[macman82]

I have a new Rega P3-24 turntable with the Dynavector 10x5 cartridge.  I am using the MM phono stage that is built in to my McIntosh MX120 processor.  When I play records I need to turn the volume way up (about twice as much as other inputs).  When I try to record on my cassette deck, the record level is pegged and I still do not get enough recording signal to be useful on other playback equipment.  My cartridge is high output 2.5mV moving coil type and the phone preamp section is for MM.  So I assume my problem is I need to add a phono preamp.  If this is the case, since the output of the cartridge is so high, what type of controls am I looking for in such a preamp (resistance values, etc.) in order to match to these pieces?  I am new to this, so may not have stated my problem adequately.  Any input would be appreciated.

[lazydays]

first thing to check is to see if you have the cables hooked up right in the tape loop. After you do this check to see if the cables comming off of the tone arm are in the right place.
gary

[richidoo]

The MX-120 phono section specs:
INPUT SENSITIVITY - Phono: 1mV for 500mV output
VOLTAGE GAIN - Phono to Preamp Output: 54dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE - Phono: 47K Ohms

Your cart's peak output is 2.5mV, so normal music level is less. So you are probably not getting the normal 2V output that your cassette recorder would like.

You already have a decent phono preamp, you just need a MC step-up transformer. Art Dudley has reviewed many of them over the years.
http://www.kandkaudio.com/mccartsetup.html
http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

[orthobiz]

Or the new Musical Fidelity V-LPS for 200, accepts MC. You would put it through another input, not use your regular phono, but for transfers, the price is right! OK review by Sam Tellig in this month's Stereophile. But he started out the little section on this unit about how little he uses his phono. Disgraceful, eh? A non-believer. Vinyl rules!!!!

Paul

[macman82]

The MX-120 phono section specs:
INPUT SENSITIVITY - Phono: 1mV for 500mV output
VOLTAGE GAIN - Phono to Preamp Output: 54dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE - Phono: 47K Ohms

Your cart's peak output is 2.5mV, so normal music level is less. So you are probably not getting the normal 2V output that your cassette recorder would like.

You already have a decent phono preamp, you just need a MC step-up transformer. Art Dudley has reviewed many of them over the years.
http://www.kandkaudio.com/mccartsetup.html
http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

Thanks.  I think that is my issue.  I can record fine on any other input.  And I am getting signal on my record path, but it is not enough.  I am looking at used phono preamps because I thought I could obtain better impedance matching for various cartidges and by-pass the Mac phono stage.  But if the quality of the mac phono stage is top notch, maybe a step up transformer is the way to go.  If so, what capabilities of this hardware would I be looking for?

[doug s.]

The MX-120 phono section specs:
INPUT SENSITIVITY - Phono: 1mV for 500mV output
VOLTAGE GAIN - Phono to Preamp Output: 54dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE - Phono: 47K Ohms

Your cart's peak output is 2.5mV, so normal music level is less. So you are probably not getting the normal 2V output that your cassette recorder would like.

You already have a decent phono preamp, you just need a MC step-up transformer. Art Dudley has reviewed many of them over the years.
http://www.kandkaudio.com/mccartsetup.html
http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

i have to disagree w/this analysis.  the way i read those specs is even a 1mv fono cartridge should have enough output to drive the preamp.  your fono cartridge's 2.5mv output has even more gain than needed.  the mac should be able to work w/even medium output mc's, as well as your mc cartridge.  54db woltage gain is plenty healthy for a 2.5mv rated cartridge.  and, note the line level input calls for 100mv to reach 500mv output.

i don't think you need a step-up, i think you have something connected wrong, or something is wrong w/either your fono cartridge, preamp, or?

doug s.

[Listens2tubes]

The 10X5 is a medium output cart, 5mV is a normal MM spec. My 10X5 always needed more gain to match the other components in my system, volume wise.

[doug s.]

The 10X5 is a medium output cart, 5mV is a normal MM spec. My 10X5 always needed more gain to match the other components in my system, volume wise.

still, the mac mx120 should work fine w/cartridges as low as 1mv output.  unless the specs are overly optimistic...

doug s.

[macman82]

I have no real issues with MX120 giving enough volume for the turntable.  The issue is what the cassette recorder is looking for in terms of input.  Although it does seem that there may exist another possibly related problem:  with the volume turned up so much to listen to phono sources, I can detect a faint rumble- maybe this is because of the inordinate amount of gain applied from the processor.  Oy!

[doug s.]

I have no real issues with MX120 giving enough volume for the turntable.  The issue is what the cassette recorder is looking for in terms of input.  Although it does seem that there may exist another possibly related problem:  with the volume turned up so much to listen to phono sources, I can detect a faint rumble- maybe this is because of the inordinate amount of gain applied from the processor.  Oy!

i would query mcintosh about it.  it does seem odd, especially since you have enough gain for listening to winyl, and that recording other line sources seems to be ok...  i am not at all familiar w/this mac processor piece, as to why turning up the gain would introduce any other noise.

doug s.

[macman82]

I have no real issues with MX120 giving enough volume for the turntable.  The issue is what the cassette recorder is looking for in terms of input.  Although it does seem that there may exist another possibly related problem:  with the volume turned up so much to listen to phono sources, I can detect a faint rumble- maybe this is because of the inordinate amount of gain applied from the processor.  Oy!

i would query mcintosh about it.  it does seem odd, especially since you have enough gain for listening to winyl, and that recording other line sources seems to be ok...  i am not at all familiar w/this mac processor piece, as to why turning up the gain would introduce any other noise.

doug s.

The Mac preamp sends the signal from the phono input to record out unaltered.  So the recorder needs to see more voltage than I was getting from the high output MC cartridge.  I ended up getting a good used Audio Research PH5 phono stage and this solved my problem and also added some clarity to my analog front end.  Thanks for your input!