BeoGram

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

chartz — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:22:02 GMT

DanDaMan:

Hello?!?!? Bass at zero?!?!? Incomprehensible!

DanDaMan:

And on that note, I'd like to thank all of you who held my hand through this entire thread, and wish all of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

You're most welcome, my friend. Any time.

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:18:58 GMT

chartz:

Don't you worry. When using the two sets at the same time, just don't push the amp too hard... Leave the bass at the zero setting and the loudness disengaged and you should be fine!

By the way, I should also mention that I had the bass turned all the way up. I admit I was a bit worried when you said leave the bass at zero. Hello?!?!? Bass at zero?!?!? Incomprehensible! But it responded fine, and I could not discern any distortion.

It's all good.

Thanks again!

- Dan

New receiver + B&O turntable = B L I S S

DanDaMan — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:13:01 GMT

I spoke to support person at Sherwood this afternoon and got a short lesson on impedance. He basically put my mind at ease and pretty much repeated what Jacques offered. The receiver has a safety shutoff if it ever overloads.

I got everything hooked up, and we christened the unit with "the" Boston album, and followed that with REO Speedwagon. And, yes, I pushed it, and it responded just fine. Bliss! BLISS! Just going through the collection to REMEMBER what we have. Jackson Browne is up next. Can't find my "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" though, and I am majorly bummed by that. Gotta be around here somewhere.

The nicest surprise? My 15-year old daughter is just amazed at the great music we had in the 70's and "why don't they make music like that now?"

Oh my, I think my Christmas was just made.

And on that note, I'd like to thank all of you who held my hand through this entire thread, and wish all of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:13:48 GMT

Actually, I use only one pair of speakers. It's just that both pairs are 8 ohms.

So, if I use only one pair of the 8 ohm speakers, does that reduce the risk of harming the receiver? (As opposed to using two pairs?)

I'm not at all familiar with impedance, although I did read up a bit on the subject online today, it's still not clear to me how it all fits. I just want to play music and not be worried that I'm going to blow the amp if I play something. I'm a 50-something and I'll play just about anything but wall-jarring type music. Like John Denver, Journey, Asia, Elton John, etc. No Metallica, and nothing that will make the windows shake.

I guess it comes down to subjectivity. What's loud to me might not be loud to you, and vice versa.

Are there any warning signs that will tell me that I'm pushing the receiver too hard?

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

chartz — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:29:11 GMT

Hi,

Don't you worry. When using the two sets at the same time, just don't push the amp too hard... Leave the bass at the zero setting and the loudness disengaged and you should be fine!

Merry Christmas!

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:37:51 GMT

The Sherwood came, I read the manual as I was setting up, and it says:

For safe amplifier operation, use the speakers with impedance of over 8Ω when you use only SPEAKER A or B terminals and use the speakers with impedance of over 16Ω when you use both SPEAKER A and B terminals.

Both sets of speakers I own have 8Ω impedance. I wasn't expecting this. How does using speakers with 8Ω impedance cause usafe amplifier operation?

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

chartz — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:04:42 GMT

You're welcome! Do keep us informed please!

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:49:23 GMT

Jacques, you were right about the typo; a Sherwood salesman verified that for me.

I ordered this today, hope to have it within a week.

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your help!

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

chartz — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:09:23 GMT

Yes but most probably the ±3 dB is a typo error though! ±0.3 dB sounds more like it from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, the useful bandwidth. 100kHz is irrelevant anyway, because we can't hear much past 15 kHz, and 10 Hz is also anecdotical!

I'm sure the lesser model will be fine as well.

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:58:02 GMT

chartz:

You don't need to call Sherwood at all. It WILL work, I guarantee!

I take it for granted that your RX2 has RCA (Cinch) plugs for the amp of course, since you had an NAD.

Good question! I am nearly absolutely certain the RX2 has the RCA plugs, but it's been a few years since I looked back there. I'll check when I get home tomorrow night.

Hey, one more quick question: In addition to the aforementioned Sherwood RX-5502, I am also looking at their RX-4109 which has similar specs, the big difference is that the 5502 has connects for two pair of speakers, and the 4109, only one pair. But the specs had one seemingly significant difference under Frequency Response that I am wondering about:

RX-5502: Phono(MM), RIAA, 20 Hz~20 kHz ................... ±0.3 dB
Line(CD,DVD,TAPE,AUX), 10 Hz~100 kHz ...... ±3 dB
RX-4109: Phono(MM), RIAA, 30 Hz~20 kHz ................... ±3 dB
Line(CD,TAPE,AUX), 20 Hz~100 kHz .............. ±3 dB

First, I'm wondering if the "±0.3 dB" on the 5502 is a typo. If it isn't, is the difference significant?

Second, I noticed that the range spec'd is different between the two units. Is there a reason for that? Or would you generally expect the spec'd range to be the same across all of a given manufacturer's units?

Finally, I am overwhelmed at the quick and frequent responses I've received in this forum! It really has boosted my confidence that I am making a purchase that will work well for me. Thanks to all!

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

Doctor — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:41:50 GMT

All B&O stereo cartridges work on the same principle and all cxan be treated as moving magnet. The output is however slightly lower than an average moving magnet cartridge so you will need to turn the volume up an extra notch compared to the CD player! But I dare say that this will not be a problem! Ortofon use the same system in some of their moving magnet cartridges as do Decca.

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:31:34 GMT

burantek:

Hi Dan and welcome from me as well!

Have you given any consideration to an older BeoMaster and be done with it?

Thanks!

No, I hadn't done that, it really wasn't on my radar. I trust that by "older", you mean "pre-owned"? I'd have to consider price, the condition of a used unit, and going without a warranty. The latter two items being a major deal for me.

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

chartz — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:20:45 GMT

You don't need to call Sherwood at all. It WILL work, I guarantee!

I take it for granted that your RX2 has RCA (Cinch) plugs for the amp of course, since you had an NAD.

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

burantek — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:16:08 GMT

Hi Dan and welcome from me as well!

Have you given any consideration to an older BeoMaster and be done with it?

Re: Does MMC cartridge require using head amplifier or step-up transformer?

DanDaMan — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:11:55 GMT

chartz:

DanDaMan:

• Input sensitivity, 47 kΩ
Phono(MM) .................................................................... 2.5 mV

It will fit alright, go ahead!

Sorry, you were too fast for me to see this reply before I sent that last one!