From an email conversation. I always suggest that low out moving coil (MC) cartridges be paired with a step-up transformer for those on a budget and especially trying to get high quality tube gain for their MC cartridge, again without breaking the bank. You can buy a lot of records with the savings of going the P-307 with step up transformer route. 
Hi Ian
Still thinking about the tube dac, but finishing off the T/T setup at the moment. So a quick question, my Benz Ace MC cartridge has a 0.8mV output and I cannot seem to get sufficient output from the P-307 and I am contemplating buying a step-up transformer. The P-307 specs display an RIAA input of less than or equal to 5mV and a 1:9 ratio would put me in @ 7.2mV. Can you advise as to just how much head room this phono stage has and what the absolute max might be without saturation?
Cheers
L
Hi L,
Are you using the 0.7v output?, The P-307 has about 45db of useful gain (but plan on 42db) so your 0.8 is coming up just a bit short unless you have quiet gain in your pre-amp. A step up with gain is always a good idea before a tube stage, to keep the signal to noise high-end. I do have customers who are using 0.5v carts and are using their pre-amp for more gain and are happy with the results, they are also swsitching to the Pavane tubes which are quieter. If your P-307 isn’t going to do it for you (it sounds so good), don’t forget you can always run a SS stage thru the Aux inputs on the P-307
Cheers,
Ian
Hi Ian
I am using the P-307, (0.7V output), in conjunction with an A-348 and I am more than pleased with your products. I have found however, that to equal the volume of the CD-327A, (which has actually got me listening to CD’s again), at 25% volume, I need to almost max out the volume on the A-307 and I am at 75% volume on the A-348. I have no desire to replace any of your products, as I like what I hear, but feel that a step-up transformer will be the solution. These units seem to come in a variety of ratio’s however and 1:9 or 1:12.9 seem to be the lowest I can find at the moment. at 1:9 I would be feeding the P-307 7.2mv and at 12.9, 10.32mV, but the specs show an RIAA recommended input of less than or equal to 5mv, so hence the question. Does the phono stage have sufficient head room to handle either of these two input values without overloading it? As both of the step-up’s I am currently looking at are not local and I would have to get them shipped in, try before you buy is not currently an option, so any advise you could forward would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
L
Hi L
sorry, I misunderstood your original question. The specs are the expected range from a cartridge, it will not be a problem running a higher voltage into it and the 1.9 would be my suggestion. I have 3 or 4 people asking me the same type of question this week, so bear with me
Cheers,
Ian
Hi Ian
Thanks for the advise! I was originally set to purchase a very expensive $500, 1:9 step-up transformer, but came across an Audio Technica AT630 with a 1:10 ratio. At first I was sceptical, but at $50 on the used market, I thought it would at least give me some idea if the ratio was correct and I would simply trash it if it wasn’t the answer. Well surprise, surprise, it was the best fifty bucks I have ever spent, problem solved! Now I can drop the output level on the P-307 under the 1/2 way mark and achieve equal volume between the T/T and the CD without touching the dial on the A-348, (while playing the same original recording). Just an FYI, if you get hit with this question again, as the P-307 seems to have all kinds of head room to handle the input without overloading. Thanks again, I’m now back on track to start transferring from vinyl to digital!
Cheers
