Impedance switches on a Jolida JD 9II

Perhaps this is addressed in the Audiokarma thread, but the capacitance can also be set to zero by setting all the pf switches to off. If you had a cart rated at 100 pf, it might sound best with the setting at zero.

@dill  and @mwh777  thank you for the information. With the settings I started with last night I noticed an improvement with bass response and the loudness.

I will dig in and report back.

Hi, idgmusic64,
When I was experimenting with different gain and loading options with the JD9 I found that using a lower impedance setting (higher MC cartridge damping effect) would shift the tonal balance towards the bass frequencies. So the 70 Ohm setting may be preferable in your system. However, loading up the cartridge too much can roll off the high end, so the 100 Ohm setting may be what you need.

As for gain and volume settings, a high output MC cartridge pretty much requires using the "LOW OUT" connection because the JD9 has such high gain to begin with. Are you using the +/- 35dB gain setting or the -55dB setting? If you're already at -35dB and still using the lower end of your volume control you could try using in-line resistors to further reduce the output voltage of the JD9 to better match your integrated amp. That way you'd have much more range in the volume control.

You could try something like -20dB Rothwell attenuators between the JD9 and your integrated amp. The attenuators plug into the RCA inputs on your integrated and you plug your JD9 cables into the attentuators. I use Rothwell attenuators for a CD player and a streamer/DAC to get a better voltage match with my integrated amp and they work really well in my experience.

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html
https://rothwellaudio.16.ekm.shop/in-line-attenuators-2-p.asp

I don't know if a -10dB Rothwell or -12dB Harrison attenuator would reduce the voltage enough but you could give that a try first. I ended up with -10dB attenuators that I don't use because they weren't the right values for my integrated amp but your Sphinx 3 is less sensitive (higher input voltage) than my integrated so the lower value resistors might work well for you.

Tom

@tketcham  wow! Thanks for the insights.
I am currently using the "high out" to my amp. The  Jolida  O & M states "Hi out: 1,8 volt output to integrated amplifiers or line stage preamplifers." so that is why I chose that output. 

I will try the  " Low Out".

With the current settings mentioned above I am getting more  "pop" from my records and they sound much more alive. Good natural bass response but with no loss on the high ends and the sound stage sounds expanded and I can hear better separation.

I also took the @dill 's advice and went for a tube  upgrade across the board. The J9 II will be upgraded to Telefunken 12AX7 smooth plate.
The Black Ice to a Telefunken diamond mark rib plate 12AU7.
The Rouge Sphinx 3 to French Mazda AU7's, which Brent from Audiotubes highly recommend for this unit specifically. Many of his customers have been very happy with this upgrade.

I will go through a  wild  gambit of music today to road test the Jolida.

@dill  here is an  update. I took your advice and upgraded the tubes to 1960's Telefunken smooth plate and picked them up from Brent Jessee, who was extremely helpful.

I also spoke with Mr. Allen at  Jolida, soon to be called Black Ice Audio, and he suggested I start at  zero and  have all the settings turned off, including the voltage gain setting, and  hear what I hear.

I am liking what I am hearing so far but I just installed the new vintage  tubes this morning, so I want to go a week or so as these new tubes  get broken in and see what my ears like before I make an other adjustments.

I also upgraded to a vintage Telefunken tube on my Black Ice Audio Sounder Expander for my Yamaha CACD/DAC player and are loving that  upgrade as well.

Brent also  recommended going to French  1960's Mazda tubes for the Rogue Sphinx 3 too, which I will switch out next weekend. He has many customers who have made the same upgrade on this  unit and have been very happy. That being said it's clear that I just went for it searching for that perfect sound.

Thanks again for your insights.