Gain setting question for Ref Phono 2, Ref 3, Clearaudio Concerto cartridge

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by turntable

Jerome, It would be the 68db gain for unbalanced. You need balanced all the way to the amp if you are to get the 6db gain.

If I had fully balanced system I would use rca and xlr connection. Depending on cartridge you could have 4 different gain settings.

To the op. I would try the balanced low gain setting and see if that sounds more pure and you have enough gain -all things being equal, it should sound better as it has one less gain stage.
Then try comparable rca cable at the 68 db gain. Then keep which one sounds better.

Cheers

I was expecting that Shane.
Thanks !

[Stumil]

Thanks for all of the good responses! Perhaps I need a better understanding of balanced vs. single-ended (SE). My turntable (VPI Scoutmaster) has SE outputs, how much does it matter if you're running SE from the Ref Phono 2 to the Ref 3 pre-amp? My cable distance between the phono-pre and pre-amp is .75 meter. I can understand the benefit of balanced interconnects between these two components if the run was 2 or 3 meters.

On another note, I tried the Ref Phono 2 using SE cables and the SE High Gain setting of 68, and I can't hear a sound quality difference other than lower volume. Sounds wonderful both ways. Don't think I can lose either way.

[chessman]

Deleted - read issue incorrectly

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Stumil

Thanks for all of the good responses! Perhaps I need a better understanding of balanced vs. single-ended (SE). My turntable (VPI Scoutmaster) has SE outputs, how much does it matter if you're running SE from the Ref Phono 2 to the Ref 3 pre-amp? My cable distance between the phono-pre and pre-amp is .75 meter. I can understand the benefit of balanced interconnects between these two components if the run was 2 or 3 meters.

On another note, I tried the Ref Phono 2 using SE cables and the SE High Gain setting of 68, and I can't hear a sound quality difference other than lower volume. Sounds wonderful both ways. Don't think I can lose either way.

The crucial bit is the phono cable to your ref 2. That should be as short as possible due to the very low level signal. The phono pre to pre amp can be much longer. Even with rca you can go several metres.

howie

[Amado]

Try MIT magnum Phono cable interconnects
I think they are the best for matching the
Capacitance and impedance of your gear.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Dafos]

Originally Posted by Stumil

Thanks for all of the good responses! Perhaps I need a better understanding of balanced vs. single-ended (SE). My turntable (VPI Scoutmaster) has SE outputs, how much does it matter if you're running SE from the Ref Phono 2 to the Ref 3 pre-amp? My cable distance between the phono-pre and pre-amp is .75 meter. I can understand the benefit of balanced interconnects between these two components if the run was 2 or 3 meters.

On another note, I tried the Ref Phono 2 using SE cables and the SE High Gain setting of 68, and I can't hear a sound quality difference other than lower volume. Sounds wonderful both ways. Don't think I can lose either way.

From experience using ref series electronics, slight but noticeable gain in weight and air. This is an observation running exactly the same kubala emotion IC from my avid phono stage to my ref preamp using both the avid's SE and balanced outputs simultaneously into separate inputs of the preamp. All I did was switch inputs so I feel it was pretty fair comparison.