2. analog
  3. 1077562228

cartridge loading ?

it sounds to me as if the level increases as i increase the load on my cartridge. furthermore, it sounds as if i get some attack distortion,like a solid state stomp box for guitar, when i increase the loading above 1000 ohms. if the loading is an increase in resistance, why don't i experience decreased volume/level as i increase the load and why don't i get a muffling of the attack rather than transient distortion? am i completely confused still about cartridge physics/electronics or do i have middle age ear disease?
thanks,
jon
jwblaschke

Showing 1 response by herman

herman
2,282 posts
 
The cartridge acts like a curent generator i.e. it trys to put out the same current no matter what the load is.

Using the equation V = I x R (voltage = current times resistance) it is clear that as resistance goes up with a constant current, the voltage will go up. The phono stage amplifys this voltage so the bigger the load resistance, the higher the output.

I'm not sure what you mean by attack distortion, but as a general rule, the high frequency energy will increase as the load resistance is increased.
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