Hi all,
I'm enjoying getting to know the CA1. I'm 15-20 hours in and I have some specific impressions, which I will share after a bit more time.
For now though, a quick question regarding the gain staging of the phono section. I'm using a Sumiko Olympia on a Pro-Ject X1. Loudspeakers are Definitive Technology DR7 towers. The Olympia cart has an output of 4mV and the DTs have a sensitivity of 90dB. Through the CA1, I'm finding 82-90dB-SPL in my 25 x 30 well-controlled space requires the volume pot to be between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock, depending on source, which is a fair amount more than previous preamp/amp scenarios I have had with the same front and back end. It feels like the CA1 is barely breaking a sweat and the dynamics are sensational, but I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing the same thing and what the engineers at AVA describe as normal / optimal. I ask this because I want to upgrade to the Moonstone stylus in the Oyster Sumiko line, but it's output is only 3mV, so to get the same range of levels I'll need to go 6dB past the 2 o'clock mark to 3 o'clock or more. As far as I know, there are no published input and output sensitivity readings regarding the phono stage from AVA for the CA1, so it's hard to make calculations. But, something about having to push the amplitude attenuator to 75% of its total throw feels off to me. Line level inputs are what I expected. I'm really enamored with the clarity and overall balanced presentation and am excited to begin tweaks, so any ideas from the group or AVA are most welcome.
Best,
John
