[Toka]

Hi all...I did some searching on the topic but didn't see a solid answer. The question is...what is the minimum output voltage I should be looking for in a phono cartridge when used with the Ultra EC preamp (with the phono option, of course)? I'm currently looking at the Ortofon X5 MC, which has an output of 2mV. I prefer MC over MM, but would obviously need a higher output in this case (would like to avoid a step-up transformer if at all possible). Any info appreciated! 

[Wayner]

Franks equipment requires MM. you will need a pre-amp if you go with a low micro-volt moving coil cartridge.

Wayner

[avahifi]

2 mV should work OK with any of our peamps.

Frank

[Toka]

Frank,


Thanks! Wayner...the MC's I'm looking at are all 2mV or higher...not .2 or anything that low. Was also considering a Sumiko Blackbird, which outputs a little higher.

[Wayner]

Oops, my mistake.  I thought you wrote .2 mv. I'm running a Sumiko Blue Point Special into my AVA Omega III EC with no problem. That cartridge has an output of 2.5mv. It is a MC hybrid with 47,000k ohm loading. Sounds Great!

Wayner

[Toka]

Wayner, no worries! 


Glad to hear you enjoy the BPS...the only negatives I could ever find about Sumiko were that some found them too bright, but I'm guessing running through tubes will tame that just enough. I really gotta find a bag of money somewhere, the more I try to map out my system the more out-of-control it gets...will probably (make that 'hopefully') end up with a VPI Scoutmaster TT with the Blackbird along for the ride.

[Toka]

Further questions concerning the phono input (Ultra EC in particular)...should I be at all concerned with a cartridge's load resistance/capacitance? I'm still trying to figure this all out but one TT/cartridge that is getting a lot of my attention lately (due to its price/reliability) is a KAB modded Technics with the Groovemaster II AE cart. Its specs are as follows:

Output: 3mV@ 5cm/S
Coil Resistance: 800 Ohms
Coil Inductance: 800 mH
Load Resistance: 47K - 75K Ohm
Load Capacitance: 200 pF


Would that work ok? The output would be fine of course but its the others I'm not so sure about. Thanks again for all the help!