Matching Sumiko SHO and Pass Labs Aleph Ono


My new PASS ALEPH ONO mates a SUMIKO SHO cartridge (2.4 mV output, 47k Ohms) with a PASS ALEPH P (the later one with the LEDs). At first, with ONO's standard MC settings, the SHO was almost too loud at the very lowest preamp volume/gain setting...and also got very shrill/grainy/distorted with energetic female singing, instrumental attacks, etc. I changed ONO's internal setting to MM and 100 pF...now sound is very smooth and relaxed, maybe a bit less detailed...but I use up ALL the volume/gain control on my ALEPH P getting the sound levels I like. Though PASS manual doesn't mention anything, are there any other MM gain adjustments inside the ONO I can make...so I can have some semblance of "preamp control" over sound levels I really don't want to change to bigger amps (Pass Aleph O's) or more efficient speakers (Alon V's). Thanks.
nnauber

Showing 1 response by ivanj

Run a balanced cable (XLR to XLR) from the Ono to the Alpeh P. This should give you 6 DB more gain, and probably a better sound to boot. Don't worry about turning the volume control all the way up on the P, you can't hurt anything.