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Knowing Nothing About Capacitance...

OK, I've had a table for 5 years now, have tried numerous phono stages and numerous carts, and am enjoying the hell out of my low-fi vinyl system. But after all this time, I'm still clueless about the relationships between cartridge specs and preamp specs.

For example, I'm now using an AT-OC9ml mk ii MC cart -- on the spec sheet it says that this cart's load capacitance is 20ohms. I picked up a vintage Denon integrated amp that I want to try -- it's MC phono section says that it's set for 100ohms. What does this mean? I know I can use the AT with the Denon, but I'm assuming that there will be some compromise in the match. (Whether it's an audible compromise, I have no idea.)

How does all this cart-preamp load matching work? Please keep it simple. I have a PhD, but it' not in anything like this. My scientific understanding peaked in 7th grade (40 years ago) and has gone downhill ever since.

Thanks,
Rich
winegasman

Showing 2 responses by winegasman

winegasman OP
100 posts
 
Raul,

You're absolutely right -- I mistakenly said capacitance. The AT-OC9mlii says that the Recommended load impedance is 20 ohms. The Denon says that its MC phono stage is 100 ohms.

By the way, Tvad, the MM phono input for the Denon is 47k.

So, is the initial poster's statement accurate that at 100 ohms on the preamp side my cart is likely to sound brighter than it should?

Thanks to all of you for answering so quickly.
winegasman OP
100 posts
 
Great! Thanks.

So why does AT make the OC-9ml with only 20 ohm impedance? The other carts I've seen are all higher. Is it advantageous at all?
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