2. amps-preamps
  3. 178575-175711

Phono Stage Amp

I have a mid-level to low end turntable. (Music Hall 11.1) and a low end decent Phono Stage Music Fidelity M1. Good tonearm and good cartridge. 

I listen to JAZZ so volume isn't too much of an issue, but sometimes I just want it loud. I have Cary Audio slp-05 tube pre and the Cary Audio mono block main tube amps as drivers

I crank the volume up just past half way and there tends to be distortion. Below half way the sound is incredible. The records sound better than the corresponding CD or, of course, DAC streaming.

Would upgrading my phono-stage to one with greater boost help me? Or is that half (my whole phono system) of my system as good as it could get?  

cinqcepages

Showing 1 response by cleeds

cleeds
6,070 posts
 

boxcarman

Lots of phono stages do not put out the same level as other components. So you have to turn up your amp to get the same loudness. Which is taxing on the amp.

No, that doesn’t tax the amplifier. The amount of work an amplifier does is measured at its output. To that extent, the relative position of the volume control is irrelevant.

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