There is a quality of sound that I look for when determining what the ideal output of a phono cartridge is that is a little more ephemeral. This observation is based only on my experience with my chosen components over the years and may not apply to anyone else, but I have churned enough cartridges and phono stages over the years to believe there is something to this.
We all know that most preamps sound best with the volume control fairly wide open; iow, as little attenuation of the phono stage’s signal as possible. Obviously, the overall gain structure of a given system dictates what range on the volume “knob” will be of practical use. At the same time, and this has been the key point for me, the cartridge needs to have enough output to properly “energize” the phono stage. To energize is the only way I can describe this and it is not simply a question of resulting total available listening volume. If the phono cartridge does not have enough output for a given phono stage the music will sound lifeless. The music won’t have enough forward motion, PRAT, groove...whatever one wants to call it; even if there is enough total available listening volume and acceptable noise levels.
So, I always look for a cartridge with output that for my typical system listening volume will keep the volume control on my preamp in a generously open (highish) range. Too low usually means that the cartridge output is too high for the overall gain structure of the system. Too high and it usually means that the cartridge output is too low and it is not energizing the phono stage properly even if there is enough listening volume; and the music suffers.
We all know that most preamps sound best with the volume control fairly wide open; iow, as little attenuation of the phono stage’s signal as possible. Obviously, the overall gain structure of a given system dictates what range on the volume “knob” will be of practical use. At the same time, and this has been the key point for me, the cartridge needs to have enough output to properly “energize” the phono stage. To energize is the only way I can describe this and it is not simply a question of resulting total available listening volume. If the phono cartridge does not have enough output for a given phono stage the music will sound lifeless. The music won’t have enough forward motion, PRAT, groove...whatever one wants to call it; even if there is enough total available listening volume and acceptable noise levels.
So, I always look for a cartridge with output that for my typical system listening volume will keep the volume control on my preamp in a generously open (highish) range. Too low usually means that the cartridge output is too high for the overall gain structure of the system. Too high and it usually means that the cartridge output is too low and it is not energizing the phono stage properly even if there is enough listening volume; and the music suffers.