Can VTL 2.5 do MC cartridge?


I have a first generation VTL 2.5 pre-amp. It has an internal phono stage, seemingly set up for MM cartridges, however, there is an option to add an additional tube to the phono section. Will this addition create enough gain to handle a "low output" MC cartridge? And if so, how low can it go?

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I have a VTL Ultimate Pre amp (circa late 80’s). Their is a phono interconnect marked on back and a separate interconnects jack marked MC. I highly recommend a high output MC,my VTL is quite noisy with low output MC.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XSR4rHkbwAYYz1b5A

Click on link.

Open pre amp,you see the 2 two blue squares with on and numbers? One for each channel. I have it on for MC. The numbers are the load and ohm settings. It’s set for 100ohms.

Even with an added tube to get gain up to around 60db+ there will still be noise inherent from tubes. A better solution is to use an SUT (Step Up Transformer). These add zero noise to a MM stage but handle the current-to-voltage conversion needed for LOMC cartridges.