Phono stage set up,....... Help

PRC · May 2006

I am looking for some advice on setting up my phono stage. I recently purchased a Rega P2 turntable with a Dynavector 10x4 cartridge. My phono stage is a Jolida JD 9. I do not understand all settings on the back of the phone stage and I am hesitant to start playing with the 11 switches that I don't understand. The only reference I can see in the Dynavector literature is recommended load impedance 47K ohms", and moving coil cartridge The phono stage has a high and a low output. I run the IC cables out of the "low output" side.

These are the 11 switches I have to choose from. They are either on or off.

MM
MC High
MC Low

100 ohm
300 ohm
1K ohm
47K ohm
47 PF
100 PF
150 PF
220 PF

Any input on how to set this up.

Thanks

Patrick

Dennis Gardner · May 2006

I would run it MC high, 47kohms, and 100PF turned on for now. If this allows a pretty even volume setting to your CDP, then you are good to go. This cartridge puts out 2-2.5 milllivolts which is high enough to run on the MM side if you would like to try those settings.

PRC · May 2006

Thanks Dennis. I will try these settings and see.

Patrick

madmax · May 2006

I had the JD9 for awhile. Not only do you have those settings you also can choose between the high and low level outputs. Unless I'm mistaken that gives you 8192 possibilities to try. One combination will sound the best with your particular system so it is well worth trying them out. You won't hurt anything. Better get busy!

madmax

PRC · May 2006

madmax wrote:

I had the JD9 for awhile. Not only do you have those settings you also can choose between the high and low level outputs. Unless I'm mistaken that gives you 8192 possibilities to try. One combination will sound the best with your particular system so it is well worth trying them out. You won't hurt anything. Better get busy!
madmax

Thanks. It's a relief to know I won't do dammage. I tried MC High, it seemed a bit to much gain, and almost grainey at louder levels. Can you tell me the differance between MM and MC.

Thanks.

Patrick

madmax · May 2006

The three settings are just there to cover the wide range of cartridge output levels. Three different gains, thats all.

Just the basic basics on cartridges...

Moving Magnet VS Moving Coil cartridges.

The MM typically has a higher output level and a user replaceable needle. They are often a lot more robust and can take more handling abuse.

The MC design has a lower output level and need a secondary gain stage which could be either a step up transformer before your phono pre or a pre with a second stage built in. So much gain is needed that noise becomes a critical factor in design. To replace a needle you have to send the cartridge in to get re-tipped. Many manufacturers offer trade in credit instead. The build is fairly delicate and reqires great care in handling. Most report a higher quality output which is why they are willing to deal with the constraints.

Hope that helps.
madmax

Phono stage set up,....... Help

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