Less than 10 ohms is a good rule of thumb. But not all "current-driven" phono stages are created equal, as they all have an input impedance that is in reality greater than zero. The one Chakster uses comes the closest to zero input impedance of any I know about. But most present an impedance of from 2 to as high as 12 ohms. Therefore, it’s a case by case question of whether you will get a great result or just a very good result, depending upon both the cartridge and the phono stage. The Kleos is well suited to trying. I’m using an Ortofon MC2000 (internal impedance 2 ohms) with a one-off product made by EMIA for me. Its input impedance is higher than average, yet the combo sounds excellent. It’s the first set-up that allows me to hear what the MC2000 can really do. (MC2000 has super low voltage output = .05mV, and I did not want to try an SUT.)
Is a Lyra Kleos good with a current-mode phono preamp?
Does anyone know whether the Kleos, or Lyra's in general, work well with current-mode phono preamps?
MF "highly recommends the $2500 Channel D Lino C2.0 phono preamplifier", but only if, "your cartridge has a super-low internal impedance." I have a Lyra Kleos, which has an "internal Impedance: 5.4 ohms." Is that in the ballpark of, "super-low internal impedance?" What is?
I might be tempted to try one, given the glowing reviews, which you rarely see at this price point. On the other hand, I have not had good luck paying attention to MF's reviews, educational though they sometimes are. His taste and mine do not often seem to coincide, but then, I like tubes, and don't have $100K amps or turntables or $50K preamps. Never will!
Are there less expensive cartridges with low output impedance? The Kleos is terrific, and dealing with Lyra was a delight, but it isn't likely I'll ever be spending over $3.7K on a cartridge again. In a review of the Little Loco by Sutherland, also touted as a great bargain (although $4K is far from trivial, to me) I recall that one of those guys was surprised that it didn't work very well with a Lyra Delos, which has an input impedance of 8.2 ohms. Is that not considered, "low output impedance", or was something else going on?
What is the downside (unavoidable, given the art of trade-offs, a/k/a/ engineering) of current-mode preamps, compared to "normal" voltage amp phono preamps?
for reference, I'm currently (hah!) using an AR PH3 SE ungraded by Great Northern with teflon caps. Hard to improve on at a reasonable cost.
MF "highly recommends the $2500 Channel D Lino C2.0 phono preamplifier", but only if, "your cartridge has a super-low internal impedance." I have a Lyra Kleos, which has an "internal Impedance: 5.4 ohms." Is that in the ballpark of, "super-low internal impedance?" What is?
I might be tempted to try one, given the glowing reviews, which you rarely see at this price point. On the other hand, I have not had good luck paying attention to MF's reviews, educational though they sometimes are. His taste and mine do not often seem to coincide, but then, I like tubes, and don't have $100K amps or turntables or $50K preamps. Never will!
Are there less expensive cartridges with low output impedance? The Kleos is terrific, and dealing with Lyra was a delight, but it isn't likely I'll ever be spending over $3.7K on a cartridge again. In a review of the Little Loco by Sutherland, also touted as a great bargain (although $4K is far from trivial, to me) I recall that one of those guys was surprised that it didn't work very well with a Lyra Delos, which has an input impedance of 8.2 ohms. Is that not considered, "low output impedance", or was something else going on?
What is the downside (unavoidable, given the art of trade-offs, a/k/a/ engineering) of current-mode preamps, compared to "normal" voltage amp phono preamps?
for reference, I'm currently (hah!) using an AR PH3 SE ungraded by Great Northern with teflon caps. Hard to improve on at a reasonable cost.