Matching the cartridge to the phono stage

Thanks guys. Interesting that setting on the preamp is MC High output but you are recommending to use it for this cartridge. Btw the phono stage is Luxman L-509Z (integrated amp). I'm in the process of purchasing some of this stuff still but before I do I wanted to figure out how to match things together. 

@jasonbourne71 this is what I found about the gain: 

PHONO (MM): 87 dB or more, PHONO (MC-H):: 70 dB or more, PHONO (MC-L):: 62 dB or more

@dogberry I have no idea about resistive loading. Just trying to setup my first turntable. Very new to this :) 

Thanks @pindac . 

I'm thinking of Rega Planar 6 with its standard tonearm with the Hana SL cart. 

Hi @mulveling wow...thanks for such a descriptive explanation.

Do you have any suggestions of MC cartridges that sound great kinda like Hana SL ( I actually chose it by recommendation and also google research). I have not opened the cartridge so I can always return and get something else. It just had such great reviews that I thought that I'm definitely getting this one.

 

But then I had to upgrade my amplification for my Dynaudio speakers and therefore I ended up deciding on the Luxman. So Luxman is what I will be getting but everything else I can adjust.

I don't even have a turntable yet but Rega Planar 6 with its standard tonearm is my thought so far.

Would be interesting to understand what matches exactly to my phono stage at the level and price as the Hana SL possibly.

Thanks!

 

 

 

I also just found more specs for the phono stage: 

S/N ratio:

PHONO (MM) : 91 dB or more (IHF-A correction, 5 mV input) 

PHONO (MC) : 75 dB or more (IHF-A correction, 0.5 mV input)

What about Fixed Coil Carts ? Do you guys have experience with those versus Moving Coil ? 

 

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/fixed-coil-vs-moving-coil-why-make-jump-different-technology

So much cool information here, I learned a ton. Thanks everyone. I think what I'm going to do is find a cartridge that fits my phono stage in the Luxman. I saw some people mention a match of Dynavector cartiridges, Benz, soundsmith. Some of them are expensive and I'm looking to find one for under 1K that sounds awesome. Maybe even Hana SH which matches better to the Luxman. I'm not going to do any modifications to the amp for sure, if I decide to do that then I'll just buy a separate phono stage instead. 

How about Rega Ania MC ? that way no spacers are needed I think and reviews are pretty good (I should really audition it). 

 

These are the specs:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Tracking Pressure 1.75 - 2.00 g 

Input Load Impedance 100 Ω 

Output Impedance ​10 Ω 

Nominal output voltage 350 μV 

Channel Balance ≥ 20 μV 

Separation ≥ -29 dB 

 

LOAD SETTINGS FOR Ania Cartridge:

Phono settings:

Impedance 100 Ω 

Capacitance 1000 pF 

Gain Setting High (‘On’ position for Rega phono stages) 

 

These are my phono stage specs again (btw what does IHF-A correction mean in the specs below? Does it mean it will adjust to that voltage if required automatically?):

 

Moving Magnet: 

2.5mV / 47kΩ

 

Moving Coil:

MC-High-Output: 0.3mV / 100Ω

MC-Low--Output: 0.1mV / 40Ω

 

LINE 180 mV / 47 kΩ

 

S/N ratio:

 

PHONO (MM) : 91 dB or more (IHF-A correction, 5 mV input) 

PHONO (MC) : 75 dB or more (IHF-A correction, 0.5 mV input)

 

@atmasphere Hi, yeah I heard about that, spacers needed if adjusting VTA, right ? 

I was also considering Clearaudio Concept but when I heard them side by side with the same Hana SL cartridge I liked Rega much better. It sounded more dynamic, better bass, quicker. But Clearaudio tonearms have adjustable VTA, hence decided on the Rega. 

Any other table suggestions with adjustable VTA and really good ones ?