I have joined in the ZYX Family


Funny how change comes about. I’ve been intending to get a tube preamp for years 10-12 years. Instead, I got a tube amp which sounds great. . Tube amp with SS preamp sounds GREAT. FWIW, the SS Preamp was a Stereophile Class A Conrad Johnson PFR. So, its not like I was shooting in the dark. The PFR is a really good preamp. And the Bob Latino ST-70 seems to be a great fit along with the Silverline Sonatas. So I set out to get my turntable up to its optimum. I have a Teres 340 which has an Origin Live Illustrious 3 with Benz Ebony L cartridge. I put the OL Illustrious on it as a temporary arm. I figured the Teres deserved much better. But Maybe I am wrong. It sounds great. However, being an audiophile, I can’t leave it alone. So I set out to get a new tonearm worthy of the Teres 340. But then someone reminds me that a cartridge will make more difference than a tonearm upgrade, especially since the tonearm is a pretty good one. . So I consider the idea and come across a ZYX 4D for a good price. Thank you Raulirigueus(sp) for the idea. In the process, I saved some $$$ too. I’ve wanted a ZYX for quite some time. NOW, I see what all the fuss is about. This cartridge is fabulous. Next up is to clean the electric. Oneac seems to be a good way to go. But, who knows. My plans often go sideways. But I’ve really made some big steps forward thanks to some good advice and the good Lord above who over rules my ignorance. FWIW I often pity those who miss the beauty of good music. I love it. Thanks for your help along the way.
128x128artemus_5
One month later & I'm still enjoying the 4D. Playing with the loading now. 100 was good. 470 opens it up with more air. But its too disperse. IOW, sound stage is without good focus on some albums. Guess I need some resisters to make some loading plugs. 300 will split the difference. 100 & 470 are both good....but not optimum IMO

FWIW, I haven't tried 47k which I ran my LOMC Benz  Ebony L at with great success. However Benz is setup to do 47k. From what I have read, Mr Luschadek recommended trying 47K.
Glad you are still enjoying it! My experience with loading my 4D is similar to yours. I set my Allnic H-3000 at 117 ohms, with 66db of gain, which sounded best to my ears on that particular phono stage. I tried the H-3000 at 278 ohms, but one can only use that setting with 62db of gain. I preferred the 117 ohm, 66db loading option. I am now using the 101-300 ohm setting on my Coincident Statement Phono Stage, which is a fixed 66db gain phono stage.
Hi artemus,

you should definitively try the 47k as well. That rocks!

But to be honest my 4D was playing most of the time with 320 Ohm.
Thaluza & racedoc. Thanks for verifying my observations. I haven't played around extensively with the loading. And I only have 100 & 470 ohm plugs at the time. I had more but apparently I sold them with the SUT which I sold several years ago. My Benz loved the 47K loading. So I will try it.  Some albums are well suited for the 470 ohm. They hold the sound stage well and have a better air and larger sound stage. However, the 1st album I tried (Boston, "Don't Look Back" 1st pressing) sounded like the music was coming from everywhere on the front wall. The sound stage was huge. But there was no focus. FWIW, that album is recorded well.

I have some RCA plugs. I just need to find the resistors now. Got some of them somewhere too. The problem with being retired is that I have some of most everything yet I have a hard time tracking it down.
The ZYX 4D internal impedance is 4 ohm and MC cartridges with such a low (or even lower) impedance is not sensitive to loading. How would you all comment this statement?

ZYX own top of the line headamp designed by Nakatsuka-San for his cartridges is 125 ohm (fixed).

Recommendation for loading is just "higher than 100ohms".