Quick Compatibility Question


I recently purchased an Allnic H-1200 phono preamp.  It’s spec’d at +70db gain from its moving coil output.  Would this amount of gain be sufficient to drive a cartridge with an output of 0.2mV?  Thanks
128x128dmac67
That is a lot of gain for a phono stage and should be ideal for a .2 mV cartridge.
I actually would think one of the main reasons (beyond sound quality of course) for someone to buy a H-1200 would be specifically for the intended use with a ~0.2mV cart that wants to see roughly a 30ohm load.  Other than the 38dB MM gain option there is no simple gain adjustability from what I've gleaned. Perhaps you could recognize some gain flexibility with the line stage you're using if desired. But at 0.2mV you should be all set...enjoy.
I looked at the manual for the H-1200, and the reference to 30 ohms in its specs is confusing. The manual states as follows:

In the Specifications at the end of this manual, you will read that the moving coil (MC) input impedance for the H-1200 is up to 30 ohms. This value represents the internal impedance of the cartridge itself, and is at the high end of what would normally be expected for the internal impedance of an MC cartridge. It would be unusual to find a cartridge with internal impedance greater than that value. In fact, however, the MC step-up transformer in the H-1200 can accept cartridges with up to 300 ohms internal impedance.

What adds to the confusion, though, is that assuming the 32 db difference in gain between the MM input (38 db) and the MC input (70 db) is all provided by the step-up transformer, that would in fact imply an input impedance for MCs of 30 ohms. Which would seem to make it unsuitable for use with cartridges "with up to 300 ohms internal impedance."

Also, while 70 db of gain is seemingly adequate for a 0.2 mv cartridge, generally speaking having that much gain does not necessarily signify that noise performance will be satisfactory. In other words, all gains of a certain amount are not created equal, when it comes to noise. However, the following statement in this review provides confidence in this particular case:

My Lyra Parnassus has a relatively low output of 0.3 mV; the H-1200 had more than enough gain to handle it with aplomb.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

I guess I will be the odd man out.  In MY system, 69.5db is marginal for that low of an output cartridge.  However, I am pushing my amp pretty hard when I listen at loud volumes, and doing so requires high volume control settings.  With 73db of phono gain I am happy using an ART1000 with 0.2db output.
  So, to me it is system and usage dependent.
      Bill
Thanks for all the responses.  I obviously have very limited technical expertise in these things.  You have all been a wealth of knowledge as I’ve read through hundreds of discussions over the past month.  Thanks again.