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VAC Phono in Avatar Super

I have a VAC Avatar Super with a phono stage that has 42 db of gain. I have a Benz Glider High Output cartridge at 2.5mV. The documentation says it is appropriate with phono stages with gain of 40db or more and I asked VAC about it before I purchased. I have to use more volume than with my CDP and at higher volumes there is a background hum that is noticeable in quiet passages. VAC sells an external MC step-up network that plugs into the MM input that I think is like $900. Given that I have a high output cart, would the VAC step-up be a mismatch? Would I be better off going with a seperate phono stage? Different cartridge? Any and all advice appreciated.
maineiac

Showing 2 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Divo's probably right (unless this stepup is only 5db or so).

A stepup would also lower the impedance seen by the cartridge. Tonal balance might be significantly altered, yielding reduced HF's and/or heavier bass.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I would love to know how the Vac's phono stage stacks up against some of the well known brands out there.

I have demoed the VAC Renaissance (full-function preamp) in my system. I don't know how close the Avatar comes to that, but the Renaissance does include internal stepups on the MC inputs, so their topologies seem similar. The Renaissance is higher up the food chain of course, so take it FWIW.

In my system the Renaissance easily bested the Aesthetix Rhea/Calypso and its line stage easily bested a Lamm line stage. It was, in fact, the second best preamp I've heard. My Nick Doshi Alaap had slightly better frequency extension at both ends and was slightly clearer on digital sources, but the differences were not large. If I didn't have one of Nick's units the Renaissance would be my choice from all the commercial preamps I've heard.
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