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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
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?
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi, just checking ... what phono stage did you end up with? I am trying to decide if I want to try something new for my MC2 Finish...
nkvelvet
5 posts
 
Both MC2 finish and F1 cartridges from jan allaerts are from another planet it happen to have both ...
I have try all phono stages you can name...only tom evans phonos can really work !!
Groove plus srx or even better the latest model master phono
more expensive of course ..
there is one phono stage especially made (Germany..)
for this cartridges but cost a fortune i think 27000 euros ??
Well maybe is good but price is out of any logic!!
Cables also is very important SME Vdh cable is not for this cartridge ..not at all you need a really fine cable
I use a custom one made by fine silver -single solid core
very thin 0,15mm it works fantastic !!
This cartridges is not a toy ..you must be very carefull but then again could not be different !!
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