The gain of a moving coil cartridge is the amount of amplification that is required to bring its output level up to a usable level. The gain of a moving coil cartridge is typically measured in decibels (dB).
The gain of a moving coil cartridge depends on a number of factors, including the cartridge’s design, the type of stylus it uses, and the impedance of the phono amplifier that it is connected to.
Typically, the gain of a moving coil cartridge ranges from 30 to 70 dB. However, some high-end cartridges can have a gain of up to 100 dB.
The higher the gain of a moving coil cartridge, the louder the sound will be. However, it is important to note that a higher gain can also increase the noise floor of the cartridge, which is the amount of background noise that is present in the signal.
The best way to determine the ideal gain for a moving coil cartridge is to experiment with different settings and see what sounds best to you.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the gain of a moving coil cartridge:
- The gain of a moving coil cartridge can be affected by the loading of the cartridge. The loading is the amount of electrical resistance and capacitance that is presented to the cartridge by the phono amplifier.
- The gain of a moving coil cartridge can also be affected by the impedance of the phono amplifier. The impedance is the electrical resistance of the phono amplifier.
- If you are using a phono amplifier with a variable gain setting, you can adjust the gain to match the output level of your cartridge.
- If you are using a phono amplifier with a fixed gain setting, you may need to use a step-up transformer to increase the gain of your cartridge.
