|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 15 Registered: Feb-09 | Hi Today, I found an old turntable in my uncle's garage and wanted to give it a try. It turned out that I need a prephono amp and a pair of phono cables. Here's my question; Can I connect turntable to prephono amp to my power amp directly? Or, do I need another preamp that has a phonostage built-in between phono pre and my power amp? I dont have a preamp at this moment. I just use DAC to power amp without preamp. I'm very confused. Also, what would be a good phono preamp that I can use under $200? It looks like the table has old yamaha mc cartridge in it. Please help me!! I'm dying to listen to my newly inherited records!! Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge! Ben |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 16 Registered: Feb-09 | I just realized that there are many threads that discussed the same issue. I'll do some more readings, meanwhile, if anyone can recommend me a decent prephono amp under $200, I would appreciate it. Thanks! Ben |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13380 Registered: May-04 | . Place "phono preamplifier" in a search engine. I don't remember Yamaha ever producing a moving coil cartridge. |
|
Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 661 Registered: Jun-08 | Goldring I believe produces a good phono stage that's affordable. Goldring is out of the U.K. but you should be able to find a U.S. dealer. They make phono cartridges that are quite well respected so you should be safe. Or you could spend a little more for a Jolida. |
|
Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 662 Registered: Jun-08 | There's a selection to pick from at needle doctor. They are a reputable supplier and the prices are reasonable, usually: http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Preamps;jsessionid=0a0109441f43f34109178d01456abdc2d5e2c6c243a6.e3eTaxmKbNaNe34Pa38Ta38 Oaxr0 |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 17 Registered: Feb-09 | Jan- I think it's Yamaha MC-1X. I've read that Audio-Technica had built these cartridges for Yamaha in old days from another forum, but I'm not sure how accurate that information is. Thanks, George! I'm thinking about saving a bit more on the phono preamp and go for a Jolida, or a Lehmann Black Cube. I think I can find them used around 350-400. Once I get to know better about TT set-up, I'd like to upgrade to a decent set-up someday. I just came back from a friend's who had a Michell Gyrodec SE turntable with Linn ittok 7 arm and a cartridge from Benz (not sure what kind, or how expensive it was, though). It was a mind boggling experience!! Now, I know why epople are getting into vinyl and go through whole bunch of trouble with vinyl over "push-a-button." CDP! From my understanding, I need a preamp to amplify the low-gain signal from MC cartridge, but if I have a dedicated phono preamp, isn't that enough to boost up the signal and feed directly to my poweramp? Thanks in advance for any help! Ben |
|
Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 11667 Registered: Dec-04 | It is Ben, but you need a volume control in there somewhere. |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13381 Registered: May-04 | . I don't remember that cartridge but Audio Technica did not build mc's for their own line. The AT cartridges could be defined as "moving iron" systems which still provide the higher output of a moving magnet system. You'll need some idea of how much voltage your cartridge is outputting before you invest in a phono pre amp. I wouldn't invest in a phono pre amp that provided the gain for a low output mc if I wasn't using a low output mc. I would also say any cartridge that is over 10 years old is a risky venture. First, cartridge design has improved significantly in the last decade allowing a better cartridge at a lower price. Second, the rubber suspension of the cantilever could have dried out and the entire suspension of the cartridge could collapse while playing a disc, sending the stylus into the record groove like a chisel until you can dig it out. You might want to consider a new cartridge along with your new phono pre amp. There are a few cartridges under $200 that offer exceptional value. . |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 18 Registered: Feb-09 | Jan- I made a mistake on the model. It is actually "MC-700," It has a unibody(metal case, might be aluminum). I've tried to look it up online, but couldnt find anything on it. I've found a couple of reviews on MC-600, and 600's output voltage was 0.3mv. I assume 700 would be the same. Also, if it's 0.3mv, what kind of gain from phono preamp do I need to be able to plug in straight to power amp without adding another preamp? Any recommendation on this? The whole table is old and shows some signs of age, but the cartridge itself looks brand new. (It was stored separately for a long time), after more careful inspection under magnifying scope, my more experienced friend concluded that it looks almost brand new without much of usage. This table has an arm called "Linn Ittok LV II" which I don't know much about, but looks brand new as well. What kind of MM cartridges can you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help! Ben |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13384 Registered: May-04 | . With 0.3mV of output you'll need every bit of gain you can afford. At least 55-60dB worth. Storing the cartridge is the same as using the cartridge when it comes to the rubber suspension drying out. After about ten years of age you take your chances. You can get on a search engine for several retailers to find acceptable cartridges in your price range. Start with Music Direct and Needle Doctor. After you've found a cartridge you believe you'd like spend some time searching for retailers of that line. I can't recommend a line of cartridges for you, you'll need to decide what you care to hear. The retailers will have fairly good descriptions of how a cartridge is expected to sound. . |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13385 Registered: May-04 | . You'll still need something that will allow you to adjust volume levels. Either a phono section with a volume control or a pre amp. |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 19 Registered: Feb-09 | Jan-thanks again! |
|
Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 11683 Registered: Dec-04 | Ben, if you watch close, you might find something like this and like it! http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/117557-ear_834l_with_tube_phono_stage_mm_ _volume_control_price_reduced/ |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13388 Registered: May-04 | . The Bellari has a variable gain control and is about $200. It will only accept mm cartridges however. http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=slv8-hptb5&p=bellari+phono+preamp&Spe llState=n-2919091457_q-kalCnlyL.DulcsFiAjSOwgAAAA%40%40&fr2=sp-top . |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 20 Registered: Feb-09 | Jan & Nuck- Thanks! I should start looking at phonostage with a volume control. At this moment, I don't have enough budget to get another preamp on top of "unexpected" extra cost of a cartridge. It is most likely that my yamaha cartridge is over 10 years old, if not closes to 20 :-) We played this turntable at my uncle's place for about an hour without any issues. What would be the worst scenario of using an old cartridge with a bad suspension? Destroying your record? I mean, if my cartridge is almost as good as a piece of crap in a garbage can (with dried up suspension), what else would I loose by using it until it breaks down completely? Also, my friend is willing to let me have his Clearaudio Virtouso Wood Cartridge with less than 100hours for $300. My max budget would be $300 new/used for a cartridge. Basically, I would like to stay under $500 for both cartridge and phonestage. I'd like to get some advice on a combo within my budget. I would like to have a "fun" and "musical" sound. More of a generalist than a specialist. I'm not sure if I'm making any sense here. I just want to have a sound that will make my toes tapping without getting into the details of how big the soundstage, or how much of details it brings. This whole process of turntable thing itself is "fun" for me. Cleaning up the record, and pay more attention to what you are doing instead of just push a button and forget about it. Now, I want to have fun listening to them, just like you nuck! |
|
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3205 Registered: May-05 | What turntable do you have? The Linn Ittok is a pretty respectable tonearm. Is the table a Linn as well? Just curious. |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 21 Registered: Feb-09 | I happen to have an almost 20 years old original gyrodec with acrylic plinth & dust cover, one with aluminum platter with rubber mat. It has signs of its age, but still looks pretty cool. My friend has a Michell turntable as well, with really thick platter, I believe that's orbe version. He helped me out quite a bit with explaining the basics, but he's gone for several months for his work in another country now. I just dropped him off at the airport today. Now, I'm on my own :-) |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13395 Registered: May-04 | . Why did your friend take the Clearaudio cartridge off his table after such a short amount of time? Did you have a chance to hear his system with this cartridge and the new cartridge? Do you know what he has installed right now? |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 22 Registered: Feb-09 | Originally, he had a benz cartridge installed on his table. I think it was ACE something. After the tip got worn out, he bought the clearaudio cart as an upgrade, but few months later, his dealer offered him 50% off deal on his current Benz ruby with his old benz cartridge as a trade-in. So, clearaudio cartridge was boxed up and been sitting on his shelf for about a year now. He just wanted to make sure if it's working properly, in case I would like to get his cartridge. So, he swapped out the cartridge for a test run on my table with linn ittok LV II arm. It sounded very nice, but I'm not sure if i will appreciate the quality without going through more affordable cartridges. Nonetheless, I was happy with the sound. I just wish I don't have to spend another $300 :-) |
|
Bronze Member Username: BeaconsL.A, CA U.S.A. Post Number: 23 Registered: Feb-09 | Jake(my friend) also told me the same thing about cartridge being older than 5 years is not good for the same reason you guys told me. He was telling me to get a new cartridge. Of course, I've resisted and came over to this forum to prove him wrong that I can use 10 years old yamaha cartridge :-) We didn't try out yamaha on his table. I only did that when I was at my uncle's place for about an hour. No issues there. I didnt pay attention to sound quality and all. I just wanted to see if it's working, producing sound. Since I don't have a phono preamp yet, there's no way testing it again. |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 13397 Registered: May-04 | . The Clearaudio cartridges are very nice as a line. I never thought they were the best at getting your toe tapping however. They have other strengths you might enjoy but toe tapping wouldn't be what comes to mind when you say Clearaudio to me. Read what others have to say and make your decision. . |