I just stumbled across this post in a Google search and have some of these same issues. My current set up is as follows:
Cambridge Azur 551p preamp (39 dB)
Pro-Ject Debut III
Ortofon Blue 2-M cartridge (5.5 mV)
Jolida FX-10 amp (670 mV input sensitivity)
Dali Zensor 1 speakers
My speakers are somewhat inefficient with my amp. I was looking into getting a Budgie preamp for my system which has a gain of 38 dB. However the owner Shannon suggested that I get the Budgie Hybrid which has gain of 46 dB. His reasoning is below:
- The 42dB gain recommendation comes from the following calculations. The Jolida needs 670mV of input voltage drive to hit 10W. The Ortofon 2M Blue puts out 5.5mV. So 670mV / 5.5mV = 122 times gain or 42dB gain. With only 38dB, the amp can only put out 4.5W as it runs out of voltage drive. As I said in the earlier email, if you feel that the current gain arrangement is OK, then the regular Budgie should be fine. It has very similar gain to your Cambridge Audio 551P (38dB vs 39dB).
- You wouldn't ever have a problem with too much gain with the Budgie Hybrid. I think the 46dB rating is a better nominal gain for a wide variety of carts (HOMC and MM).
I'm still worried that the Hybrid may be too much gain for what I have and the gain on my system with the Cambridge sounds fine to me (but what do I know, I'm not an electrical engineer!). Any insight or input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cambridge Azur 551p preamp (39 dB)
Pro-Ject Debut III
Ortofon Blue 2-M cartridge (5.5 mV)
Jolida FX-10 amp (670 mV input sensitivity)
Dali Zensor 1 speakers
My speakers are somewhat inefficient with my amp. I was looking into getting a Budgie preamp for my system which has a gain of 38 dB. However the owner Shannon suggested that I get the Budgie Hybrid which has gain of 46 dB. His reasoning is below:
- The 42dB gain recommendation comes from the following calculations. The Jolida needs 670mV of input voltage drive to hit 10W. The Ortofon 2M Blue puts out 5.5mV. So 670mV / 5.5mV = 122 times gain or 42dB gain. With only 38dB, the amp can only put out 4.5W as it runs out of voltage drive. As I said in the earlier email, if you feel that the current gain arrangement is OK, then the regular Budgie should be fine. It has very similar gain to your Cambridge Audio 551P (38dB vs 39dB).
- You wouldn't ever have a problem with too much gain with the Budgie Hybrid. I think the 46dB rating is a better nominal gain for a wide variety of carts (HOMC and MM).
I'm still worried that the Hybrid may be too much gain for what I have and the gain on my system with the Cambridge sounds fine to me (but what do I know, I'm not an electrical engineer!). Any insight or input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks