Jolida JD9 settings for use with a Denon DL-160?


Greetings all,
I just picked up a nice deal on a used *original* (not the newer version) JD-9 phono preamp as an upgrade to my current TT/Cart setup - stock Technics SL-1200mkII and Denon DL-160 (HIGH output MC, 1.6mV)

My previous set up was using the built in phono pre input on my Musical Fidelity A5 integrated amp.

I checked the settings on the Jolida and the switches were set to 47kOhm (switch 4 on) and 47 pF (switch 5 on) with the gain at 55dB (ALL gain switches off).

I connected the HI outputs to the Tuner inputs (line level) on the A5 (I did not connect it back up to the phono inputs).

After letting the JD-9 warm up for 2 hrs, I put on my ultra quiet and nice sounding Friday Music release of Heart's Dreamboat Annie.

First impressions - wow - bright and brittle...lean sounding on the bottom end :-(

Turned everything off and reconnected the TT directly to the phono inputs.

Ah...back to the smoother, more liquid sound w/ better tonal balance and more oomph to the bottom end. :-)

So....any recommendations on how to set the JD-9?

Thanks,
Erik
erikt

Showing 1 response by mofimadness

I agree. 55db is way too high. The DL-160 should use around 40db-42db of gain. This will depend on the gain of the line stage also, but should be close to that range.

The 47pf capacitive loading you have set really shouldn't matter a lot. Moving coils are much less sensitive, (if at all) to this load. Moving magnets are the cartridges that use this setting. I would probably just set it to zero, if possible.

The 47kohm impedance loading is correct for this cartridge.