I bought the above phono preamp expressly to use with my new cartridge, the Denon DL103, as it is purportedly MC capable. However, as I wrote to Cambridge Audio:
"Put simply, I have to crank the volume up on my amplifier to achieve similar volume to the MM cartridge, roughly 1 o'clock on the dial. Your FAQ indicates you have to turn the volume up slightly, but in my case I'm doubling it.
The problem is that the output from the DL 103 is too low for the 640P. I've compared the 640p with other preamps and am certain this is the case."
They replied:
"The Denon- whilst a classic- has an output that is designed for use with a step up transformer and a moving magnet stage as was convention in the 60's. The 640P is designed to be a best fit with more modern designs with a higher output. If the 640P was designed with the Denon in mind, it would affect the performance with many other cartridge types. The best action would be to use a step up into the moving magnet input although I concede this is not an especially cheap option."
In other words, despite the 640P being described as MC, in fact it is only suitable for certain higher output MC cartridges, and the problem with lower output cartridges is well known within Cambridge Audio. They choose not to advertise the fact, however. If they had done so, I would never have bought the item to begin with.
It's also worth pointing out other manufacturers manage to supply phono preamps that work with MCs of all output levels, including the Denon 103 series.
I bought the 640P in good faith, but it is unusable. I suggested a full refund. They suggested I contact the dealer.
My feeling is that it is Cambridge Audio who are entirely responsible for this. They are knowingly selling an item which does not work with certain low output MC cartridges but do not state clearly that this is the case.
Thanks to them I have invested 110€ in a redundant item. I'll be pursuing this further, but, in the meantime, be warned! If you have an MC cartridge and are thinking of buying the 640P, at the very least check with Cambridge Audio that it is compatible, or, preferably in my view, look elsewhere.
"Put simply, I have to crank the volume up on my amplifier to achieve similar volume to the MM cartridge, roughly 1 o'clock on the dial. Your FAQ indicates you have to turn the volume up slightly, but in my case I'm doubling it.
The problem is that the output from the DL 103 is too low for the 640P. I've compared the 640p with other preamps and am certain this is the case."
They replied:
"The Denon- whilst a classic- has an output that is designed for use with a step up transformer and a moving magnet stage as was convention in the 60's. The 640P is designed to be a best fit with more modern designs with a higher output. If the 640P was designed with the Denon in mind, it would affect the performance with many other cartridge types. The best action would be to use a step up into the moving magnet input although I concede this is not an especially cheap option."
In other words, despite the 640P being described as MC, in fact it is only suitable for certain higher output MC cartridges, and the problem with lower output cartridges is well known within Cambridge Audio. They choose not to advertise the fact, however. If they had done so, I would never have bought the item to begin with.
It's also worth pointing out other manufacturers manage to supply phono preamps that work with MCs of all output levels, including the Denon 103 series.
I bought the 640P in good faith, but it is unusable. I suggested a full refund. They suggested I contact the dealer.
My feeling is that it is Cambridge Audio who are entirely responsible for this. They are knowingly selling an item which does not work with certain low output MC cartridges but do not state clearly that this is the case.
Thanks to them I have invested 110€ in a redundant item. I'll be pursuing this further, but, in the meantime, be warned! If you have an MC cartridge and are thinking of buying the 640P, at the very least check with Cambridge Audio that it is compatible, or, preferably in my view, look elsewhere.
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