How important is ext. adj. for cartridge loading

If you have a mono cart with a single RCA output on the leads and you run this into one channel of the input then select the 'Mono' switch that sums the signal and sends it to both channels gain stages...isn't that 'real mono'?

I guess I want fake mono for my stereo cart, but seems like that is compatible with a true mono cart.

At the $2500 level for a phono stage I want something that will grow with me through different, having all the flexibility to make it work in different systems would help justify the cost.

Nikturner,
Good question. Will the circuit which expects a stereo signal be OK with one RCA? Maybe I am overlooking something simple...

Hello Folks

A MONO selector would be implemented as a 4 position switch as follows 1, 1MONO, 2, and 2MONO, all it would do is feeding the input to both channels of the amplifier.

I have taken all the great suggestions into consideration an am working on the additional switching arrangements, it will be made as an additional circuit card mounted on the inside front of the amplifier to reduce internal wiring.

As it stands currently the selector choices will be as in prior posting, I have chosen the very high quality US made Grayhill Series 71 for switching. Im awaiting samples from Grayhill of these custom made switches, of which there will be 3 different configurations needed to implement the requested features.

One last question - any one interested in BETA testing of the amplifier once we have a ready to ship unit, you will of course be required to return the unit along with a detailed report of you impressions :-)

Let me know

Peter

Peter,
I am a willing guinea pig :^)

Some form of loading options, whether front panel or not, is helpful. As far as convenience is concerned, switching by remote control is the best because you can make an instantaneous comparison (my Levinson No. 32 preamp allowed such change, the unit I currently use does not).

However, a switch of any kind is always less than ideal, even when it comes to loading. Companies, like Artemis, offer an internal spot to insert the chosen resistor which is then securely clamped. This is really NOT cheaper than a selector switch, but, it is better for the sound.

My current phonostage (Viva Fono) has no provision for loading change. What I have to do is open the chassis and very carefully solder in a resistor between the hot and ground at the back of the RCA jack (an area full of hair thin wires). This approach means I am loading on the primary side of the step up transformer. I suppose this is done for sound quality reasons; at this price level, I doubt that the lack of convenient switching is a cost saving measure. I have made my own external load resistors using radio shack resistors and RCA jacks to test different loading. When I find what works, I can then hardwire in better quality resistors and remove the extra jack.

I like the loading options offered in the new model described by the original poster-- 100, 220, 330, 500 and 47,000. It is more important to have smaller incremental steps near the most useful part of the range wich is around 100 ohms. Ideally there would be more choices in that range, such as 125 or 150, and maybe something near 1,000.