How is my loading affecting my sound?

The Bent Audio site provides such a clear explanation, it's a pity it applies only to systems which employ a step up transformer in the path between cartridge and phono preamp (or "phonostage" if it's built into your main preamp.)

There are a number of threads (about 50) here on Agon that go into great detail on (moving coil) cartridge loading. You can access them easily by selecting 'analog' for the category field, and 'loading' for the keyword.

Dear Lakefrontroad: The Groove comes regulary with an impedance of 100 Ohms. In order to change that impedance you have to ask where in the circuit board and which resistor you have to change for a different impedance. Likely your unit has that 100 Ohms impedance that is a point to start.

I loaded my XV-1 at around 700 Ohms and with a VTF 0f 2.4 grs. and sounds great.

+++++ " What difference should the loading make? " +++++

If you open to much that impedance: 47K, you will have a bright sound and if you close it you can have a dull sound. The load impedance affect firstly to the high frequencies quality reproduction.

This cartridge has a flat frequency between 500 and 800 Ohms: you have to try in that impedance range.

The Xv-1 is trully a natural/transparent cartridge with a near perfect tonal balance top to bottom. There are other characteristics but when you achive these ones you will be on target.

Btw, impressive audio system you have!!!!!! Congratulations """""

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Loading is another word for resistance/capacitance or total impedance. It will still play but when impedances' match it is like putting two of the same size pipes together, verses having a 4 inch feeder pipe and connecting it to a one inch pipe. The flow will not be as good being too compressed and just the opposite is to have a one inch pipe feeder going into 4 inch pipe, too uncontrolled. I hope this helps.

Dear lakefrontroad: Normally your Groove comes with an impedance of 100 Ohms and if you want to change it you have to change inside the impedance resistor: Tom Evans people has to support about.

I use my XV-1 with around 700 Ohms and a VTF of 2.4 grs: great performance. This cartridge has flat frequency between 500 and 800 Ohms.

If you open the load impedance: 47K you could have a bright sound and if the impedance is to low you could have a dull sound. The load impedance affect likely to the high frequency range. You have to be carefully on this subject for not equalized your cartridge signal.

The XV-1 has a very neutral/transparent resolution and almost perfect tonal balance top to bottom, of course there are other characteristics about but when you achieve those ones you are really near the cartridge target.

Btw, impressive audio system you have, those great speakers!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

The last few paragraphs on the Bent page regarding the effects are generic and apply to both active and transformer stages.