ARC Ref 5 SE and Ref Phono 2 SE Combination

[dminches]

Or those who have this combination which gain setting do you use when you are using a MC cartridge? I usually use low gain. This puts the Ref 5 SE volume in the low 60s vs mid 20s with the high gain setting.

[MPS]

I'm using high gain setting with Lyra low output MC cartridge, Ref3 and Ref Ph 2 SE combo. This configuration matches most closely to that of Ref 7 CD so it's more convenient when changing sources.
Normal listening level setting would be around 10-25 with speakers sensitivity about 87-90 dB/W and average gain power amp.

[dminches]

Originally Posted by MPS

I'm using high gain setting with Lyra low output MC cartridge, Ref3 and Ref Ph 2 SE combo. This configuration matches most closely to that of Ref 7 CD so it's more convenient when changing sources.
Normal listening level setting would be around 10-25 with speakers sensitivity about 87-90 dB/W and average gain power amp.

Thanks. Those are close to my settings on high gain.

[Number95]

Originally Posted by dminches

Or those who have this combination which gain setting do you use when you are using a MC cartridge? I usually use low gain. This puts the Ref 5 SE volume in the low 60s vs mid 20s with the high gain setting.

Switch to HG with MC. You are creating more noise via using preamp's gain compared to Ref2 gain stage. You should also get more dynamics and micro details at HG. At least these have been my experiences for Ref 2 SE which are similar to Ref 10 ph.

[calcutroop]

Pre 5se and Phono 2se and Lyra Kleos, high gain 100, very good result and close what I obtain with Mac Mini and Meitner Dac.

[dminches]

Originally Posted by calcutroop

Pre 5se and Phono 2se and Lyra Kleos, high gain 100, very good result and close what I obtain with Mac Mini and Meitner Dac.

What is the 100, the loading? Is that what that cartridge calls for?

[analog brother]

100 ohms loading, yes.

[djcxxx]

I use the high gain on 2SE w/ the Clearaudio DaVinci and loading of 500ohm w/ 5SE gain between 20-30.

[dminches]

Thanks for all the replies. It seems like everyone is using very similar settings.

[ctop]

Using the low gain with a clearaudio titanium v2 with a 200 ohm loading with 5se