Novo Headphone amp
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: MM: Moving Magnet | MC: Moving Coil
Forum Description: Learn about the differences between moving magnet and moving coil cartridges here
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:12am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Novo Headphone amp
Posted By: JohnH
Subject: Novo Headphone amp
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2009 at 9:54pm
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Hi
I have just completed building the Novo Head amp and after trying it with my Rocksan turntable which has an Audio technica ATOC9 Moving Coil cartridge, I realize that this will not work with this amp, what would be my best bet so that I can use this for listening with my AKG K701's.
Building the kit was really easy and the info was first rate.
All the best
John
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Replies:
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 1:25am
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John, Are you going straight from the turntable into the Novo? Graham ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: JohnH
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 6:36pm
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Hi Graham
Yes, direct from the turntable into the Novo.
Cheers
John
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Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 8:01pm
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Hi John, We're here to help. What you need is a phono preamp between the two. You haven't wasted your money, but you will need a phono preamp. You don't have to buy one of ours, however, we are about to bring out the Genera phono preamp kit... Now, the OC9 is a moving coil and that requires a moving coil phono preamp, and there will be two types of Genera kit: 1] a moving magnet sensitivity and 2] a moving coil sensitivity preamp - you want this one. Let me explain in further detail... The Novo is designed for a line input, that is to say, a source such as a CD player, radio tuner or tape recorder (or even a computer's audio output jack). These outputs are in the order of 1/4 to 2 Volts rms. They also have a "flat" tonal response, which means the bass, midrange and treble are all at similar volumes. The OC9 cartridge has an output of only around 0.0003V (300 micro Volts), plus its tonal balance is dependant on the velocity of the record grooves. This means the bass output will be just 0.00003V (30 micro volts); the midrange (centred on a frequency of 1,000 Hz [cycles per second]) 0.0003V (300 micro volts - which is where its output is specified); and the treble 0.003V (3,000 micro volts or 3 milli volts). In decibel terms, a gain of about 60 decibels (dB) is required (for moving coil - moving magnet needs about 40dB) at the specified midrange frequency - that's where a phono preamp comes in. It not only provides all that gain (60dB equals a thousand times), but also lifts the lower level bass and attenuates the higher level treble to give a "flat" response. Each of the "Genera's" will do that and they will do that incredibly well. Now, if you have a signal source such as a CD player, radio tuner or tape recorder (or even a computer's audio output jack), you can enjoy your Novo and discover how well your efforts were, for the time being. I do hope this helps and please let me know if you need more help. Best wishes, Graham ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: JohnH
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 8:27pm
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Thanks for that Graham
I will look forward to the Genera kits release.
I must just say that I have had a couple hours listening to the Novo fed by various inputs and I can only say that I have been missing something all these years! The sound is absolutely new (Depth, Width and involvement).
Again thank you for the fantastic service and backup, I will definately be in the market for the Genera.
All the best
John
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Posted By: JohnH
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2009 at 8:12am
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Hi Again Graham
Do you have a release date (and price) for the Genera kit?
I have been looking at the Gram Amp3 on your website would this be suitable? as you can tell I am not at all technical in these matters.
Thanks again
John
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Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2009 at 6:20pm
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Hi John, Yes the Gram Amp 3 Fanfare will be OK. In fact a bit more than OK because I have an OC9 and use it in development work of.... you guessed - the Fanfare (as well as the new more expensive MC stages soon to be announced). I also use an Ortofon Salsa and Goldring Eroica. If the stages work well with these I guess they'll work better with all those exotic (read expensive) cartridges. Best wishes, Graham ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: JohnH
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2009 at 7:26am
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Hi Graham.
Me again, if I decide to go for the Fanfare pre amp, I may as well go the whole hog and change my power amp as well. At the moment I am using a Linn Intek, plus I have a pair of Hi-Fi World Mullard valve amps which I built some years ago in the loft that I may resurect, what would be your recomendation? ditch the lot? or something new?
Cheers
John
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Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2009 at 8:30am
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John
What's your budget? Valve or solid state? etc. ------------- http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level. |
Posted By: JohnH
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 5:27pm
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Hello Graham
I have been ruminating on changes to my system since building the Novo head amp and listening to a different and infinitely better sound with headphones via the Novo.
My existing system is Roksan Xerxes, Tabriz arm AT OC9 mc cartridge, Rotel RCD-965BX CD player, Linn Intek integrated amp, Mission 753 speakers.
I have previously used the Linn Intek as a pre-amp going into Hi-Fi world kit Mullard 5-30 valve amps, but my wife put her foot down as to the aesthetics of these, so these are residing in the loft.
I would like to go solid state for the amplification, I have looked at your site and would like to continue with your products due to the previous mentioned improvements.
I have looked at Gram Amp 3 Fanfare and this looks great, but then I continue to look at more expensive options i.e. Era gold (both versions) and the Elevator EXP, I know this is a completely unfair question! but would the extra money continue to give the required improvements?
What would be your choice?
Also in your previous post you mentioned the Genera kit that is due out, would this be out in the near future?
Sorry to put you in a difficult position but from reading through your site you don't seem to hold your punches and speak your mind eloquently.
All the very best
JohnH
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Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 5:48am
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The truth is the Era Gold V - after a 4 week burn-in and then being powered on all the time - gives a very satisfying listen in a properly balanced system... But as a properly balanced system could be beyond most of us for one reason or another (including domestic harmony), even though I guess 99.9% of Era Gold V owners are still very happy indeed, perhaps it's not going to be the answer for all? Budget restrictions will mean it won't be the answer for many and that's why we put in so much effort to our lower priced phono preamps too. (For MC cartridge use you would have the added expense of the Elevator EXP to step-up the signal to the MM level the Era Gold V requires) So, if budget restrictions were the case the remaining choice for the MC OC9 would be the Gram Amp 3 "Fanfare". The Fanfare has been worked on hard since it's introduction around 2005/2006. Most customers have been pleased as punch with its performance but you always get some detractors in the press who spot failings whether real - or red herrings to promote their favourite brand (the one that fills the back pocket... the one's we know told us that) Small firm survival is a bit different to larger businesses or SME's as those in power misname them.... Having hereby justified our policy of continual improvement, the Fanfare is a very good listen (still) and now gets round virtually all the "minor niggles" real or imaginary through simply being "breathed upon" every month or so as the ideas develop or those found to work well on other products are tried in it. (I do struggle with all this PC you know...  )As for the Genera, people ask me if they will be kit versions of the SE and the Fanfare, but do you think I could say yes to that? The truth is that from the case and PCB shape they will be as different as chalk and cheese... (It's the things I'm not saying you need to listen to) ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |