Step-up transformers vs Phono stages.

[Artslap]

Hello,

 

Another technical question.

 

I'm looking at a step-up transformer for my MC Cart.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Also does a step-up nullify the need for a phono stage or are they used in conjunction?

 

Confused????

 

(All replies gratefully received, edited, assimilated, compiled and then probably thrown out and I'll make up my own mind!!!)

 

CP.

[cheekyboy]

Hi CP,

 

What's your budget for starters and you'll need a step up from a MM only phono stage to use a LOMC cart, or, a dedicated MC phono stage will not require a SUT.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

[Batty]

I have both, I use a SUT into the MM input on my integrated amp and a phono stage into a line input.

This allows me to use 2 TTs with my amp. 

[lovetube]

Hello,

 

Another technical question.

 

I'm looking at a step-up transformer for my MC Cart.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Also does a step-up nullify the need for a phono stage or are they used in conjunction?

 

Confused????

 

(All replies gratefully received, edited, assimilated, compiled and then probably thrown out and I'll make up my own mind!!!)

 

CP.

 

Hi CP.

you need step up transformer if your MC cartridge 0.9mv or less and your phono stage doesn't have enough gain . it also serve as impedance matching for the cartridge to work properly .

so yes the step up transformer work in conjunction of the phono stage and the linestage .

list your cartridge and your phono stage and I can give you more details on which step up transformer you might need for your setup

regards

Duc

[andyr]

Hello,

 

Another technical question.

 

I'm looking at a step-up transformer for my MC Cart.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Also does a step-up nullify the need for a phono stage or are they used in conjunction?

 

Confused????

 

(All replies gratefully received, edited, assimilated, compiled and then probably thrown out and I'll make up my own mind!!!)

 

CP.

 

Dear 'confused',

 

A LOMC (low output moving coil) cartridge typically has an output of 0.3 - 0.5mV.  In contrast, a HOMM (high output moving magnet) cartridge has 4 - 5mV output.

 

A phono stage does 2 things:

1. correct for the skewed frequency response inherent in the RIAA recording standard, and
2. provide lots of gain.

A SUT (step up transformer) or an active 'head amp' only provides gain.

 

Some phono stages only have enough gain to handle HOMMs - these typically have 40dB of gain @ 1KHz.  If you use a a LOMC with one of these phono stages, you need an amplifying device between the cartridge and the phono stage - hence the need for a SUT or head amp.  Other phono stages have more gain (say 55 - 60dB) so they can be used directly with a 'normal' LOMC.  (I say 'normal' because there are MCs which only have 0.1mV output - so these need a phono stage with even more gain ... or you use a SUT / head amp in front of a normal LOMC phono stage.)

 

 

Regards,

 

Andy

Edited August 24, 2013 by andyr

[Artslap]

Hi,

 

Otofon kontrapunkt b - 0,47mV

 

Running an Audio Improvement LS2a Valve pre-amp with a gain of 3.2 and max output of 10V

 

Do you need any other figures?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Artslap

[Guest Muon]

Correct me if wrong, but that pre amp has no phono stage.

 

So you either need a MM phono stage in combination with step up transformers, or a phono stage that caters for MC.. or MM & MC.

[lovetube]

Hi,

 

Otofon kontrapunkt b - 0,47mV

 

Running an Audio Improvement LS2a Valve pre-amp with a gain of 3.2 and max output of 10V

 

Do you need any other figures?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris.

 

Hi Chris.

the specs of your preamp doesn't ring the belts.

your cartridge is consider a low output MC with Internal impedance of 5 ohms .

cheers

Duc

[Artslap]

My apologies.

 

Missed the Linn Linto.

 

CP.

[lovetube]

My apologies.

 

Missed the Linn Linto.

 

CP.

 

Hi Chris.

the phono you use have a high gain setting and it provided 64Db of gain , it should work fine with your Ortofon cartridge .

no step up or head-amp needed in your case

regards

Duc

[Artslap]

Excellent.