Third gain stage for pearl
Like some others i like the sound of the pearls, but think more gain would be an improvement, especially with low output MC cartridges. And like some others i tried to achieve the aim by paralleling more jfets in both gain stages. But i wasn´t really satisfied, the gain didnt get as high as i wished and the sound didnt improve in every aspect. I got more dynamic and better bass, but the sound becomes less relaxed and´liquid´. So i started thinking of a third gain stage and the many possibilities to make it.
After a while i decided that choose the easy way: a third jfet gain stage without cascading (who needs 70 db of gain?), it gets the signal from the output capacitor from stage two, its made with a matched pair or 2sk170, it has about 400 -500 ohm on the drain side, 100K on the gate, 20 ohm on both sources and an output capacitor. And thats it. I forgot one thing, the circuit can oscillate or recieve radio signals, a 10pf styroflex in the pearl input and a 20 ohm resistor ín the output solve the problems. The voltages are the same as in the first two gain stages.
Now here comes the funny thing! My three friends got the ´modification´very soon and they freeked out and told me: take this thing to the next high end store... I think, it sounds like the original circuit (like it is, now) with such a boost in Dynamic and power without the negative effects of doubling the fets in a two stage pearl. I really like to know what advantages an ono or xono could have now. The pearl is perfect for every mc now, even an 0.15 mv ortofon mc 3000, there is no need for the T3000 transformer anymore, it will be an second hand offer on ebay.