Having a colleague with an EE background was helpful when it came to the phono stage. It is a simple circuit to produce an accurate Riaa correction and amplification with modest parts. He found my modest z phono to be overly complicated.An amplifier is a different effort, variable loads, cables, heat, vibrations to cope with. My 30 wpc class a amplifier playing into. 91 db 8 ohm paradigms was totally top ended, yet fills the room with bass with the late arriving new speakers. Using a subwoofer is an inexpensive way to use the class a watts for midrange and treble and class d to drive the bass
Phono Stage Gain - how does it impact sound?
Just upgraded from Hana EL (0.5mV out) to Hana ML on my MoFi UltraDeck table. Running Sutherland KC Vibe MkII phono stage. Max gain on the Vibe is 60db. Hana ML output is 0.4mV. Absolutely love the sound. Sweet, extended treble, vibrant mids, great clarity. Intoxicating sound. Soundstage is immersive. A huge upgrade over the EL. However, the bass is slightly on the lighter side. It’s detailed, textured, but lacking in the impact and dynamics department. Around 5hrs so far on the new ML but I doubt it’s the break in. I’m suspecting the 60db max gain on the Vibe isn’t driving my Pass XP-12 line stage to the fullest potential.
Cartridge is set up as perfectly as I could get it using Dr. Feichert protractor - overhang, VTA, azimuth, stylus force all seem right. Imaging is dead on.
Thoughts?