PH-3 interfacing

Guglielmo

Well-Known Member
Aug 19, 2010
3
1
348
Hello,

Recently I acquired a PH3 phono preamp to be mated with LS7 line stage. Unfortunately I am not sure that this combination may be driven by a 0.2-0.3mV output MC cartridge.

Before testing and soldering the different resistors to get the suitable load I would like to know your thought about this issue. Actually I get this AR couple to utilise my several MC carts avoiding additional step-up transformer but I have some doubt whether this may be accomplished with clear dynamics and low S/N.

May be that I have to change this phono preamp with other one? The AR Reference Phono could be a better choice? I had the occasion to buy it but someone told me that it is too much for my LS-7 line stage.

Consider that I prefer full vacuum technology design.

Moreover: wishing listening with headphones directy to power amp (my wonderful VT-50) how may I connect it? Why AR don't foresee headphones outputs in their power amps?

Thank you for useful tech help!

Guglielmo
 

analog brother

New Member
Jan 20, 2014
233
3
0
new-ish gsi-75 integrated from arc has a headphone socket. also, you can option in a phono stage module as well.

ph-3 has low max gain of around 52db, so you will need at least 0.5 - 0.6mv cart in order for it to work well.
0.2-0.3 is very low output.
 
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Carlos Villarreal

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2020
5
1
68
56
hello , i still have the ph3 phonostage and use to have a Ls7, Yes i agree with the above that You should look at cartridge with at least .5 mv output. or you could get SUT (step up transformer), i currently use an old Entre Et 100 with good results with my Ph3 and with low output mc cartridges.
 

tdh888

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2010
298
28
935
Philippines
Hi you need if you plan to use a low out cart 0.2-0.3 mv you’ll definitely need a mc step up transformer . You won’t need it if your using a medium output mc cartridge .

Carlos I use to have the Entre ET100 back in the day , I used it w/ my ARC SP6E , it worked well w/ my Cartridge ( Koetsu Black) . The Entre was highly recommended by the dealer from Hong Kong . I think Entre is the forerunner of the company My Sonic Lab
 

Carlos Villarreal

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2020
5
1
68
56
Exactly tdh888 , Entre designer was Matsudaira San, who now runs My Sonic labs, and apparently sells its SUT for around 5k. I got mine for around 500 dlls a few years ago, it weights the same and does not even has 3 inputs and impedance selector ,if i remember well. i don,t think SUT technolgy changes that often, so I think its a good thing to pick up those vintage SUT,s and just do a fresh internal rewire,
 

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