Looking for the best MC-Amp (to my ears)!

[fdegrove]

Hi,

The full-diff version lets you run out from the TT in fully balanced mode with absolute phase switching.

Absolute polarity switching is nice to have but Allen Wright's circuits are hybrid ones...
Using a 2SK170, I think...as an input device.

Nice circuitry but I don't want to hold my breath for two years to find out, Dave..........Neither do I want to go into in too much detail on who thought of it first.

Choking,

 

[planet10]

Absolute polarity switching is nice to have but Allen Wright's circuits are hybrid ones...
Using a 2SK170, I think...as an input device.

There is a version with a tube section on the bottom (usually not quite as quiet), and he is now recommending a different device on the bottom... he suggested i start with the 2SK170 version thou.

dave

 

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Thanks, Dave.

There is a version with a tube section on the bottom (usually not quite as quiet),

Ah,ah...didn't even know that.
Is there any extra info on that somewhere?

Having a low noise floor is a must but there's a point of diminishing returns...
I mean, there's little point in going below the noise floor of your source, is there?

Vinyl isn't particularly excelling in that department but somehow it seems to make music....

Cheers,

 

[planet10]

Ah,ah...didn't even know that.
Is there any extra info on that somewhere?

In his book... uses a 6922 section instead of the FET.

Vinyl isn't particularly excelling in that department but somehow it seems to make music....

That bears repeating :^)

dave

 

[fdegrove]

Hi,

In his book... uses a 6922 section instead of the FET.

I guessed as much...

The 6922 and cousins really sound great once CCS'ed...

That bears repeating :^)

Hear, hear...Couldn't agree more.

Cheers,

 

[tiefbassuebertr]

In my research I've found, that answering this question isn't clearly possible, because there are MC cartridges with different coil resistance.
If there is a low coil resistance inside (like Lyra or Ortofon Rohmann) a common base topology is the best topology.
Otoh - is there a high coil restistance present (mostly by MC cartridges with medium or high output character) I would prefer a common emitter topology resp. an OP-Amp based MC head amp.
Thus it is actually necessary to implement both kind of topologies for the MC head line amp.
Read in this case my posts about
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass...nal-coil-resistance-not-only-pearl-phono.html

I'm looking for the best phono amp (to my ears) to build and I realize that my taste/choice is not the same as you guys or perhaps it is? But to tell you the truth, I'v tryed these and still didn't find the one that makes me happy.
-ONO
-Pearl
-Spectral DMC 12
-Krell KRC and KPE
-Audio&Techniek Tube DIY MM stage with the SUN AUDIO SAT-1000 Transformer.

The one I'm using now is the PLINIUS M14 (from a friend) and to be honest I like the softness of the Pearl the most. But it does not reach the deep bass of the Plinius M14. Thank you very much. Best regards, Audiofanatic

Concerning the deep bass I agree. But the softness of the Pearl you will get also from the M14 after a correct adjusting of the appropriate input requirements suited to the connected cartridge.

P.S. I make now service and maintenance for Plinius Audio in Germany and I am investigating presently the circuit topology
The new German distributor is now follow:
http://www.audioconcept.eu/
A completly overview in German you will find about this weblink in the next weeks.
The english informations for currently and legacy (vintage) audio devices you will get about
http://www.pliniusaudio.nzld.com/index.asp

 

[kstagger]

just a quick note based on a small sampling - I used to own a Threshold FET-10/PC and thought it was the bees knees until I built the Audio Sector Phono Stage. The Audio Sector unit is basically an upscale version of the 47 Labs - circuit board available, you have to do the soldering, case & parts selection. It does use op-amps, but to my surprise, it has some of the most transparent sound I've ever heard.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/audio-sector/151938-phono-stage.html

 

[Hypnotoady]

What about a Hiraga MC head amp?

Hiraga MC Preamp