phono preamp for the ortofon 2m bronze

kully560,

My version of the 2M BLACK is circa 2016, which would coincide with the version that lowbeats.de tested, and my preamp gain is only 6db.  I suspect your version of the 2M Bronze is more recent, and Ortofon may have corrected the output voltage to spec 5.5 mv, especially as evidenced by your Bryston preamp gain 12 db single ended, and 18 db balanced.  My 2M black was in need of a retip, but instead of replacing, I just purchased a new Soundsmith Carmen MK2 which Elusive Disk had on closeout at $699, and with future retip cost of only $199 beats the 2M black at $570, and just dialed in sounds great, and Soundsmith cartridges are known for their tolerance of record noise, which the Ortofon 2M Black is not.  Otherwise, for now all is bliss, and you know the old saying, if it's not broke, do not fix it.  However, if my upgrade itch flairs up, I would consider a power supply upgrade such as the Keces (my radar bleeps when buying some unknown foreign power source, no interest in a fire or being electocuted), but for now just enjoying the music.  Otherwise, this arrangement I have is for a 2nd tonearm (VPI JWM 10), that was done on a tight budget.  I did not want to replicate my primary.  My primary is VPI 12-3D, Soundsmith Paua and Moon LP5.3 with the external power supply.  Yes, the Paua/Moon sounds better than the Carmen/Arcam, but its not 4 times (list price difference), better.

I bought my 2m bronze  late 2016 - early 2017. yes I am not jumping to buy a power supply yet, but my wheels are all ways turning and I enjoy researching equipment and upgrades. I do not buy unless I do all my home work / research . in this hobby it is very easy to go in the wrong direction  fast . thanks

kully560,

The Arcam at 40db will multiple the input signal 100:1, so a nominal input of 5.5 mv will output at 0.55 volts.  The nominal signal ended output from a cd player per redbook is 2 volts.  So, the Arcam will need more volume.  I did a quick look at your 14B3 amp, and it has a two gain settings. High sensitivity 23db which is 1V for 100watts, or low sensitivity 29db which is 2V for 100watts.  If your volume is 2/3 with cd, is the amp set for 29db?  If yes, setting to the 23db high sensitivity may give more volume control, just a thought.

hi antinn I believe you have it reversed the 29db for 1v most amp gain and the 23db for 2v. the owners manual recommends which I run balanced cables is the 23db gain setting [ noise -119db]. the singled ended [rca] is 29db for 1v [noise of -115db]. I use all balanced cables and also aes/ebu digital cable.I found these sound the best for my system. I may flip my gain setting to the 29db and leave my sub woofers off and see how it sounds . I all ways new the vinyl will play at a lower volume but is should not be at 1/3 more on the volume control .thanks for checking for me I let you know how that works out. also on a side note to the linear power supply. my research came up with the r-core transformer being much better than the toroidal transformer type so it seems .

hi antinn, thanks for all the help and suggestions . it work out well at the 29 db gain setting much more control over all on all sources. my cd player is at 1/2 volume and the turntable is at 3/4 volume much better . it seems that I have more authority to my speakers [ little more punch] very happy now . I also rebalanced my subs and was able to lower the crossover point from 60 hertz to 48 hertz . my speakers roll off at 48 hertz anyway . if I further decide to build or buy a linear power supply and try it I will let you know how it works out . king regards kully