Low output MC to match my phono stage

Shouldn't this read:

The low gain setting is (FOR) 1.5 mV RMS (OUTPUT CARTRIDGES). The high gain setting is (FOR) 0.75 mV RMS (OUTPUT CARTRIDGES)?

I ask because "gain" is usually expressed in dB (decibels).

Anyway, .75mV output would be considered a medium output moving coil cartridge (low output would be .2mV - .4mV) Set to hi gain, your phono preamp section would probably handle a van den Hul Frog (.6mV) or Frog Gold (.85mV) and probably many other brands in that output range. You can look up specs at: www.cartridgedb.com

You will also have to add additional load resistors in parallel to the 47K ohm default impedance of your preamp's phono stage, in order to reduce it to the proper load for a moving coil cartridge (usually somewhere between 100 ohms and 2000 ohms) Your Plinius probably has a place inside the chassis where you can add these resistors. Check with the manufacturer.

Episteme -- for the LO gain (MM) setting, the built-in load is most likely 47K. What you really want to know is what the default load is for the HI gain setting (it might also be 47K) and you want to know how to modify it.

Well, I have to inform you that cartridge loading is not a matter of taste. Nor is it "controversial" or arbitrary. And the person who replied to your inquiry is rather less than knowledgable (to say the least!) There are many threads on Agon that go into this subject in detail. After you decide on a new cartridge, you'll want a more extensive explanation I'm sure.

Suffice to say that I've never heard or heard of, a normal (meaning not a "high output") moving coil cartridge that performed optimally at 47K ohms.

Many of the high output moving coil cartridges do work with 47K ohms, because they were specifically designed to do so. This is partly for convenience, since most people buy them to use with dedicated MM phonostages, and generally, they do not come with loading options because MM cartridges don't require them.

Doug (now that I've stopped laughing!) would you be kind enough to post a link to that (John Elison) article. I'd like to try it. Thanx.

Doug, well that's pretty straightforward isn't it! And I just happen to have a few of those Monster Y-connectors laying around somewhere . . . . .

Thanx.

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