I have a Perreaux Audiant VP3 phono stage, with MM and MC selectable via front buttons.  Running into tuner input ofPlinius 8150.
Haven’t been happy with the sound I’m getting. 

MC from Denon DL 103R, mounted on Ittok arm on LP12.  Well satisfactory to a point but not hearing the “magic” I was used to. Satisfactory  to a degree in that some music ok, but yesterday played sides 3 and 4, Beethoven sonatas for piano and violin - Perlman and Ashkenazy.

I last played that using my Yamaha YP-D9 DD tt, with Ortofon 2M Black cart via a PureAudio Vinyl phono pre, rest of system the same as now.  To my ears it presented pure reference class music, satisfying in all ways.  However, as discussed elsewhere, the 2M Black, is a dismal performer through theVP3.

Yesterday’s performance, via the Denon, was a dismal failure.  Piano sounded tinny and clangy, while violin was good in parts, but overall a bit humdrum.

Rather than give up listening to music, and blame my ears (see my posts in Hearing aids and hifi). I thought I should check the settings on my phono pre, and maybe try some changes.

Existing settings 1. for Denon, and 2. for 2M Black.

1.  Load - 250ohm
     Gain 64dB.

2.  Load 47Kohm
     Capacitance 100pF
      Gain 44dB

I thought I would try -
1.  Load 100ohn
     Gain 60dB

2. Load 47Kohm
    Capacitance 250pF
    Gain 60dB

Before I try those settings, does anyone have advice re optimal settings for these carts?

Denon 103R, anything above 100 ohms, preferably about 470 ohms, but even 47kOhm!

i use 47k for all



i was going to get GM to hardwire my Vinyl for 47k as taking those DIPs out of circuit will improve the sound but they were included for commercial reasons.

for the denon play around with capacitance too.

or take out the perreaux

I've got one of Gary's myself and before that had a Pass.. their top model with the dial in the front instead of the flick things at the back which you can't use unless you have fingers the size of a two week old preying mantis!
I think mine was left at 47 thingies also.
Ok in fairness all tts and cartridges are different but I would have needed bionic ears to hear much of a difference between the options. And like most things once you have it set it stays there and doesn't get shifted!
Buy something simple..
It's like flicking out valves and noticing major improvements in bass and clarity...dont get me started!
Right..rant over, I'm going to go and lick the driveway and play on the road.

Thanks for the input, guys. Looks like time to experiment, but not this weekend. Have to wait for sunny weather, as we rely on solar power with battery storage. I’m very conservative with power usage as we want the very expensive battery bank to last as long as possible!

To recap, the VP3 is essentially two phono pre amps in one box. Separate inputs for MM and MC, with separate sets of dip switches for each.

MM loading options are 1Kohm or 10Kohm, or combine the two switches for 47Kohm. Several Capacitance settings are only available on MM, and the choices are; 22pF, 47pF, 100pF, 220pF or 470pF.

MC loading options are; 47Kohm, 10ohm, 30ohm, 100ohm, 250ohm, 500ohm, and 1Kohm; and there is one capacitance load available - 47pF.

Gain/Sensitivity options are -
MM - 36dB/11.9mV, 40dB/7.5mV, 44dB/4.7mV, and 48dB/3.0mV.
MC - 56dB/1.2mV, 60dB/0.7mV, 64dB/0.5mV, 66dB/0.3mV

Will have a play around with the various settings (which is a pain - why don’t manufacturers put the dip switches on the front panel?!) and report back. Will also try the phono input (MC only) on the Plinius 8150 for comparison.

I believe capacitance would also depend on your cables for MM, and also that it makes sweet all difference on MC.

Generally, the higher the ohms on MC, esp with low output carts, there is a HF rise, and less defined bass. Converse with low ohm setting. Also, slightly louder at high ohm settings.

Here's a couple of links that I don't know are very helpful. :->

This one they seem to cure some of the brightness by loading down the 2M :

www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/ortofon-2m-black-measurements-and-optimal-loading.1899/

And then this Stereonet review saying they get a good sound from the Perreaux but it doesn't say what loading;

www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/perreaux-vp3-phono-preamplifier-review/

MC capacitance does make a difference to RFI suppression if you suffer from such.

The only thing worse than DIPs are those silly little removeable resistors used in preamps like the Dynavector P75, not only is it fiddly but you have to remove the lid and keep the instruction sheet close by.

Sutherland employed a similar method for adjustment but their resistors were big chunky things and clearly marked.

Some info from Hagerman technology on cartridge loading.
www.hagtech.com/loading.html

AMR-iFi R&D

Jul 17, 2021 12:22:54 GMT 12 michaelw said:

MC capacitance does make a difference to RFI suppression if you suffer from such.

The only thing worse than DIPs are those silly little removeable resistors used in preamps like the Dynavector P75, not only is it fiddly but you have to remove the lid and keep the instruction sheet close by.

Sutherland employed a similar method for adjustment but their resistors were big chunky things and clearly marked.

Didn't know that re: RFI suppression

That's what GM told me when I first heard the Vinyl.

It's in the instruction sheet too.

Specifications:
Input: RCA
Outputs: RCA
Gain at 1kHz: 62dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/- 0.2dB ref RIAA spec
Input Impedance: 47, 100, 220, 475, 1k, 47k Ohms user
selectable
Input capacitance: 220pF switchable as rf rejection filter

I vaguely recall some people having RFI problems with the Vinyl...