I've always found Benz cartridges are happiest with higher loading.
I would start with the 1k load and work down. Experimentation is needed though.
You won't hurt anything by trying different loads.
Cartridge Loading for a phono pre amp
Hello,
I have recently acquired a phono pre amp recommended by Michael Fremer. It is “THE VINYL”, from QHW audio, Spain. It got a great review. I have a Benz Micro Glider rated at 1.1MV. I have no idea how to set the dip switches for MC Load impedance for this cartridge. The options I have are as follows: 47K, 1K, 560R, 470R, 100R, and 47R. I have a solid state amp and pre-amp, and also have a sub that I use, rarely.
Any advice would be most appreciated!!
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- 137 posts total
Why not try 47K? I believe Mr Luschadek (founder of Benz) recommended that. I ran my Ebony L on 47K which sounded more open. I run my Zyx 4D that way also. From my understanding of Ralph’s (Atmasphere) explanation, the loading or not loading is dependent on the phono stage’s stability. Try it on 47K. Then try it on Benz’s recommended loading. See which one you like better |
+1 @artemus_5 I'm the guy decreasing the load at hi-fi shows and watching the reactions. More open, less constricted and damped. |
@judsauce The industry spec is 47K for all cartridges. When you load the cartridge at a lower resistance you are asking it to do more work (produce more power to drive that load). Even though its a tiny amount of power, it will make the cantilever stiffer and less able to trace high frequencies. It can and does affect the interaction between the arm and cartridge (effective mass and mechanical resonance). The loading is not for the benefit of the cartridge! The cartridge generates Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) because its inductance is in parallel with the capacitance of the tonearm interconnect cable. This forms a resonant peak which can be activated by the energy of the cartridge itself. That activation is called 'excitation' in radio parlance. That RFI can be 1 or 2MHz and is injected directly into the input of the preamp via the interconnect cable. If the preamp isn't OK with that, it won't sound right. If the designer was aware of this fact, 47K will sound fine because the preamp will be unperturbed. Otherwise you will have to use the loading and deal with all that comes with that. So start with 47K. If the designer knows what he's doing, that will be the position that sounds best. |
- 137 posts total