MC Head Amp
An MC head amp boosts a low-output moving-coil cartridge’s signal for a moving-magnet (MM) phono input. It uses powered amplifier circuitry; a step-up transformer is passive.
Connect the cartridge to the head amp, then the head amp to an MM phono stage. The phono stage still supplies RIAA playback equalisation and further amplification. A head amp alone cannot replace it or feed a normal line input.
The “RCA Line Input/Output” labels below describe connections, not line-level signals. RCA names the connector; the output still feeds an MM phono input.
Here, MC Head Amp covers standalone units. Similar circuitry inside a complete phono stage belongs to Phono amplification.
Match gain to the cartridge’s output and the following phono stage’s input range. Too much gain can cause overload and distortion. For voltage-input head amps, choose a load that follows the cartridge maker’s guidance.
Current-mode designs sense cartridge current instead. Check their stated cartridge resistance and inductance requirements; conventional load-setting advice does not apply unchanged.
Specifications
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
- Specification in preparation
Some capability explanations are in preparation.
Sources
- Piccolo kit manual — Hagerman Technology
- Piccolo MC manual — Hagerman Audio Labs
- Moving Coil Head Amp datasheet — ZinAmp
- Find the right transformer — Ortofon
- Piccolo Zero cartridge requirements — Hagerman Audio Labs
- Piccolo Zero manual — Hagerman Audio Labs