Ingvar Ahlberg
AVForums Grandmaster
As there seems to be a lot of MC cartridge users here and also many interested in trying this route but seeing an obstacle in the required step up device/costs related to this I thought it might be good to discuss this topic (many strange thoughts up here).
As all low output MC cartridges need some kind of step up device there are a few things to take into consideration, load can be very important as in the case of Ortofon SPU and SL15 that only works at their best with the original J?rgen Schou transformer/Ortofon STM72
while the Denon DL103 family works perfect with any transformer presenting a load between 30-100 Ohm load.
Some very good step up devices for modest money I have found are Fidelity Research FRT-3 and FRT-4, Ortofon T30 and as a very good active alternative Ortofon MCA-76, (active) very good for most MC cartridges, perhaps among the best there are, but not for Ortofon SL15, that needs the original transformers.
Please add good alternatives You have found, also external Phono/riia amps with MC cabability that You find good value for money.
Ingvar
As all low output MC cartridges need some kind of step up device there are a few things to take into consideration, load can be very important as in the case of Ortofon SPU and SL15 that only works at their best with the original J?rgen Schou transformer/Ortofon STM72
while the Denon DL103 family works perfect with any transformer presenting a load between 30-100 Ohm load.
Some very good step up devices for modest money I have found are Fidelity Research FRT-3 and FRT-4, Ortofon T30 and as a very good active alternative Ortofon MCA-76, (active) very good for most MC cartridges, perhaps among the best there are, but not for Ortofon SL15, that needs the original transformers.
Please add good alternatives You have found, also external Phono/riia amps with MC cabability that You find good value for money.
Ingvar
