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Phono Preamp Gain

Hi all,

I am in the process of getting a new cartridge and I want to make sure the output voltage is a good fit for my system. First off here's what I'm working with:

VPI Prime
Schiit Mani (30dB, 42dB, 48dB, 59dB gain options)
Prima Luna Dialogue Premium Integrated (239mV input sensitivity using KT88 tubes) (S/N ratio 81)
JBL L100

My question is what do I use for Vout in this equation to calculate the correct gain to choose on the Schiit Mani phono preamp??


20log(Vout/Vin)


Using the input sensitivity of the integrated and the output voltage of the  Soundsmith Otello ES Moving Iron Cartridge I get 

20log(.239V/.00212V) = 41dB gain

Is this correct?
My main issue is I dont know if my assumption to use .239V is correct.

Cheers



nmo25

Showing 2 responses by nmo25

nmo25 OP
2 posts
 
I appreciate the discussion and I am trying to wrap my head around this. 

So to find the correct phono stage gain gain ‘on paper’ for a cartridge with 2.12mV output would I assume the phono would output a voltage of ~1V line level?

Vout =1V
Vin =.00212V

Phono stage gain would technically be 53.5dB ?


nmo25 OP
2 posts
 
Tablejockey,

Of course! I wanted to see if I was in the right ballpark before messing around and finding out what sounds best. I haven’t bought the soundmith cart yet, but the compliance works well with the lighter VPI arm so my next bet was to see if the output would be close to one of the gains on the mani. 

Obviously my phono stage is the bottleneck in the system, and eventually I would like to upgrade that. I appreciate the tube preamp recommendations because that’s definitely the path I’ll be going down. I’m not sure if the JBLs are anywhat of a good match for the Primaluna but I got them for dirt cheap at an estate sale so they are staying for a while. 


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