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New turntable in vintage receiver issue
Michael L:
It's the RT-83
MacGeek:
I dug a little deeper into your concern about the difference in volume of your new turn table and learned the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is a moving iron based design. One of the characteristics of moving iron cartridges is reduced output voltage compared to moving magnet types. Unlike moving coil designs, which typically require a step up transformer, or a pre-preamp, moving iron designs can use the moving magnet input of your receivers phono input. However, it is normal and even expected to need to advance the volume control beyond what a moving magnet cartridge requires. Soundsmith, Grado and legacy B & O cartridges, possibly among others, also used moving iron designs.
Your options to address the volume imbalance are to continue with the Ortofon and be careful to turn down the volume before switching sources, replace the cartridge with a moving magnet type, or, if your receiver has adjustments for input source volume, increase the phono input and/or reduce the high level inputs. Others on this forum may have more ideas
The Ortofon 2M Red seems to be a fine cartridge. If your rig were mine, I would simply be careful of the volume setting when switching sources and enjoy my new 'table.
Michael L:
I sure appreciate the deeper digging. The Fluance replaced an entry level Audio-Technica At-LP60X that didn't have the lower volume issue. Unlike the Fluance the A-T did have a built in preamp. I've not been able to find out what type cartridge the A-T had.
Sir Thrift-a-Lot:
I would still double check the headshell wires. Lower input is one thing, but decreased bass output is another.
Sir Thrift-a-Lot:
--- Quote from: MacGeek on December 19, 2021, 10:16:47 PM ---I dug a little deeper into your concern about the difference in volume of your new turn table and learned the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is a moving iron based design. One of the characteristics of moving iron cartridges is reduced output voltage compared to moving magnet types.
--- End quote ---
VE says 5.5 mV output. That's a volt and a half more than my 440.
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/ortofon/2m-red.shtml
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