more gain?

[Karl5150]

While waiting on new tubes for my Integrated Reduction, I hooked up the little Rega Phono mini. As expected imaging took a hit and everything is cruder, but.....fed what is obviously a bigger signal my S.E.X. amp driving the 4 Ohm Fostex OBs (augmented by the powered sub) can rock the house. It is all relative I know but I am blown away at what 2W/Ch can do.
This all begs the question: Short of scrapping the Reduction for an Eros, what can a poor boy do to feed this little amp what it needs?

[fullheadofnothing]

The gain of a Rega Phono Mini is 40dB. That's the 4dB more than a stock Reduction, the same as an Integrated Reduction. IIRC, you haven't had a fully functional Integrated Reduction yet, so the difference may be less than you think. As for what to do, you could get a cartridge with a higher output or add a preamp to the mix.

[Karl5150]

Thanks Josh
 
Patience not being on my short list of virtues (I was ready to replace transistors on a board that a second look showed a mis-wire) I guess I should wait for the tubes.

My cart is rated at 5.5mV, I've seen Regas in the same league rated at around 7. Significant?
As far as pre-amps the Bottlehead choices are limited. Would the Quickie do the job (if needed) without sonic penalties?
(Just looking to broaden my slim knowledge base at this point)

Thanks again,
Karl

[Paul Birkeland]

Hello Karl,

There are indeed a few users who have paired Quickies with their SEX amps and Steremours for a bit more gain.

Also, the C4S upgrade in the SEX amp will raise its gain a bit as well.

-PB

[Karl5150]

Now that it is up and fully operational, the upgraded Reduction/S.E.X. do have substantially more juice. If I were to employ a Quickie to up the ante, would it be positioned between the TT and phono stage?

[Paul Birkeland]

You would want the Quickie between the phono stage and the SEX amp.