Phono amp or not to phono amp?

[Isle of wight]

I have a Marantz PM 66SE KI Signature amp and have been enjoying my vinyl via an NAD 555 with Goldring 1042. I've just ordered a Project Xperience with an Ortofon Rondo red MC cartridge fitted. My take on this is that I need a phono amp as the Marantz only seems to cater for an MM cartridge. The Specs mention a Magnetic Cartridge input of 2.5mV/47kOhm. I don't want to spend good money on a phono amp if I don't need one.
Having said that, Projects own SE 11 seems a good bet?
Any advice gratefully received.

[proux]

Originally Posted by Isle of wight

I have a Marantz PM 66SE KI Signature amp and have been enjoying my vinyl via an NAD 555 with Goldring 1042. I've just ordered a Project Xperience with an Ortofon Rondo red MC cartridge fitted. My take on this is that I need a phono amp as the Marantz only seems to cater for an MM cartridge. The Specs mention a Magnetic Cartridge input of 2.5mV/47kOhm. I don't want to spend good money on a phono amp if I don't need one.
Having said that, Projects own SE 11 seems a good bet?
Any advice gratefully received.

Phono amp indeed! have a look here http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...41#post7514641

Some would say that with a £300 MC cartridge you need to spend as much (or more) on a phono stage to get the most out of it. On a budget, look at Project ones, but also the Cambridge Audio is supposed to be incredible for the money.

You could in theory buy a step up transformer for the MC and use it with the built-in phono stage, but I suspect that you'll get less value for money this way.

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by proux

Phono amp indeed! have a look here http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...41#post7514641

Some would say that with a £300 MC cartridge you need to spend as much (or more) on a phono stage to get the most out of it. On a budget, look at Project ones, but also the Cambridge Audio is supposed to be incredible for the money.

You could in theory buy a step up transformer for the MC and use it with the built-in phono stage, but I suspect that you'll get less value for money this way.

Oh, your an expert now

[proux]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Oh, your an expert now

You can tell I didn't have much else to do this weekend!