Moving Magnet Cartridges; Moving Coil Cartridges - Decware zp3 Zen Triode Phono Stage Owner's Manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
!

MOVING MAGNET CARTRIDGES

!
The ZP3 is what is commonly referred to as a 47K moving magnet phono stage.
Meaning by itself it is set up for the typical moving magnet phono cartridge with a 47K
impedance.
!
The ideal output level for a moving magnet cartridge used with the ZP3 is 5 milivolts or
higher when no preamp is used so that the output of the ZP3 equals that of a standard
2 volt CD player or DAC. If a preamp is used, cartridges with lower outputs can be
explored.
!
Even when a preamp is used, we find that higher output cartridges give greater density
and weight to the sound when paired with the ZP3.
!
!
!

MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES

!
A moving coil cartridge has up to 10 times lower output than a moving coil cartridge
and requires a step up device to bring it's output level up to that of a standard moving
magnet cartridge. We find the best sounding way to achieve this is with a Step Up
Transformer.
!
Decware makes three models of Step Up Transformers that cover the majority of phono
cartridges on the market. The most common by far is our model ZMC-1.
!
!
!
MODEL ZP3
!
!
The ZMC step up device, shown left, is
simply connected between your tonearm
cable and the phono stage. Use
shielded cables for both the tonearm and
between the ZMC and the phono stage.
(NOTE: if the cable of your tonearm is
captive then it is shield).
!
The power connector on the ZMC is not
used except by some studios for special
grounding considerations. The ZMC is a
passive device and uses no power.
!
!
www.decware.com
REV. DATE 2/2016