[Big Red Machine]

Manual says that a TT needs to have at least 1.4mv to properly power the preamp.  I have a VOM but what do I measure?  I only have a 20 year old Technics direct drive with a Shure Type 4 V15 cart.  Right now it sounds great but has very little gain.

[TheChairGuy]

I think all the Shure V15's had in excess of 3mv.....plenty enough for your particular (phono) preamp

More info on Shure's here: www.cartridgedb.com

[Big Red Machine]

Can I actually measure it with a VOM?

And why would my volume level be so slow?  Not enough from the TT output or something in the preamp limiting it?

[Toka]

Does the phono input of your preamp have adjustable settings? If so, how are they currently set?

[Big Red Machine]

Only set up for MM cartridges.  My TT output is extremely low so no wonder the pre can't do much more thaqn amplify a very low signal into a low signal.  My CDP has decent output and it tracks as it should with the volume level.  My guessis the TT is the issue.

[Listens2tubes]

This was the same complaint I had with the 2.5mV output of the Dynavector 10X5. I'd have the volume at 1-2 o'clock to get the same sound level as with my old Grado cart set at 10-11 o'clock. At such high volume levels you're getting into other nasties too.  Ended up with a Karat 17D2MKII at .26mV into a pair of Orofon 10-5 transformers with 26db of gain. Now you want to hear fast, dynamic wide and deep?  All that's left is getting the VTA on the fly (VTAF)  set up and then you got it all!  aa  Enjoy!