EMT 948 Built in Phono Preamp Question(S)

[Vann9594]

I have a new to me EMT 948 turntable fully refurbed by Platterdrive in PA. I bought it specifically to have an all in one table setup by using its built in Phono Preamp in conjunction with a EMT TSD SFL. I got it set up too play and fired it up and the output was pretty low so figured out had to turn the gain up on both channels on the line amp board, after that was done output was much better but zero low bass and/or mid bass. I reached out them to discuss and was told these were setup for broadcast use and the frequency started to roll off at 50hz so I would experience a rather thin and flat sound. I hooked it up to my Herron VTPH-2a with the RCA with tonearm adaptor cable that the seller provided me with and it work great with a full and rich sound. Do any of you have any thoughts on what I am experiencing and should I get better results through the built in phono preamp than what I am currently getting?

Thx
Don

 

[DasguteOhr]

I have a new to me EMT 948 turntable fully refurbed by Platterdrive in PA. I bought it specifically to have an all in one table setup by using its built in Phono Preamp in conjunction with a EMT TSD SFL. I got it set up too play and fired it up and the output was pretty low so figured out had to turn the gain up on both channels on the line amp board, after that was done output was much better but zero low bass and/or mid bass. I reached out them to discuss and was told these were setup for broadcast use and the frequency started to roll off at 50hz so I would experience a rather thin and flat sound. I hooked it up to my Herron VTPH-2a with the RCA with tonearm adaptor cable that the seller provided me with and it work great with a full and rich sound. Do any of you have any thoughts on what I am experiencing and should I get better results through the built in phono preamp than what I am currently getting?

Thx
Don

Change the input sut on the amplifer board to lundahl 1:8 stepup LL 1931 Copper or pure silver

Moving coil input - Lundahl Transformers

Moving coil input transformers Moving coil cartridges are low voltage devices. Typical output levels are below1 mV, and often as low as 0.1 mV. In order to generate 12.5W on an 8 ohm loudspeaker, a 0.1V signal must be amplifier 100000 times (or 100 dB). In particular for tube amplifier devices...

www.lundahltransformers.com

you can play a bit with sub filter -3db / 30hz resistor R 758 but you need a lp with test signals und mesurering tools.
Both mods give a lot potential in sound quality

P.S when you change to low output cartrigdes, then you can rewire the Lundahl transformers to 1:16

 

[Christian (the Swiss one)]

That sounds like good advice from Mr Ear. Other than that I can only think of Running into a external PhonoPreamp instead, or running through a Equalizer as you would in a Studio.

Kind Regards Christian.

PS: The Guys at EMT are great, and often more helpful than dealers or Restorers.

 

[Vann9594]

I found out since my last post that the seller sold it to me with MM phono card not MC card. He mis-advertised it saying he sold me the EMT Cartidge as a High Output MC but in fact he basically lied to me as the cartridge was .23mv output so would have never worked with it anyway. I have great sound with it through my Herron VTPH-2a so will leave it alone for now.

 

[mtemur]

I found out since my last post that the seller sold it to me with MM phono card not MC card. He mis-advertised it saying he sold me the EMT Cartidge as a High Output MC but in fact he basically lied to me as the cartridge was .23mv output so would have never worked with it anyway. I have great sound with it through my Herron VTPH-2a so will leave it alone for now.

EMT cartridges are medium-output MC designs and are sometimes mistaken for high-output MCs. EMT specifies output at 1 cm/s, whereas the standard is 5 cm/s. This means the actual output is around 1 mV.

 

[Vann9594]

This is what I have .21mv looks like a LO MC output not HO MC

Diamond: SFL
Cantilever: Aluminum
Transducer: MC Stereo
Connection: EMT
Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
Weight: 17.5g
Tracking force: 2.5g
Output Transfer Level: 0.21mVs/cm
Compliance: 12µm/mN
Frequency response: 20 - 25,000Hz
Impedance: 2x 24Ω
Recommended load: 200 - 300Ω

 

[DasguteOhr]

Runs perfect with 1: 5/8 sut secondary load ~12kohm at 40db gain mm input or 54- 56db mc input with 250ohm

 

[Vann9594]

Runs perfect with 1: 8 sut secondary load 12kohm at 40db gain mm input or 54- 56db mc input with 250ohm

Thanks, I can tell it’s not compatible with the MM EMT phono card. It has all treble, no bass to speak of and I have to turn my preamp volume past 3/4 to hear anything of substance.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Thanks, I can tell it’s not compatible with the MM EMT phono card. It has all treble, no bass to speak of and I have to turn my preamp volume past 3/4 to hear anything of substance.

MM phono card needs 3-5mV mostly to work good 1.05mV is too low.

 

[mtemur]

This is what I have .21mv looks like a LO MC output not HO MC

Diamond: SFL
Cantilever: Aluminum
Transducer: MC Stereo
Connection: EMT
Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
Weight: 17.5g
Tracking force: 2.5g
Output Transfer Level: 0.21mVs/cm
Compliance: 12µm/mN
Frequency response: 20 - 25,000Hz
Impedance: 2x 24Ω
Recommended load: 200 - 300Ω

Please read my prior post carefully, where I clearly indicated that EMT is an MC cartridge — certainly not an MM cartridge. More precisely, it’s a medium-output MC, not low-output (LO) or high-output (HO).

In fact, you should also review your own post carefully, because the 0.21 mV/cm specification you quoted clearly translates to 1.05 mV when measured at the industry-standard 5 cm/s. The recommended load specification you mentioned also confirms it is an MC cartridge — it must be connected to an MC phono stage or an SUT/head amp. It should not be connected directly to an MM stage, since MM stages have a standard 47 kΩ load, not the 200–300 Ω load specified for this cartridge.

When an MC cartridge is loaded with a higher (MM) impedance:
- The frequency response tilts upwards, emphasizing the highs.
- Output volume becomes insufficient because of the MM stage’s lower gain.

 

[Vann9594]

Thank you @mtemur for your detailed breakdown. I have just installed the correct MC phono board and all is good. I am very surprised and very happy with how the cartridge is performing, This all in one setup is perfect as I was trying to down size and save some space and cable usage.