Phono gain

[touchthenote]

So I have an SME 10 , Dynavector Karat 17 D ll , Music First Pre, with a Musical Fidelity MX-Vinyl phono. The recommended load is 100 ohms but the volume is so quiet even on the highest volume that I have to increase the load, is this normal, what is the link causing this, any help appreciated.

 

[Al ears]

The fact you have a very low output MC cartridge through a phono preamp into a passive preamp doesn't help.
You will have to use whatever setting you can on that phono preamp to try to get acceptable level I think, but having said that you don't mention a power amplifier......you do have one don't you?

 

[touchthenote]

Hi Al ears,
Really appreciate the reply, running it through an audio research VS 115 power amp, sounds amazing but I have to have it at a really high gain to get a reasonable volume and really need to know if I am ruining the sound quality by not having it at the recommended 100 ohms ?

 

[nopiano]

Isn’t the suggested load greater than 100 ohms, so you are fine with more than 100 rather than exactly 100?

 

[Al ears]

Hi Al ears,
Really appreciate the reply, running it through an audio research VS 115 power amp, sounds amazing but I have to have it at a really high gain to get a reasonable volume and really need to know if I am ruining the sound quality by not having it at the recommended 100 ohms ?

No, it's only a recommendation. With your set-up simply use what you need to.

 

[touchthenote]

That’s really good to hear, thank you 👍

 

[daytona600]

17D 0.3mv output Phono stage ideally needs 0.4mv
gives 4v output can you use XLR inputs into your power amp these will offer double the output @ 8mv
or try a SUT step up transformer into the MM input of the phono stage 1.30/1.40 ration
or a phono stage with adjustable gain 65/85db
or new MC cartridge with standard output of 0.4-0.7mv output

Passive pre essentially do not have any gain & have to be matched to gain of power amp or try a Active preamp will offer plenty of gain

 

[Al ears]

Not to sure where 'standard output 0.4-0.7mV' comes from however the active preamp route is certainly where I would be looking.