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Higher Impedance MC Carts on Transimpedance Stages?

Can anyone explain what happens if one pairs a transimpedance / current injection phono stage with a moving coil cartridge whose impedance may be higher than optimal? What would the result be?

This question arose from someone who wanted my thoughts on the BMC MCCI Signature ULN phono stage that I use as my reference, but that individual is using a Kiseki Blue which is spec’d to have an internal impedance of 40 Ohm, which I’ve found is higher than typical MC cartridges. 

@lewm and @rauliruegas, you guys likely can answer this easily, but of course open to anyone else that can explain.

Thanks!

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Showing 1 response by rdk777

rdk777's avatar
rdk777
567 posts
 

Mathematically, current (I) is defined as the Voltage (V) divided by the Resistance (R):

I = V/R

The current (I) is inversely proportional to the resistance (R) , i.e., the higher the current, the lower the resistance and vice versa, the lower the current, the higher the resistance.  Therefore if the resistance of your cartridge is high, you will get lower current and as a result also lower voltage.  High impedance cartridges will result in lower output and will sound like your phonostage doesn’t have adequate gain.

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