Maximising phono gain without clipping inputs?

[Alrainbow]

hey own a pair of ml 33.
I had to try a few preamps to make them sing
now they are huge to me.

 

[mtemur]

hey own a pair of ml 33.
I had to try a few preamps to make them sing
now they are huge to me.

Congratulations. They were reference components for some time. You need to match them with a livelier sounding pre. Try tube preamps from Nagra, Wavac etc to match 33’s high input impedance. Another option is Audio Consulting passive pre (transformer based) which is a great match IMHO.
Please keep in mind that their big capacitors fail. Regarding the age I bet they’re already changed. BTW 33H pair are better though.

 

[Solypsa]

Would be handy to have a list of some HOT albums which could be used to check and adjust gain, if necessary.

Some of the Detroit techno classics cut by NSC are transferred at a very high level. Not necessarily the most dynamic but average levels are very hot.

 

[rDin]

BTW 33H pair are better though

I couldn't justify/afford the energy costs of mine any more. Each 33H idling at 250w, and then drawing near 2kW when playing. The Bel Canto draws around 40w and has higher output rating than ML.

 

[mtemur]

I couldn't justify/afford the energy costs of mine any more. Each 33H idling at 250w, and then drawing near 2kW when playing. The Bel Canto draws around 40w and has higher output rating than ML.

My friend complained exactly the same reason while he had 33H.

 

[rDin]

I'm still scratching my head how we went from abundant cheap energy "back in the day", and not concerned about running costs of things like Mark Levinson amps, or light bulbs(!), to being terrified of turning any appliances on these days... maybe I just wasn't paying attention back then *shrug*? And that's terrified AFTER converting the house to all low energy appliances. Something has gone very badly awry.

The other issue with the 33H was the H for HEAT. Also had to run aircon in the summer to combat the added heat from these units, adding to running expense. Nice in the colder months though!