Phono Preamp ?

[mynameismatt]

Looking for a good preamp.

The max I would like to spend is $250 US.

Thanks!

[Bernie]

If your main interest is a good phono section that handles MC/MM carts try to get yourself a used Adcom or B & K Preamp from eBay. I've had a B & K Sonota MC-101 for almost 15 years and it has ample inputs and a stellar phono preamp.

[mynameismatt]

Will it matter if I am using a Shure V15 cart?

Thanks.

[Mixmachine]

Will it matter if I am using a Shure V15 cart?

Thanks.

I'm using the Shure V15 cart with a NAD pp2 (maybe previous PP1model ) pre-amp, after doing some online research a couple of years ago, this pre was highly recommended on many audio boards by users (with very high-priced systems) because of it's good performance and value (paid 89.00), some even recommended an inexpensive Radio Shack model that uses batteries instead of AC power(don't know if still is available), this model (many posters claimed) reduces even more any noise associated with AC power. I never felt confortable with batteries, so I went for the NAD and I have no complaints.

[Bernie]

Will it matter if I am using a Shure V15 cart?

Thanks.

The Shure is a moving magnet (MM) cart so it is not a problem with many of the B & Ks or Adcoms. Just make sure to ask the seller of any preamp that you are interested in if it has a "phono" input for a turntable as opposed to a regular "Line-in" as a few of the newer ones don't offer "phono." Good luck.

[MAN]

Really I have a question on this what is the different between the MC and the MM carts and which one is better, I tried to use a MM cart at my turntable but the sound came very low , how can I use this cart if I want ,can you explain it for me Bernie,or just what is compatible with what
thanks

[Forrrce]

Really I have a question on this what is the different between the MC and the MM carts and which one is better, I tried to use a MM cart at my turntable but the sound came very low , how can I use this cart if I want ,can you explain it for me Bernie,or just what is compatible with what
thanks

The basic structural differences are outlined here:

http://www.audiovideo101.com/diction...agnet-cart.asp

Moving coil types generally have a much lower output than MM and therefore require step-up stages, also known as head amps. MC types also tend to be a little less robust and more expensive; and there are very few 'high-end' cartrides that are of MM type.

In my experience, moving coils tend be track better (more often their tracking weights are lower than those of moving magnets) and they have a more neutral but sweeter, refined sound, due to increased likelihood of having finer, elliptical tips and better compliance.

[MAN]

Thank you FORRECE for your explanation, and for the link, but now which kind or amplifier would be better to use with the moving coil cart?

[Forrrce]

MAN, I made a tiny error in the above which I've now corrected, though I hope it didn't confuse you or anyone else initially.

As for amps of choice, that's purely down to you. Many amps now don't have built in phono stages, so you'll probably have to get one anyway(?). If you're using an amp which does have a phono (ie, turntable) input, but there is no moving coil setting, then you will need a step-up amp for the cartridge, as explained above. There's a welter of them available to suit all tastes and pockets - and some even have user adjustable settings.

So, in a nutshell - if you use a moving coil cartridge, you need an MC compliant head amplifier to connect the turntable to, then this in turn is connected to your main amplifier. Some head amps output to line stage, which means you can plug then into any tape in, CD in, or tuner in on your amplifier. Others output at phono level, which means you have to plug them into an MM phono stage on a phono-ready amp. I hope it's a bit clearer now. :D

[MAN]

If you're using an amp which does have a phono (ie, turntable) input, but there is no moving coil setting, then you will need a step-up amp for the cartridge

Thank you again Forrrce,This is what i got, and my case that I want to know more about it, I'm already using now a MM cartridge but I got a spare MC one and when I tested it there is nearly no sound comes, but now you gave me the answers that I have to know

[MAN]

Again many thanks to you Forrrce for your details on this matter, i've got a used AKAI AMP which has an MM-MC switch and both carts now work perfectly and I don't need any Pre or Pre-Pre amp. and as you said (that the MC have much lower output than MM) but with this AMP it's only low by about 15% low only but the sound is good.
I know it's little bit old thread but I thought my replay maybe will help someone later.thanks.

[Forrrce]

Glad it made sense. Don't mention it, dude.