Review and Measurements of Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Preamp

[Chester]

I need me to get one of those, but they are rare in the used markets here


I don't understand, 74dB of noise (MM) is 6dB smaller than 80dB of noise (MC)?

Sorry, I missed the (all
Important minus) -74dB and -80dB

 

[TheBatsEar]

Sorry, I missed the (all
Important minus) -74dB and -80dB

Can't explain it then either. I too would expect more noise with MC.

 

[Chester]

Thanks anyway @TheBatsEar .

Any of you analog experts out there able to offer any advice or thoughts on this one?

Much appreciated.

 

[BIGB]

Hi All,

I have a Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Preamp, and I am planning to buy an MC Cartridge Denon DL-103R, will it be ok technically?
Specs for DL-103R : Output Voltage - 0.25 mV and Output Impedance - 14 ohms.

Thanks,

 

[Angsty]

Yes. The Duo has sufficient MC gain and the MC loading at 100 ohms is okay per Denon.

https://www.denon.com/-/media/files/documentmaster/denonna/dl-103r-om-e_003.pdf

 

[Angsty]

Can anyone help me understand what’s going on with my Cambridge Duo.

I have it plugged into an RME ADI-2 Pro. I noticed that MC mode had a lower noise floor that MM. MC was about 80dB while MM was 74dB. With my limited knowledge, I had expected MM to be quieter?

I disconnected everything and tried just the Duo and RME connected, to see if anything changed. It did not.

Is this expected or could something be broken?

Thanks

Chester

Are those figures for the Duo? Where did you find them? This is what Amir said in the review:

“Bottom line, you have to use a lot more gain with MC input and that translates into nearly 20 dB higher noise level.”

 

[attaboy]

I just picked up a Duo yesterday, and was a little worried about the headphone amp based on the review here. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 380 Pro headphones, which are rated at 54 Ω, so mid-to-low impedance. I have the Duo connected to a Pro-Ject turntable with an Ortofon 2M red cartridge (MM). The headphones sound terrific plugged into the Duo, with plenty of power to spare and no perceptible difference in response than when I plug them into other adequately-powered headphone amps. So at least for me, the lack of headphone power has proven to be of no concern.

 

[Nippithon]

BTW, has someone found a way to disable the auto-off feature? Annoys me a bit, i always start to play the record and then wonder why there is no music.

I don't own one but the user manual (p3) says:

DISABLING THE AUTO POWER DOWN
If you wish to disable the APD function, then press and hold the power button for 5 seconds when in standby.

 

[Robert C]

The Duo is currently on sale at £200.

 

[TheBatsEar]

The Duo is currently on sale at £200.

I have one, it's a solid device.

 

[Ciobi69]

The Duo is currently on sale at £200.

where? here in italy is still expensive

 

[Robert C]

where? here in italy is still expensive

The Cambridge Audio website, Amazon UK, Richer Sounds.

 

[rolloj]

I know you are in Italy, but you can look at Ebay USA and find the unit (refurbished) for $199.00 Free shipping, but I think that is for US only

 

[TheBatsEar]

There is a used Duo for sale for 150€, in Rome/Italy. Chances are high that the seller agrees to shipping, because the device is small:

Cambridge Audio DUO stadio fono | Subito

Vendo stadio fono Cambridge audio duo. Si possono applicare testine MM oppure MC. Si può anche collegare una cuffia. Non faccio spedizioni. La vendita è possibile solo su Roma e provincia. Chi è interessato deve verificare di persona a casa mia il bu

www.subito.it

I have mine, but maybe someone else hunts for one.

 

[TheBatsEar]

I don't own one but the user manual (p3) says:

DISABLING THE AUTO POWER DOWN
If you wish to disable the APD function, then press and hold the power button for 5 seconds when in standby.

That worked, thanks a bunch.

 

[Angsty]

There is a used Duo for sale for 150€, in Rome/Italy. Chances are high that the seller agrees to shipping, because the device is small:

Cambridge Audio DUO stadio fono | Subito

Vendo stadio fono Cambridge audio duo. Si possono applicare testine MM oppure MC. Si può anche collegare una cuffia. Non faccio spedizioni. La vendita è possibile solo su Roma e provincia. Chi è interessato deve verificare di persona a casa mia il bu

www.subito.it

I have mine, but maybe someone else hunts for one.

Thanks - I sent this over to another thread from a guy in Italy who was looking to upgrade his phono.

 

[Paul Thurston]

Just a quick note to say thank you for the review. I bought one to replace my knackered old Musical Fidelity X-PHONO after reading it and it's a brilliant bit of kit.

 

[Plyske]

Hello!

I have a NAD 368 amp, Technics 1210mk2 turntable with a Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.

I have though about getting a phono pre amp since I'm not totally satisfied with the built-in one.

Would the Cambridge Duo fit - and work well - in this setup? Or should I look for something else?

 

[TheBatsEar]

Would the Cambridge Duo fit

Yes, and it's an excellent phono-preamp. You would have lots of room to grow by using different cartridges.
It supports MM and MC cartridges, but there should be a cheaper version that only supports MM, maybe save some money towards a few more new LPs?

 

[Plyske]

Yes, and it's an excellent phono-preamp. You would have lots of room to grow by using different cartridges.
It supports MM and MC cartridges, but there should be a cheaper version that only supports MM, maybe save some money towards a few more new LPs?
View attachment 298342

Thanks a lot for your reply.

I the nearer future I've thought about getting an Ortofon Concorde 40. That one would also fit with the Cambridge Duo, right?