This should be good. Don't skimp on the wire or RCA's if it's a DIY project.
Correct. Connection for 15: or 30:1. 15:1 is just about perfect for a Denon 301mkIIWait...HM-7 or HM-3? I don't see HM-7s for sale unless I'm missing them. They are a more expensive transformer with a different ratio.
Correct. Connection for 15: or 30:1. 15:1 is just about perfect for a Denon 301mkII
Would the HM-7 be suitable for the Denon DL-S1 ?
- Type: Moving coil
- Output voltage: 0.15mV
- Frequency response: 20Hz-70kHz
- Recommended load impedance: Over 100 ohms
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: < 1db
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 28dB
- Stylus tip: 0.07 x 0.07 mm square solid diamond
- Compliance: 14 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Recommended tracking force: (1.3g +/- 0.2g)
That is why I might consider the HM-X, as it has 1:15 and 1:30 ratios. Yet if I get enough gain from 1:20, I would be happy. My big concern, though, is what happens if I replace the ART7 in a few years and get an MC that is slightly higher output, like in the 0.3mV to 0.5mV range. Would 1:20 be too much gain?Might be..... I find the HM3 has far more gain than expected getting quite high volumes with my 0.12mv Philips GP922 into a phono with a gain of 40db..... I rather suspect it comes down to a combination of how much gain your phono stage has as well..... Too much gain leads to feedback.
A typical mm phonostage has about 40dB gain and an outboard step-up transformer adds about 20dB more for LOMC cartridges. With your cartridge having such a low output you would benefit from an extra 10dB or so, so having 49dB in the phonostage is beneficial. It might not be so beneficial if you get a higher output LOMC cartridge in future though.The phono stage I am looking at has a gain of 49dB...
Tubes are inherently noisy, more so than transistors. A good tube phonostage with a suitable step-up transformer can have a good signal-to-noise ratio, but it's not true to say tubes are quieter than transistors, and certainly not true to say tubes don't hiss.I had also read that tube phono stages can be quieter than solid state since the tubes do not have the same inherent noise as transistors (that "rushing" white noise sound in my current phono stage, which is making me look at changing it out).
I know--that didn't sound right to me either. My tube components here have the same hiss levels as anything solid state I ever had in the system.Tubes are inherently noisy, more so than transistors. A good tube phonostage with a suitable step-up transformer can have a good signal-to-noise ratio, but it's not true to say tubes are quieter than transistors, and certainly not true to say tubes don't hiss.
That is why I might consider the HM-X, as it has 1:15 and 1:30 ratios. Yet if I get enough gain from 1:20, I would be happy. My big concern, though, is what happens if I replace the ART7 in a few years and get an MC that is slightly higher output, like in the 0.3mV to 0.5mV range. Would 1:20 be too much gain?
The phono stage I am looking at has a gain of 49dB. Yet I saw another phono stage on my short list come up for sale as well, and it has Cinemag "Red" transformers inside. Unless the pricing of my first choice is low enough, I may just go with this alternate (which is also highly regarded). It offers 64dB of gain at its top setting.
I had also read that tube phono stages can be quieter than solid state since the tubes do not have the same inherent noise as transistors (that "rushing" white noise sound in my current phono stage, which is making me look at changing it out).
A typical mm phonostage has about 40dB gain and an outboard step-up transformer adds about 20dB more for LOMC cartridges. With your cartridge having such a low output you would benefit from an extra 10dB or so, so having 49dB in the phonostage is beneficial. It might not be so beneficial if you get a higher output LOMC cartridge in future though.
Tubes are inherently noisy, more so than transistors. A good tube phonostage with a suitable step-up transformer can have a good signal-to-noise ratio, but it's not true to say tubes are quieter than transistors, and certainly not true to say tubes don't hiss.
The hiss you have at present is due to the cartridge putting out such a low signal. A step-up transformer is the way to go to reduce the hiss.