pantera_rapida
Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2021
- Messages
- 22
- Likes
- 8
I have some questions around cart output voltage, in this case as it pertains to vintage (1970's) Receivers and Phono.
My first TT is a Lenco (with mods) with a stock arm that came with a Nagaoka Nagaoka MP-11 cart which had around 5 mV output. Next I installed a 9" NOS tonearm Esoter Track 10 (same as the Jelco SA-250T) which came with an Ortofon Red cart which has 5.5 mV.
Both these arms/carts worked well, and the volume level on the amp was good at 1/3rd (midway between 9 o'clock and 12). Any volume beyond that and it just got too loud for the room. In comparison I liked the MP-11 better, smoother and richer. The Red issued some harsh upper register tones (trumpets for one) and at times sounded a bit rougher overall.
Next up was an upgrade to a Nagaoka MP-500 cart on the Esoter arm, this one is down to 3 mV. Amazing smooth sound, no harshness, full body, but here I began to notice I had to turn up the volume to get it to where the previous 2 carts were at.
Now I have another Lenco which has a VPI JMW-12 3D 12" Tonearm and a Soundsmith The Voice Moving Iron cartridge, this one is even lower at 2.12 mV. Here's where I find I need even more volume. I get amazing detail, but the low end hits/punch I'd get with the other carts (bass, drums) is not quite there.
Why are each cartridges different output? If these MM/MI go in mV number is it because lower gives you better sound? Do I now need a phono stage with different gain? Or would a Receiver with more power output (I have a Kenwood KR-9600 being worked on) fare better?
My first TT is a Lenco (with mods) with a stock arm that came with a Nagaoka Nagaoka MP-11 cart which had around 5 mV output. Next I installed a 9" NOS tonearm Esoter Track 10 (same as the Jelco SA-250T) which came with an Ortofon Red cart which has 5.5 mV.
Both these arms/carts worked well, and the volume level on the amp was good at 1/3rd (midway between 9 o'clock and 12). Any volume beyond that and it just got too loud for the room. In comparison I liked the MP-11 better, smoother and richer. The Red issued some harsh upper register tones (trumpets for one) and at times sounded a bit rougher overall.
Next up was an upgrade to a Nagaoka MP-500 cart on the Esoter arm, this one is down to 3 mV. Amazing smooth sound, no harshness, full body, but here I began to notice I had to turn up the volume to get it to where the previous 2 carts were at.
Now I have another Lenco which has a VPI JMW-12 3D 12" Tonearm and a Soundsmith The Voice Moving Iron cartridge, this one is even lower at 2.12 mV. Here's where I find I need even more volume. I get amazing detail, but the low end hits/punch I'd get with the other carts (bass, drums) is not quite there.
Why are each cartridges different output? If these MM/MI go in mV number is it because lower gives you better sound? Do I now need a phono stage with different gain? Or would a Receiver with more power output (I have a Kenwood KR-9600 being worked on) fare better?