hi output MC=not enough gain

[pfcs49]

Using Adcom hi output crosscoil MC VDHII cart OR Bang&Olufsen MMC-1 thru Yamaha C2-x preamp/Krell FPB 300/B&W 801Ns, not enough gain thru MM input.
Can turn volume up fully and, although it's pretty loud, it's nowhere as loud as it could/should be. I've installed 10db attenuaters to Tuner & CD to keep all input levels nearer to each other.
Adcom is 2.3mv@5cm/s, MMC-1 is 2.12mv@5cm/s, however MMC is slightly louder despite lower rated output. If I run the Adcom hi output MC thru the MC input in the pre and engage the -10db phono swx, it sounds pretty good w/1K ohm loading selected, but is now too loud + my second TT is hopelessly weak in MM input (-10db swx in rear of pre affects all phono inputs). I need more gain, but i don't want a complicated solution to running 2 low ouput turntables. Phil

 

[markd51]

Hello Phil,
It's certainly a problem with good compatibility between Cartridges, and Phono Stage, in that it probably is a case of either/or, meaning the MM Phono Input probably offers 47K loading, which would probably work best for these hi-output MC's, but you're of course lacking enough gain through this inout. And as you've found, too hot through the MC Input, and little to no loading options, other than maybe 1K Ohms.

The attenuation as well, you've added to Tuner-CD is probably not "complimenting" the sound either, but just adding another bottleneck to your best sound through these devices, which are no doubt resistors.

It sounds like you have some pretty nice equipment, and I'm afraid the very best solution, is the obvious, you need to buy yourself a good seperate Phono Stage. Or the other obvious answer, which you perhaps don't want to do, is switch to a good MM Cartridge. The latter could be a cheaper option, as there are many good MM Cartridges that don't cost an arm, and a leg.

Sadly, many of the lower end $300-$600 MC Phono Stages offer little as well, as far as flexibility is concerned. In the lower-end scenario, one almost has to buy Phono Stage first, then do research to "hopefully" find a MC Cartridge which is mateable-compatible with said Phono Stage.

Climbing up the MC Phono Stage Ladder, one then usually finds a myriad of both Gain, and Loading options, meaning one is no longer hampered of which MC Cartridge to buy.

One "tries" hopefully to buy more Phono Stage than they need, and while it is hard to fork over the additional cash, it usually helps eliminate obsolecsence. One can then hopefuuly bot be bound by limtations in the Phono Stage, meaning that when the time comes to upgrade to a more expensive MC Cartridge, in which many of the high end MC's are low .2mv-4mv output, the good Phono Stage will already be there, and be able to showcase much better offerings with even better sonics, and a good range of Loading, and Gain Settings.

A very nice Phono Stage that I have known some people to own, that they said had very good sonics, is versatile as for adjustability, would be the PS Audio GCPH, listing at $1K, and can be gotten for less used.

Another. with great versatility, would be the Musical Surroundings Phonomena. Mark

 

[Tedrick]

Using Adcom hi output crosscoil MC VDHII cart OR Bang&Olufsen MMC-1 thru Yamaha C2-x preamp/Krell FPB 300/B&W 801Ns, not enough gain thru MM input.
Can turn volume up fully and, although it's pretty loud, it's nowhere as loud as it could/should be. I've installed 10db attenuaters to Tuner & CD to keep all input levels nearer to each other.
Adcom is 2.3mv@5cm/s, MMC-1 is 2.12mv@5cm/s, however MMC is slightly louder despite lower rated output. If I run the Adcom hi output MC thru the MC input in the pre and engage the -10db phono swx, it sounds pretty good w/1K ohm loading selected, but is now too loud + my second TT is hopelessly weak in MM input (-10db swx in rear of pre affects all phono inputs). I need more gain, but i don't want a complicated solution to running 2 low ouput turntables. Phil

This probably won't help much, but I also have an HC-VdHII that I run through the MM inputs on an Aragon 47K. I have the Aragon's adjustable gain set on 57 dB and cartridge loading is set at 47K ohms, and the output is just fine. I have no knowledge of the Yamaha pre-amp you are using. I found a manual on-line for a C-2a, but not a C-2x. Does the C-2x have adjustable gain and/or loading on the inputs? If it's anything like the C-2a, it seems that both cartridges you have should work just fine on the MM input, which is rated for a 2.5 mV input on the C-2a, with adjustable loading. Is it possible that you have a loading mis-match, as the Adcom likes 47k ohms?