII is a LOMC with a gain of 0.28mv.
Is 74 dB too much gain for the Dynavector XX2mkII?
So I wanted to get some feedback from those of you who may know a lot more about phono cartridges than I do.....I was fortunate enough recently to pick up an Audio Research Ref 2 SE phono preamp to go with my Dynavector and VPI Classic Signature. The setup sounds great! I would love to take advantage of the dual outputs (1 single ended and 1 balanced) on the back of the phono preamp since I usually record to digital files for playback in my car of albums that I don't have on CD.....so I would use the balanced output right into the preamp and the single ended into my NAD PP4 ADC at the same time. The output of the balanced connection is a hefty 74 dB while the output of the single ended RCA is 68 dB.....right in the wheelhouse of the XX2mkII according to things I've read plus the online calculator that I've seen some use on here. I have listened to both and they both sound fine, the single ended seems to be a little livelier while the balanced connection seems a little smoother and more laid back, possibly a little lower noise floor. My question is whether the 74 dB gain is too much for that cartridge? I don't hear any distortion or anything, but I really don't know what a cartridge would sound like with too much gain since I'm not an expert by any means and have never listened to a mismatched cartridge.
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total