MC Load Resistance


I am using a Denon DL-S1 Moving Coil cartridge with a VPI Scout turntable. The spec for the cartridge recommends a Load Resistance of 100 ohms, but the test data sheet included with the cartridge showed that they tested it with Load Resistance of 47K ohms. Question is, do you think it is ok to set the phono amp at 47K ohms for this cartridge?
almandog
It won't hurt to try it, this is a highly debated topic. Could they have tested it using one of Denon's step up transformers? These would work into 47K without question. I have three different Denon MCs and use them this way. They make a series of transformers designed for their moving coils , without them I always thought the loading would be in the 100 ohm range.
Dear Almandog: I own that cartridge an works beautiful at 100 ohms. Btw,, according with the phono stage ( you own ) manufacturer specs that phono stage works well with LOMC cartridges with an output level as low 0.2mv, the DL-S1 has a lower output than that figure so chances are that you can't achieve the best performance for that cartridge.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
I'll add my 2 draxmas into this discussion. Its mostly personal taste. I experimented with the settings in my ASR basis exclusive and found that with each change there was a very subtle but obvious difference. In this case, there are dip switches that allow for immediate change while listening to the music. BTW, I use a ZYX airy 3 with .24mv output. I dont remember what setting I left the dip switch on, but it was mainly based on sound rather than any technical info. Cheers
You have to try it. There is no Standard (unfortunately). The result will be different from Manufacturer to Manufacturer. Phonstage A with 100ohm will not sound identical to Phonostage B with 100ohm...There are a few MC Phonostages out there which have excellent results- Speed, airy high frequency Aera, headroom, deep soundstage, holographic Body - with 47kΩ (Stan Klyne, CTC, Vendetta...) but most will sound thin and lifeless at that Setting. Depends on Design.
Thanks for your reply.
I am using a Modwright phono stage, I set the switches on it to 100 ohms first with the Denon S1, and it sounds good but a bit on the thin side with much less bass than when I set the switches to 47K ohms. At that setting the system sounds louder and the bass is deep, and the highs sounds good also. I did this test with the volume at the same setting. I will do some more experiment with the phono stage set to different load setting to hear the result.