2. analog
  3. 136104-6478

Cartridge Loading- Low output M/C

I have a Plinius Koru- Here are ADJUSTABLE LOADS-
47k ohms, 22k ohms, 1k ohms, 470 ohms, 220 ohms, 100 ohms, 47 ohms, 22 ohms

I'm about to buy an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze that recommends loading at 50-200 ohms

Will 47 ohms work? Or should I start out at 100 ohms?

I'm obviously not well versed in this...and would love all the help I can get.

Also is there any advantage to buying a phono cartridge that loads exactly where the manufacturer recommends?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
krelldog
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
No harm for your cartridge at whatever loading, you can ignore manufacturer recommendations if you like the sound using different loading. You can start from 47k Ohm to completely unload your cartridge, then you can try 1k and then 100 Ohm or vise-versa.  
amg56's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
amg56
887 posts
 
@chakster Thanks for that. I too an considering an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze but with a different pre-amp. These settings had me a little concerned but is seems we can change the loading to suit what we hear?
hdm
1,061 posts
 
To a great extent the loading you select will be user and system dependent and based on your subjective preferences.

That being said, internal impedance on the Bronze is (like many Ortofons) quite low at 5 ohms. In theory the 47ohm setting should be ideal but you could experiment all the way from 22 ohms up to 200. I'd be inclined to set the gain at 60 dB on the Koru. 

I'd probably start with 47 ohms and stay there for an extended period of time, especially while the cartridge breaks as it will probably be a bit steely and aggressive for the first 20-30 hours, maybe more. And then experiment from there. 

Bear in mind that the most "impressive" setting may not be the most natural or "best" setting. What grabs one initially can be irritating or fatiguing over longer periods of time. 
More to discover