[orientalexpress]

love the sound but my minimax pre is not loud enough.what to do?what other phono pre can match that output?any help .Thanks
 


lapsan

[neobop]

Minimax phono:
Specifications
Nominal input sensitivity: MM 15mV / MC 4mV
Maximum Input: MM 150mV / MC 40mV
Nominal Output: 2000mV
Maximum Output: 20V
Gain (1 KHZ) : MM 42dB / MC 57dB
Input resistance: 47K ohms (MM) 100 ohms ( MC high ) 47 ohms ( MC low )
Signal to Noise: MM 90dB / MC 87dB
Distortion: 0.1 %
Frequency response: +0dB / -25dB 10Hz-25KHz
Power consumption: 15VA
Measurement: 12.5 inches w/ 8.5 D/ 5.0 H

Jasmine :
Gain @1KHz: MM = 55dB; MC = 70dB.
http://www.jasmineaudio.net/lp2.html

Nighthawk:
Two independent rotary switches, each with six increments of gains, from 40db-74db, per channel.

Ray Samuels also has a XR-2. I'm not sure of the gain, but it's probably the same. It's a couple of hundred more, around $1K. It plugs in the wall rather than battery operated.
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/xr-2

There might be other phono stages that could match that kind of gain. I don't know of them. Most phono stages don't have a volume control. I don't know how you're using it. The PS Audio GCPH has up to 66dB with a volume control.
http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/gcph-phono-preamplifier?cat=

neo

[orientalexpress]

when i first hook FR MC201 up,it's sound great and then the next day the volume is gone low.and That sound i couldn't get it out it of my head.Now i try to get that sound back with different phono pre ,Maybe a better match. my other 2 low output MC i have is Benze ACE and Dynvector is sound great with my minimax but their output Voltage is 0.4Mv.FR MC201 sound great compare to the other 2 i have.oh well,At least my Empire MC5M should be arriving soon.



lapsan

[bastlnut]

hallo,

you can always find a FR step up to increase the gain for the MM input of the Minimax.
the Empire MC5M is a cartridge that favorably compares to the FR.
you should like it. don't use too high VTF as the sound suffers, back it down till it sounds light and not plodding and heavy.

regards,
bas

[orientalexpress]

Thank you.



lapsan

[bastlnut]

hallo,

a few more comments on the Empire MC5M, i just happened to have on on a TT that i am testing.
it is tracking perfectly at 1,4g VTF, tonearm eff. mass is 12,5g. 
loading needs to be 300ohm, any less and it makes the sound stage shrink.....have not gone higher as it is sooooo good at 300 where 200 and less took the bite and size out of the sound.
20db gain is also enough if you are using a step up.

backtracking a bit, the FR MC201 should be fine with 28db gain, 26db will also work.
use standard 100 ohm loading and track at 1,8g.....i do with a unipivot and a 18g tonearm.
the MC201 wont top one of the better Supex of the same generation, and not a Koetsu either.
the Empire should be close and give more weight to the instruments, but a somewhat smaller sound stage.

regards,
bas

[orientalexpress]

holy crap,This Empire cartright Rock.sound so much better then other one i have.


lapsan

[bastlnut]

hallo,

are you loading the cartridge at 300 ohm?
VTF 1,4g?
it is a good cartridge, too bad they are all gone except for a few.
glad that i have a couple still...one needs a new suspension though.

regards,
bas

[orientalexpress]

i decided to use a cenema step up on MM on my mini,there are 2 loading switch on there ,i'm not sure what there rating at,the VTF is 1.4.But is sound sweet.especially classical and jazz.Thanks again


lapsan