27-Dec-2021, 14:02
Hi SB
I plugged in my Expert 120 for the first time today. There was a bit of trepidation on my part as I had read - after purchasing this amp - that low output moving coils were likely to suffer from hiss. My peripherals of note are a Supex 900 MkIV cartridge (in a modded Thorens TD150 and modded Rega RB300 arm), which has an output of just 0.2mV - much lower than the average MC (which is around 0.4-0.5mV). For comparison, I have Tidal (Master level) via a Cambridge CXN V2. Speakers are Kef LS50 Metas. I also have a KC62 subwoofer, which I plan to connect tomorrow.
How did the Supex work with the MC input? I'd say that the result is about 95%. I listened to Bill Evan's "You Must Believe in Spring", which I have had for 40 years. I had been using a Harmon Kardon HK6500 amp (70 wpc and high current), which saw off a Musical Fidelity A3.2. The HK produced a good sound, but the Devialet/Supex lifted the game to another level. Clearer, more detailed, sweeter. Why 95% and not 100%? Well, there is no hum as I feared. However, there is a faint noise coming from both speakers which is like a slight pulse. It is hidden behind the music and only apparent when the sound is turned down. It rises and falls with the volume. It is not present when the phono is changed to another input. I am hoping someone will comment about this.
Regards from Perth
Derek
I plugged in my Expert 120 for the first time today. There was a bit of trepidation on my part as I had read - after purchasing this amp - that low output moving coils were likely to suffer from hiss. My peripherals of note are a Supex 900 MkIV cartridge (in a modded Thorens TD150 and modded Rega RB300 arm), which has an output of just 0.2mV - much lower than the average MC (which is around 0.4-0.5mV). For comparison, I have Tidal (Master level) via a Cambridge CXN V2. Speakers are Kef LS50 Metas. I also have a KC62 subwoofer, which I plan to connect tomorrow.
How did the Supex work with the MC input? I'd say that the result is about 95%. I listened to Bill Evan's "You Must Believe in Spring", which I have had for 40 years. I had been using a Harmon Kardon HK6500 amp (70 wpc and high current), which saw off a Musical Fidelity A3.2. The HK produced a good sound, but the Devialet/Supex lifted the game to another level. Clearer, more detailed, sweeter. Why 95% and not 100%? Well, there is no hum as I feared. However, there is a faint noise coming from both speakers which is like a slight pulse. It is hidden behind the music and only apparent when the sound is turned down. It rises and falls with the volume. It is not present when the phono is changed to another input. I am hoping someone will comment about this.
Regards from Perth
Derek
