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C33 phono stage question

LotusFool

LotusFool

Well-Known Member
I have a C33 and am using it's phono stage. I currently run a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III which has an output of 2.5 mV. This seems to sound good to me. I am looking for a new cart which I will run through the C33. The C33 manual says;

"Sensitivity of the phono stage is 2mv for 2.5V rated output"

Does this mean I should get a cart with 2mV output?
What amount of output is the c33 looking for?

I don't want to make a mistake here and buy the wrong cart.
Thanks,
Gary
 
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The C-33 input sensitivity is 2.0 mv as you say, but the phono section can handle 100 mv before distorting, so that gives over 30 db of latitude before you can get your self into real trouble. Pop Records can have normally a 6db of peak energy where Classical recordings and Jazz recordings may have 10 db peaks and some times higher, so it would take some very rare combinations of things to happen before you would hear any signs of strain from the phono section. I guarantee you will have amp and speaker issues before you will have pre-amp issues, if the system is connected properly and the sensitivity of the amplifiers is set properly to match the preamp 2.5 volt output.
 
Thanks guys,

The carts I have been looking at are low output mc carts which have as little as .2mV and .8mV output, and too little output from these carts is what worries me.
So a better question should of been;

What would be the minimum output of a cart, I should consider when using the phono stage of my c-33.

I'm sorry I was un-clear.
Gary
 
LotusFool said:
Thanks guys,

The carts I have been looking at are low output mc carts which have as little as .2mV and .8mV output, and too little output from these carts is what worries me.
So a better question should of been;

What would be the minimum output of a cart, I should consider when using the phono stage of my c-33.

I'm sorry I was un-clear.
Gary
Click to expand...


The C33 has only a MM (moving magnet) capability. If you wish to use Moving coil low output carts then you will need a step up transformer or a suitable external phono stage connected to an AUX input. DO NOT connect an outboard phono stages line level outputs to the phono input of your C33.
 
I suggest this for low output MC carts

s-l300.jpg
 
Thanks guys,
You have confirmed my suspicions!
My old tt uses a Sumiko 2.5 mV MC and sounds good through the c33 phono stage. But the carts I've been looking at are .2 & .8mV. and are probably not worth considering from what you say here, unless I want to buy a new phono stage (which I can't do this year, as I have already spent my wad on a new tt.
So a good choice for a new cart (using the c33 stage) would be a high output MC, or go to MM.
 
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