Helikon LOADING


Hi, I am really confused as to what is the right loading for this cartridge. The info that came with cartridge recommends 100 ohms to 47 K ohms. The inernal resistance is 5.5 ohms. This is quite a big range to decipher the 'correct' loading or 'equalization'(my analogy)and also tough to find the right phono that matches with unknown loading. I am auditioning few phonos at present and want to slect the right combination.

Also I want to have phono that is future proof, that is if I explore in multiple different cartridges, the phono amp is/will be compatible with these Carts. I read form past threads that general guideline is 25 times its internal impedance. How hard and fast this rule is?

So what is YOUR HELIKON LOADING? and how did you decide this value?

thx,

Nil
nilthepill

Showing 7 responses by jeff_jones

Nsgarch - Thanks. If I understand your approach,the 25x rule of thumb is a loading starting point. You are not really trying to match impedance between cartridge & phono pre but trying to find a sweet spot for cartridge loading that is within acceptable gain parameters for your phono pre.
Nsgarch - Good stuff, thanks! I started out out of phase with you on terminology.
Gmorris - isn't it Z*Z=R*R + iX*iX?

Other thing, nobody has talked about loading providing mechanical damping of the cartridge. I wonder if it is important?
Gmorris - Thought you were using iX for inductive reactance, point taken.
Am still wondering if anyone will bite on mechanical damping being an important (or not) aspect of cart loading though. Happy listening all!
Nsgarch - Just pondering magnetic damping from the cart working like an alternator. If you go back to your descriptions of sound at too high and too low of loading values, it is similar to what you would expect of an underdamped and overdamped (respectively) suspension.