markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
There came a point for me that I was forced to go separate because I chose to go to an MC Cartridge.
Way back when I was messing with Shure V-15 III, AT-14 and AT-15, maybe a Stanton in there too, they were of course all Moving Magnet. And whatever Mac-etc Preamp, Receivers I went through, and there was quite a few mid 70's, the internal phono stages were adequate.
Might I believe that MM isn't quite as demanding of a phono stage versus other types? Perhaps, a 1 size works for all.
First MC was the Benz Micro Glider, hi output ($550 street price) Probably wasn't the best choice in the Glider line, as even the HO model, was rated at 2.2mv, but factory tested at 1.8mv.
It surely did not have the output to work with vintage internal Phono Stages. So here we again, a McCormack (sp) Micro Phono Drive, there went another $550. (street price) I now had adequate gain, and ran it at 47.5K Ohms loading.
Not uncommon that HO MC Cartridges above 1mv behave like an MM in regards to loading.
I got good use from the cartridge before it broke, but before it broke (fell apart) I did get to test it with the Sutherland PHD I then just bought.
Nothing else was changed in the system. I forget the gain I used, maybe 50db and 47.5K loading.
The difference in sound was quite striking to say the least. Silent in operation, in fact startling, Sounds came from a much blacker background. Sonics had greater purity, less hash and veiling,
What always happens in such a case with a new component thrill-experience, is you're grabbing record after record, and going on for hours listening, and re-discovering music.
I noted much greater separation and individuality of instruments and voices, yet also said to myself how much greater the integration of a performance was, the soundstage finally sounded right!
Maybe 12 LPs the first listening session give or take.
What was totally confounding, is I'm pulling out ancient LPs that I know are treasures and favs, and hearing them like I never had before.
One, an old pressing of Patsy Cline, and it's like she's right in the room! "She's Got You" blew my mind!
Another one up, was Mamas and Papas, and I'm listening to "Got a Feeling". And others off that LP, put a huge smile on my face!
After the Glider fell apart in 2 pieces that the body and base were merely glued together with a drop of glue, I traded it dead, and bought the Benz Micro Ruby 3.
Of course adjustments had to be made, went to 60db gain, and 200 ohms initially. Crap for the first 10-12 hours, but break-in occurred and the Ruby was sounding pretty darn good, seemed purity and smoothness took another leap from the Glider. Great, fleshy warmth, rich. But there was that Benz House sound.
Way back when I was messing with Shure V-15 III, AT-14 and AT-15, maybe a Stanton in there too, they were of course all Moving Magnet. And whatever Mac-etc Preamp, Receivers I went through, and there was quite a few mid 70's, the internal phono stages were adequate.
Might I believe that MM isn't quite as demanding of a phono stage versus other types? Perhaps, a 1 size works for all.
First MC was the Benz Micro Glider, hi output ($550 street price) Probably wasn't the best choice in the Glider line, as even the HO model, was rated at 2.2mv, but factory tested at 1.8mv.
It surely did not have the output to work with vintage internal Phono Stages. So here we again, a McCormack (sp) Micro Phono Drive, there went another $550. (street price) I now had adequate gain, and ran it at 47.5K Ohms loading.
Not uncommon that HO MC Cartridges above 1mv behave like an MM in regards to loading.
I got good use from the cartridge before it broke, but before it broke (fell apart) I did get to test it with the Sutherland PHD I then just bought.
Nothing else was changed in the system. I forget the gain I used, maybe 50db and 47.5K loading.
The difference in sound was quite striking to say the least. Silent in operation, in fact startling, Sounds came from a much blacker background. Sonics had greater purity, less hash and veiling,
What always happens in such a case with a new component thrill-experience, is you're grabbing record after record, and going on for hours listening, and re-discovering music.
I noted much greater separation and individuality of instruments and voices, yet also said to myself how much greater the integration of a performance was, the soundstage finally sounded right!
Maybe 12 LPs the first listening session give or take.
What was totally confounding, is I'm pulling out ancient LPs that I know are treasures and favs, and hearing them like I never had before.
One, an old pressing of Patsy Cline, and it's like she's right in the room! "She's Got You" blew my mind!
Another one up, was Mamas and Papas, and I'm listening to "Got a Feeling". And others off that LP, put a huge smile on my face!
After the Glider fell apart in 2 pieces that the body and base were merely glued together with a drop of glue, I traded it dead, and bought the Benz Micro Ruby 3.
Of course adjustments had to be made, went to 60db gain, and 200 ohms initially. Crap for the first 10-12 hours, but break-in occurred and the Ruby was sounding pretty darn good, seemed purity and smoothness took another leap from the Glider. Great, fleshy warmth, rich. But there was that Benz House sound.
