I'd like to get a "once and for all" answer to the question of how much the ZMCs increase the cartridge signal.  Steve seems to list contradictory specs.    


From the ZMC web page:


ZMC1

For low output MC cartridges

1:20 ratio for use with 3~25 ohm cartridges.

ZMC2

For high output MC cartridges

1:10 ratio for use with 3~100 ohm cartridges.

ZMC3

For high impedance MC cartridges

1:12 ratio for use with 25~100 ohm cartridges.



In the current ZP3 Manual he lists:

GAIN
The ZP3 has apron 43dB of gain for use with moving magnet cartridges. The ZMC
step up transformers add around 20dB for use with moving coil cartridges.



And finally, on the ZP3 web page he lists:

Gain            + 42 dB
With optional step up transformer + 61dB



I've always taken the gain for the ZMC1 as 20X which is 26 dB, I think.  The ZMC2, with  10X gain corresponds to a +20 dB gain.

Can anyone confirm this?  Steve?  The way my 0.34 mV MC cart plays with my ZMC1 into my ZP3 leads me to believe that I'm correct and the ZMC1 gain is 20X or 26 dB but confirmation sure would be nice.

So, which do you think it is for the ZMC1, 20X (26dB) or 20dB?  I'm guessing the first.

I agree that it seems to fit the ZMC2 but since most seem to use the ZMC1, I'd think Steve would post clear specifications for that one too -- or all three, even better.  I think my confusion started when he began posting a dB spec for the ZMCs.  When he only listed 20X, 10X and 12X it was clear, if not non-standard (since dB is commonly the way gain is given).