Na 323 MM & MC boards

Posted by: Mikeandvan on 06 October 2016

Been using MM phono boards in my Nac 72, specifically 322 (issue 1), with a standard Heybrook TT2/RB300/DL110, been quite happy with the sound. Then got hold of an Origin Live silver mk 3a tonearm that came with a MC cart, an Ortofon Rondo red, and 323K boards - issue 4, mint condition boards. Obviously there's quite an upgrade using this new arm and cart, but I'm surprised at how much louder my little Nac is now with the new set up. You only have to turn the volume to 9 or 10 oclock for a decent volume, with the mm set up it was 12 oclock. Overall presentation is more slightly more muscular whilst still keeping the relaxed nature of the 72 that I think is the reason so many love it. Is it typical for the 323k boards to be so much louder than the 322? Forgive my ignorance if this is typical of mc opposed to mm carts, just beginning to experiment with carts/phono stages etc. But these 323 boards, at £50, what would you have to spend nowadays to better them? With some of my records the sound is a little loud and forced even at lowish volumes, any one explain?

Posted on: 06 October 2016 by ianrobertm

It depends... If your MM cart was relatively low in its output, compared to what Naim assumed (with the 322 boards), it will be a bit quiet. Similarly, if you MC cart is a bit higher in output, compare to the low output Supex/Linn MC carts (which the 323's were designed for), it will be a bit louder. 

The 322/323 boards were Naim State of the Art at the time. You can assume the 522/523 series boards are better, I think. Clearly the Superline would be much better too. Stageline - I cannot say.

The 'sound' IMO would be more to do with the actual cart, than the boards.

Posted on: 07 October 2016 by Richard Dane

Mike, although the Denon DL-110 is marketed as a so-called 'high output" MC, its output is actually little higher than a medium output MC.  As such, although you can use it with NA322 MM boards, you do need to really crank up the pre-amp volume control.  I'm told that the NA323 E boards actually work rather better with the DL-110 even though the gain is perhaps in theory a little too high in this instance.  I have a DL-110 stashed away somewhere so if I ever come across a set of E or R boards i'll try it out.

Posted on: 07 October 2016 by Mikeandvan

Thanks, I wondered whether a few components   could be changed on both boards so they suit each cart better?

Posted on: 07 October 2016 by Richard Dane

That's a question that falls outside of forum AUP.  Your dealer may be willing to change load resistance values - 100R is sometimes used - but anything else is asking for trouble.

The problem you have is that the DL-110 falls between two stools - too low in output for a MM input (but still useable) and too high for an MC input.  The E version of the 323 boards probably gets closest to the ideal with the 110.

Posted on: 08 October 2016 by Mikeandvan

Thanks again Richard, any idea about my other cart, the Ortofon Rondo Red? I use it with the 323K cards, and its a bit loud.

Posted on: 09 October 2016 by ianrobertm

I knew nothing about the Ortofon Rondo Red,... but Google does.....  Seems its output while 'low', is higher than some - at nominally 0.5mV.

Whereas - again thanks Google - the LInn 'K' series are only 0.3mV - which is what the 323 'K' boards were designed for. So, your Ortofon is (nominally) louder than, say, a Linn Karma.

To complete the story - your Denon DL110's output is 1.3mV.  Again, thanks Google. So, as Richard said (above), the Denon has a low output, amongst the 'high output' Moving Coils. 

I have used Dynavector high output MC's for many years, running into Naim 322 or 522 boards. These have a (nominal) out of 2.5mV. Which is 'low' compared to most MM's - but (IMHO) quite acceptable in terms of loudness.