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How to pick a COMPATIBLE phono cartridge

As follow-up to my recent post titled "Da Benz", I'm trying to better educate myself on how to pick a phono cartridge. There are many to choose from but I don't know which "type(s)" (i.e., output, etc.) will work well with my setup. Not considering price or characteristics at this point, but simply compatibility . Once I know that I can research options to make a selection. Looking through some past forums I see this can get complicated, so I'll provide some info on my setup:

Conrad Johnson EF-1 Phono Stage
    Gain: 40, 46, 52 db
    Phono Overload: 70 mV (40 db gain setting)
    Hum and Noise: 88 db below 10mV input

Conrad Johnson Premier 16LS Pre Amp
    Gain: 25 db
    Maximum input: 15 vrms
    Output impedance: under 700 ohms
    Hum and noise: 96 db below 1.0 mV

Conrad Johnson Premier 12 mono block Amps
    140 watts per channel
    Input Sensitivity: 0.90 volts to full power
    Input Impedance: 100k ohms

SME IV Arm
    Cartridge weight range: 5 - 16 grams
    Weight: 700 grams

And my leading cartridge candidate is the Benz Micro Wood (available in low, medium, and high versions), specs as follows:
    Output voltage: 0.4 (Low) 0.8 (Medium) 2.5 (High)
    Internal ohms: 12 (Low) 24 (Medium) 90 (High)
    Loading Range: >100 (Low) >1000 (Medium) 47k (High) 
    Weight: 9 grams
    Compliance: 15 (Low) 14 (Medium) 14 (High)
    Tracking 1.6 - 1.9 grams

The high output has been suggested. 

However, what cartridge specs should I be looking at for compatibility sake with my equipment and why? I have no idea!!!!   

Thank you to anyone who's willing to take the time to read and respond to a posting like this! :-)

Randy


rbschauman

Showing 3 responses by tablejockey

tablejockey
3,882 posts
 
"The high output has been suggested."

Your phono/linestage has a combined gain total of 77db's. You can use a very low(less than .5mv) LOMC. Unless there is some specific factor for your CJ gear to NOT use a LOMC, you have plenty of choices in all price points.

If you search here, or other forums, your arm is used by many. Cart choice is all over the place.

Also, following what is "correct" regarding compliance,it  doesn't ensure your subjective "good sound" will be in line with paper specs.

IMO, your ears/wallet ultimately are the judge.
tablejockey
3,882 posts
 
rbschauman-

Perhaps a real expert will chime in, to give you real insight. Without getting into techie talk, all the high performance MC’s are low output-less than.5mv or so.

Maybe your local store was just referring to only the phono stage, not considering your line stage gain adding to the equation?

Your gear is ready for it. Plenty of AT’s/Denons value priced, along with the usual suspects-Benz,Dyna,Lyra etc.

Don’t forget the moving Iron(SoundSmith) line. They aren’t necessarily low output, and a different beast-if you aren’t already familiar with them.

Edit-I see noise factor is mentioned using a lower output cart. Makes sense.

tablejockey
3,882 posts
 
almarg-

10-4 regarding your point. A great spec to be aware of when pulling the trigger and possibly investing  a chunk of cash.
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