2. analog
  3. 1361833179

Phono Preamp Gain Question

I am looking to upgrade my phono preamp as I have just acquired a much better cartridge. The cartridge has an output of .28mv; my tube preamp has gain of 12db. What is the lowest gain that a moving coil stage of a phono preamp should have for me to listen without excessive noise? I listen at realistic levels--medium to loud. I have read that some of the newer phono preamps without transformers--ARC PH6 or CJ TEA2se to name two, will not have enough gain for my application. Thanks in advance for your help.
teeshot
Post removed 
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Marty, since KAB doesn't know what kind of line gain the user will be using, they also must consider a passive line stage, with no gain. That's why I alluded to the fact that the 61 db of 'optimum' gain should be PLENTY, if using an active preamp.

Because I'm running a cart with the same output (0.28 mV) into a phono stage with 60 db of gain and a line stage with 20 db of gain and the gain is way more than I need. It seems like your situation is almost identical to mine, with similar results 80-83 db of total gain is much more than enough.

So the 61 recommended 'optimum' reference seemed pretty high to me using a line stage with an additional 20 db of gain. Though I'm sure it wouldn't be excessive if I were using a passive preamp.
teeshot OP
123 posts
 
Jmcrogan, I am using the same cartridge as you. And as I stated above, my preamp, a Modwright 36.5, has 12db of gain. The responses above have more or less convinced me to not consider the ARC PH6 or the CJ TEA2SE. I think my focus now will be on the Herron VTPH-2 and the Pass X-15. Both of those should have plenty of gain; in fact I know that Dodgealum used the 36.5/VTPH-2 combo recently with great success.
Post removed 
More to discover