Beginner Vinyl with Pro-Ject, Ortofon & Hegel

A review of the Pro-Ject Debut Pro & Hegel V10 Phono Stage

I never got round to trying vinyl on this channel, so this is my first experience and it got me on a mini vinyl spending spree. For all the disadvantages of the vinyl playback chain there are still big reasons to get into it – the resurgence of Vinyl and content available, the nostalgic value of vinyl and the tonality and quality of this playback medium.

Whilst it doesn’t normally fit my personal way of listening to audio – I am a product of the digital media generation, I get why these products are popular and it is far from just about me in regard to which products get rated. One has to look to others and put myself in their position.

In part one I tackle all the concepts that a newb vinyl person would need to know, different cartridges – MC, and MM, with reference to the Pro-Ject Debut Pro, and Hegel V10. What settings you need to set on your phono stage, where it sits in the playback chain and how to set up a fairly typical turntable.

Specifications : Hegel V10 Phono stage

Amplifier Typology: Ultra low noise discrete JFET transistor input stage for both MC and MM
Gain XLR Out MM: 40dB / 45dB / 50dB / 52dB
Gain XLR Out MC: 60dB / 65dB / 70dB / 72dB
Gain RCA Out MM: 34dB / 39dB / 44dB / 46dB
Gain RCA Out MC: 54dB / 59dB / 64dB / 66dB
MC Load Impedance: Freely adjustable between 33 and 550 ohm / 47 kohm
MM Load Capacitance: 100pF / 147pF / 220pF / 247pF / 320pF / 420pF / 467pF @ 47 kohm
Subsonic Filter: Switchable on / off, -3dB at 20Hz, -18dB octave
RIAA Accuracy: +/- 0,2dB / 20Hz – 20kHz
Output Noise*: -84dB/MM (“A” weighted ref: 0dBV), -81dB/MC (“A” weighted ref: 0dBV)
Output Impedance XLR / RCA: 200 ohm
Channel Crosstalk: -84dB @1kHz 0dBV
Frequency Response: 2Hz – 20kHz
Distortion (THD) MM: < 0.005% @1kHz 0dBV
Distortion (THD) MC: < 0.009% @1kHz 0dBV
Inputs: 1 x unbalanced (RCA) MM, 1 x unbalanced (RCA) MC
Outputs: 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x balanced fixed (XLR)
Power Adapter: Hegel Power Adapter M30103
Dimensions with Feet: 6cm x 21cm x 28cm, 2.4″ x 8,3″ x 11″ (H x W x D)
Weight: 2,2kg / 4,9lbs unit weight
* When stable operating temperature has been reached

Part 2 – My experience of MC Cartridges (Ortofon Quintet Blue)

In part 2 my interest is piqued in terms of how does a MC cartridge benefit the Hegel V10 phono stage and listening experience – follow it from the video below;

Specifications : Pro-Ject Debut Pro Turntable

Speed : 33, 45/(78) (electronic speed change)
Drive principle: belt drive with electronic speed control
Platter: 300mm, die cast aluminium platter with TPE damping and felt mat
Platter bearing: high precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushing
Wow & flutter: 33: +/-0,16%; 45: +/-0,14%
Speed drift: 33: +/-0,40%; 45: +/-0,50%
Signal to noise: 68dB
Tonearm: 8,6” one-piece carbon-aluminium tonearm
Effective arm length/mass: 218,5 mm / 10,0 g
Overhang: 18,5mm
Included accessories: 15V DC / 0,8A power supply, dust cover, 78 RPM round belt, 7‘‘ single adapter
Power consumption: 4W / 0W standby
Dimensions: 415 x 113 x 320mm (WxHxD)
Weight: 6kg net