Matching Pre-amp Settings for Cartridge

I owned this excellent cartridge in the past and even though it is a Moving Coil Cartridge with it’s 2.5mV output it performed best through my Moving Magnet input of 38db gain and 47k ohms loading.  You could overload the MC section of a preamp with the Blackbird. Many of the high output moving coils were designed to allow use of the Moving Magnet input.

Thanks for the reply. Well that's interesting. After getting this Blackbird probably 4 years or so ago I used it on the MC 1K Ohm. probably within playing a total of 4 albums My Preamp burned out and I sent it in to be rebuilt. When I checked it out it was definitely to due with these impedance switches.

Took a year to get back and only yesterday have the system up & running. I have the same MC 1K ohm selected & played 1 album so far, no more. Sounded good but still fine tuning adjustments. So glad I asked this question!!

So, my MM choices are as follows: 47 kOhm 330pF or 47 kOhm 220 pF or 100 Ohm ? I don't know what pF is, and no mention of it in the spec book that came with the cart.

Since you used it at a 38dB gain, I'll leave mine at Normal since the only choice is -10 dB-

Thanks so much, Robes

I would try it at 47k ohms (recommended in the carts specifications) and try either of the capacitance (pF) settings of 330 or 220.  Capacitance is much more critical for MM cartridges as a high capacitance can cause a rise in the treble. Most MC cartridges are immune to this issue.  

Thank you once more for your expertise in this matter. You may very well have saved my preamp from overloading again. If I hear a difference between the two 47k selections I'll set to whichever sounds best.

Have a great day and take care! 

Robes