MC loading at 47K


Hi All,

Just after some expert advice from your good selves if I may. My current system is as follows:

Musical Fidelity KW550 intergrated amp which has a MM and MC section, both loaded at 47K. The only difference between them is the step up voltage.

My turntable is the Rega P9 with Ortofon Kontrapunkt A.

Looking at changing my cartridge but honestly cant decide between MM or MC.

My music taste are as follows:

Reggae
Soul
Female Vocal
RNB

No classical or jazz.

So what should I choose based I'm only limited to a 47K loading. I was thinking either of the below:

1. Ortofon Jubilee (MC)
2. Ortofon 2M black (MM)
3. Clear Audio Maestro (MM)

Is there a down side to loading up a MC so much?

Thoughts please...thanks
che13

Showing 12 responses by hifihvn

If you do add a lower value on, 47k is so high, you may not even need to pay any attention to it being there, especially adding something on like 1k(1000 ohms), or less. Be careful if you use the clip idea, make sure they're not touching anything else.
This calculator will give you an idea. Add 47000(47K) and 1000,will give you 979.17 ohms. Don't use comas with it. The things like this on the net sure makes it easier. Link[http://www.1728.com/resistrs.htm]
My 47k statement being high is for MC cartridges that use lower resistance loading only.
Musical Fidelity manual. Specs at end. link[http://www.musicalfidelity.com/downloads/archived-manuals/English/kw550_manual_eng.pdf]
I put the link there for Lindisfarne, and others to see what the OP has to work with.
I think the best thing is to see what others use for loading the cartridge you like, then get some cheap resistors from RS, or whatever place you could, and experiment with different values. The alligator clip idea should be OK. Just make sure your amp is *off* when adding the others on. What others use may save some time, to start with, but still try a large swing in values just in case you like something different. When you find the best sounding value,get a couple of that value in a high quality low noise resistor and solder them in if possible. Some companies do say you could use 47k, but I never found a value that high to work for me either,that I can remember.
That's the idea. I looked around for pics, and couldn't find any that were good enough to make your own from. Same link.[http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=355531&highlight=parallel+loading]
The option leaves the OP of this thread to choose any cartridge he would like. We're not saying he needs to do this. He is not stuck with 47k only, in other words.
Here is the Manley Steelhead manual. You could check out their options.[http://www.manleylabs.com/PDF/HIFI_Manuals/Hi-Fi/STEELHEAD.pdf]
Audiofeil, one ohm is a real heavy load, to heavy for any cartridge. 47,000 ohms is a light load. To light for a lot of people. Zero ohms is a direct short.