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?  

128x128cinqcepages

Showing 5 responses by ditusa

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 

@cinqcepages,

You need a minimum of 150 watts the speakers are low Impedance and low sensitivity. IMO: You have a amp speaker mismatch.

Mike

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 

What speakers do you have?

Mike

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 

@cinqcepages,

FWIW: The cat Eye tube upfront as output level indicator. If that cat’s eye ever blinks shut while you’re playing your tunes, you’ve reached full power from the Cary 805 amp.

Below is from Stereophile measurements:

Cary 805 amp voltage gain averaged 23.2dB at 5dB feedback (into an 8 ohm load, slightly less into a 4 ohm load, slightly more into a 16 ohm load). With 0dB of feedback, the gain increased to 25.2dB; with 10dB of feedback it dropped to 18.2dB (all into an 8 ohm load).

Mike

 

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 

@cinqcepages,

I am running 805's out of the 4ohms. Was my assumption wrong?

No! But, I would try all three output taps and use the one that sounds best.

Mike😎

 

 

 

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 

@cinqcepages,

Just a thought, do you run the Cary 805 amp with or without feedback?

Mike 

 

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