I will try and adding a resistor to the RCA input (I presume I just attach on end of the resistor to the positive and one to the negative). Is this correct?
To get 100 Ohm loading on the cartridge (starting point) what size resistor do I need to add at the RCA input? Is there a calculation table for this as this is starting to go above my head now.
Why dont you try putting a 1K or whatever resistor on a rca adapter and see if you like it. While everyone here speculates about what it may sound like you could actually find out and form your own opinion. just a thought
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]
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.
Goldring 1042 MM to begin with; $320 plus shipping from the UK. Those cheap MCs are unlikely to do it for you considering the kind of music you listen to whether they will sound bright or not. That's not the main point - they won't have enough weight, punch and substance. Ortofon Black is almost $700 and Clearaudio Maestro is around $1000; they might or might not be overall better for you. By the way, do you have a motor controller for your Rega? You may want to get it, either Rega or Heed.
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.
Some folks including Charles Hansen (Ayre) and the late Allen Wright recommended running all MCs at 47kOhms. I think Harry Pearson (HP) of The Absolute Sound recommended it too (don't know if he still does). I tried it and liked it with a Denon DL-103 although I'm currently running that one at 500 Ohms. I'm not sure but I believe the "thinness" will have to do more with the phonostage than anything else. If Musical Fidelity loads both MMs and MCs at 47K, they must think MCs sound okay that way.
Hifihvn, It has 47K for both MC and MM. Not too many low output MC carts will benefit from being loaded @47k. I would connect a resistor in-parallel when switching to MC. It could be done in any phono unit.
I use a Benz Glider SH (2.5mv output) into the mm input loaded at 47k. The phono pre is Vacuum State Jlti. The frequency balance is natural and not at all bright on top. I obtained the same results with the Musical Surroundings Phonomena. However, this cartridge sounds like crap fed into the tubed stage of my VAC preamp. I don't know why this combination doesn't cut it. The Benz sounds great on my classic rock albums, jazz albums, and vocalists such as Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
you might experience very thin sound and lack of holography. the realistic load impedance to try is sub- 100Ohms. You can solder 100Ohms resistor in-parallel with 47K resistor or try different resistors using aligator clips.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
