Sorry it's been so long for a response. The MC-7 is an exceptional unit!! However, yes you will find it a pain matching gain but after a while incomes natural, I use my Mac mini for music so I just use the inferior volume control on iTunes (I can't hear a difference, does ahpnything else matter).

As far as gain goes, Holy cow batman,this thing has so much gain its INSANE!! Phono I don't think quite as much but the linestage gain MORE than makes up for it.

systembuilder February 20, 2013 21:53

System edited: Man its coming along fast. I never thought I would get here this quick. Some awesome cables and Im golden

systembuilder October 09, 2011 16:10

System edited: I am starting to finish up after getting back into audio porn again, I feel I have hit a brick wall of diminishing results. When I get some more money I want to get a Velodyne SMS-1 another HGS-12 Subwoofer. Send my Amp and Preamp to Bill Thallman for a much deserved 20 year service and Hotrodding. And I am thinking about getting a pair of MIT 750 Shotgun Speaker cables as their in my budget and would match the 330's probably in musicality and not be too revealing. Ah and then Ill be at a point where I can feel I have a very nice system that will hopefully mate as perfect as I hope and I can be done. I wanted to incorporate tubes into the system but I just cant afford it and my Preamp is Phenomenal so it cant go and I really dont want to spend 3K on an amp. I thought about it and my gear mates up well. Sometimes its best to be happy with what you have, Besides I want but dont want a 100LB+ amp (My back hurts just thinking about it, no ones around when you need a hand moving gear)

systembuilder July 01, 2011 19:00

System edited: So I now have the system pretty much dialed. My only long term plans are cables, Sending the Preamp and amp(s) (Maybe getting another MF200) to Bill Thallman for Upgrading/Restoration locking me into this awesome system forever. I was also thinking another Velodyne HGS12 so I have one for each channel and Hot-Rodding my B&W Matrix 804's with better internal speaker cable and maybe better caps in the crossover. But man she is sounding good. The Phonostage on the Motif is AWESOME!!!

systembuilder March 30, 2011 04:26

System edited: Shes Coming along. Just Scored A Sonographe SG3 and a Ortofon Kontrapunkt Cartridge. And I just Scored and got a Motif MC-7 Preamp coming next week. Oh and I just got a Zoethecus 4 Shelf rack. Its amazing how it actually makes a real and legitamate upgrade and looks purty too

systembuilder March 18, 2011 07:05

System edited: I need advice on a Full function Gem Preamp in the 700-1200 Range. I am looking at The CJ Premier 3 and also the Premier Ten with a seperate Phono. I am interested in the older CAT SL-1's and I would kill for an Conrad Johnson Evolution 20. I just know its the one for some reason. I dont know why I just do. you ever get that?

systembuilder March 14, 2011 21:44

System edited: Ok So Im keeping the amp, Speakers and sub till i can find a HGS18, Looking into a Mcintosh C29 Preamp or Conrad Johnson PV11. I am also Deciding between a HRT Streamer II+ and a Istreamer (None of my music is 24/96 does that matter?)

systembuilder February 15, 2011 04:14

System edited: I sold all my gear as the economy hit, Now Im gonna rebuild bigger and better and badder than ever before. I listen to rock rap and alot of other stuff in that order I am currently saving for a Conrad Johnson MF-200 Amp and PV11 or Premier 10 Preamp I have been looking at the underwood HIFI Modified PS Audio Digital Link III as I need a DAC with a USB I like the velodyne HGS18's as there about a $900 used and there just 2 hours away if it breaks I have been looking at aerials 10T and some of the older genesis speakers (Way out of my range but man Arnie Nudell when he was pissed and had to prove himself again probably built a hell of a speaker)

systembuilder January 09, 2011 08:01