EddieT Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 Hi guys Anyone have info on the phono stage of this amp? Will it be fine for any modern moving magnet or iron cartridge? I know it needs a step up for an mcc. Thanks
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 6 hours ago, EddieT said: Hi guys Anyone have info on the phono stage of this amp? Will it be fine for any modern moving magnet or iron cartridge? I know it needs a step up for an mcc. Thanks Input impedance = 47k Ohms Input sensitivity @ 1 Volt RMS out = 1mV The phono stage will be fine with any standard MM cart. 1
EddieT Posted January 31, 2019 Author Posted January 31, 2019 4 hours ago, Zaphod Beeblebrox said: Input impedance = 47k Ohms Input sensitivity @ 1 Volt RMS out = 1mV The phono stage will be fine with any standard MM cart. Thanks Zaphod (one of my all time fav characters) Can I ask just for future reference where you got that info? Or is it just something you know? And would it still be better to get a phono stage with changeable impedance? My budget for this is only $500 so I’m fairly limited for choice in good gear. Andyr has helped me sort this on an old valve preamp with rca’s of different resistance ( pls excuse my imprecise terminology) so I thought it might be worth while having a similar ability on the Marantz. Or is matching impedance not really that big a deal? By the way the Clear Audio I have is 3.5mV which seems quite a lot more than the 1mV of the Marantz. If not for your advice I would have thought the two incompatible. My reason for starting this is trying to understand what is involved in getting more music from the source. P.s Although I’m set on a Maratz 240 or 250 amp. I’m not certain on the pre. Maybe I should look at a modern valve preamp with that feature? The budget would also be healthier having the $1500 not spent on the 3600.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 1 minute ago, EddieT said: Thanks Zaphod (one of my all time fav characters) Can I ask just for future reference where you got that info? Or is it just something you know? Right out of the (original, paper) 3800 instruction manual. The 3800 and 3600 are identical, with the exception of the Dolby™ facilities fitted to the 3800. 1 minute ago, EddieT said: And would it still be better to get a phono stage with changeable impedance? My budget for this is only $500 so I’m fairly limited for choice in good gear. In all honesty, I was never overly impressed with the 3600/3800 preamps. They used VERY early generation OP amps and performance was never that great. I preferred the earlier, 3300 and 33 preamps, being all discrete. Anyway, it is likely that, depending on the quality of your phono cartridge, that an external phono stage may provide superior performance. That said, the RIAA accuracy in the 3600/3800 was second to none. Marantz used very high quality, close tolerance passives. 1 minute ago, EddieT said: Andyr has helped me sort this on an old valve preamp with rca’s of different resistance ( pls excuse my imprecise terminology) so I thought it might be worth while having a similar ability on the Marantz. Or is matching impedance not really that big a deal? Matching can be important, but it depends on the cartridge. Some are relatively forgiving of loading, whilst others are not. 1 minute ago, EddieT said: By the way the Clear Audio I have is 3.5mV which seems quite a lot more than the 1mV of the Marantz. If not for your advice I would have thought the two incompatible. Nope, that will be fine. 1 minute ago, EddieT said: My reason for starting this is trying to understand what is involved in getting more music from the source. P.s Although I’m set on a Maratz 240 or 250 amp. I’m not certain on the pre. Maybe I should look at a modern valve preamp with that feature? The budget would also be healthier having the $1500 not spent on the 3600. $1,500.00!? Yikes! Geez I sold me 3800 a few years back for way less than that. Smack me in the head someone. As for preamps, I will give you the same advice I give everyone: Don't restrict yourself to valves or SS. Listen to as many different ones as possible. In very general terms, a good SS preamp is likely to give you bigger bang for your Buck. Mostly, but not always.
EddieT Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 Mate that’s a very generous reply and you’ve covered everything. As I kind of like matching gear I will search out those preamps you mentioned but I think it’s gonna be tough to get an audition here. many thanks Ed
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, EddieT said: Mate that’s a very generous reply and you’ve covered everything. As I kind of like matching gear I will search out those preamps you mentioned but I think it’s gonna be tough to get an audition here. many thanks Ed The 33 and 3300 preamps are very rare in Australia. I don't think they were every officially imported into Australia. I saw a couple in for service, but it was a long time ago. I recall being impressed with them at the time. So much so, I bought a 1200b integrated amp, whose preamp section is based on a simplified version of the 3300. The power amp section is, of course, a 240. A really, really nice integrated. Edited February 2, 2019 by Zaphod Beeblebrox
EddieT Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 Hi Zaph? If you have time any actuarial recommendations on the preamps just as a reference? im in a backwater so listening and comparing is not really possible im gonna have to try to make a comparison by sourcing critiques and take a punt which is why I’d prefer going used or vintage. Regards Ed ps realistically I can afford $1k inc extras like interconnects and valves if needed.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 2 hours ago, EddieT said: Hi Zaph? If you have time any actuarial recommendations on the preamps just as a reference? Well, that is difficult for me to say, so I won't. 2 hours ago, EddieT said: im in a backwater so listening and comparing is not really possible Anything is possible. Preamps are generally low mass object and Australia Post delivers pretty much anywhere. You could probably organise a loaner. 2 hours ago, EddieT said: im gonna have to try to make a comparison by sourcing critiques and take a punt which is why I’d prefer going used or vintage. Regards Ed ps realistically I can afford $1k inc extras like interconnects and valves if needed. Sounds reasonable.
Wimbo Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) @EddieT Wow, $1500 on one of those, not me.If you don't mind minimization, hunt around on here. Good builders on here mate. Edited February 3, 2019 by Wimbo
EddieT Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 No I’m not getting it. It just looks good with the amp. just about to look those up thanks
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted February 4, 2019 Posted February 4, 2019 1 hour ago, sensiyat said: Anyone have info on the phono stage of this amp? Will it be fine for any modern moving magnet or iron cartridge? I know it needs a step up for an mcc. See post # 2.
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