Phono Stage Amp

@cinqcepages

What is the output of the E.A.T E-Glo Petit?

E-Glo max gain is 70 dB. For your 0.25mV Goldring, that gives an output of about 0.8 Volts (790 milliVolts). On paper, it’s a good choice. Your current M1 yields only 0.15 Volts (149 mV) for that same cartridge. It will be a massive difference. Your M1 phono stage’s MC mode is certainly targeted at medium output MC cartridges, not low outputs like 0.25mV.

Alternatively a Bob’s Devices Sky 30 SUT would add ~ 29dB (maybe a little less due to loading losses) to your M1’s 40 dB / 47K MM mode, and nets close to the same result as the E-Glo’s highest 70dB gain. But even 40dB is on the low side for an MM stage. Musical Fidelity isn't very generous with their dB's!

Others are very correct to point out the mismatch between amp & speakers, and potential TT isolation issues. However your current phono stage / cartridge match is DEFINITELY a problem; it’s just that you may be dealing with multiple issues here. I’d fix the phono stage first, since as you mentioned the system works well with digital sources (usually at least 2 Volts output).

@cinqcepages not sure what the 11.1 went for new, but the newest 11.3 is $4999, so yea not a cheapie.

I have the same problem with the Mofo phono stage.  I get a fuzz sound at higher volume.  Clear audio concept, Hana mC, McIntosh ma252, Wilson watt puppy 7.

everything sounds great until I get a little past 50% volume.  There’s no noise running my DAC or CD player.  I believe changing my phono will also involve a new integrated amplifier.

However your current phono stage / cartridge match is DEFINITELY a problem; it’s just that you may be dealing with multiple issues here.

@mulveling

The root problem is WHY crank the volume up just past half way and there tends to be distortion.

If the M1 can’t provide enough voltage to feed the downstream components, then the preamp volume control should be able to turn all the way to max to add gain. It may increase noise level but not distortion.

The root problem is WHY crank the volume up just past half way and there tends to be distortion.

If the M1 can’t provide enough voltage to feed the downstream components, then the preamp volume control should be able to turn all the way to max to add gain. It may increase noise level but not distortion.

In theory that’s fine, but especially with TT gear involved, my experience is that if you don’t keep the signal in a "sweet spot" range at EVERY stage, bad things happen - and at best, suboptimal sound is the result. OP needs to fix the phono stage mismatch either way.

If OP gets a better phono stage and the distortion still remains at higher listening levels, then other potential culprits like feedback (solutions: better isolation, or simply moving the table, maybe a subsonic rumble filter...) should be examined in further detail. One problem at a time...