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Phonostage for Jan Allaerts MC 2 Finish Gold.

I have an Avid Acutus Reference SP turntable with Dynavector DV507MKII, I have been using this with the DV XV-1s and different step-up transformers like Bent Audio Mu, Alltec Lancing 4722 and M.A. Cotter MKII with my Hovland HP-100 built in MM phonostage. Recently I bought a SME20/2 with SME V-D arm and my dealer borrowed me a Jan Allaerts MC 2 Finish Gold that I now have in the Dynavector arm with a Yamamoto headshell. The XV-1s is in the SME V-D arm.

The Jan Allaerts is much more demanding than the XV-1s so I have not had the greatest sound from it through transformers. Recently I have tried the Avid Pulsare and yesterday also the Einstein Turntable choice, both good match with the Jan Allaerts as far as I can tell.
The problem is that without having tried different placements too much I have a hum problem with the Jan Allaerts. Could be the low output, could be the placement of the phono stage.

Anyway, does anybody know of a great phono stage for the Jan Allaerts? I am very happy with the XV-1s into the Hovland, but if the new phono stage has two inputs that is most welcome.

Any other advises, tips and tricks I need to know about the J.A. MC2 Finish Gold? I think I will keep it cause it sounds lovely.
fosse
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Another vote for the TRON Seven (or even better the TRON Syren preamp with on board phono). Top class sound, battleship build and designed to match the Allaerts.
bril12
13 posts
 
I own an Allaerst mc2 Finish and have tried a dozen of phonostages before ending up with VTL TP-6.5 with a transformer option. It's super quiet and plays wonderfull.
sugar
2 posts
 
I owned an Allaerts MC Formula 1 & tested on my FM 222 MKIII and Kondo KSL -M7 phono amp. respectively. The best result is best match with Kondo, sound is wonderful, good partner with Kondo tube phono amp. with its SF-Z transformer as well.
breezer
118 posts
 
Have you heared a MC2 Finish with Klyne phonoamp or with Shindo pre and SUT?
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I recently bought a MC2 Finish 2 weeks ago. Really a wonderful cartridge. wow. Still breaking in I guess, I have about 30 hours playing time on it. However it sounded great from the start.

I am using my Nagra VPS. I did special order a input card with 847ohm installed (which helps). I have a little noise, no hum, but fantastic sound. I am coming from a Lyra Skala which had .5mv output (so a big diff in output).

Honestly the little bit of noise, I could care less about, the sound is wonderful.

For those that have tried other phono stages for really low output mc's, what do you hear?
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