Cartridge Loading- Low output M/C

In my experience, a very low resistive load, which puts a correspondingly heavy load on the cartridge, acts like a tone control, which is to say that as you approach the internal resistance of the cartridge itself, the treble is rolled off progressively and eventually some gain is lost to ground.  In theory, if the internal R of the Cadenza is 5 ohms, the minimum load resistance would be around 47 ohms, or 10X that of the cartridge, as someone else already suggested above. But I have lately found that even LOMC cartridges sound their best when the cartridge is essentially un-loaded, at 47K ohms.  The treble is more "open" and airy.  Dynamics are also improved vs more traditional values of load resistance.  (LOMCs with low internal resistance, like the Cadenza, are traditionally loaded with 100 ohms, a set it and forget it value.)  Ralph Karsten (Atma-sphere) points out that not all phono stages behave properly when LOMCs are presented with a 47K load, so maybe I am just lucky.  I agree with the person who said that the "best" choice is phono stage AND cartridge dependent.

Just to clarify:

A LOMC set at 47K ohms is technically and electronically NOT "unloaded". Granted it might not do much with it, but it’s still loaded at 47,000 ohms.

Rule of thumb, (as stated above) 10X the internal R is the best place to start.

Proper (or improper) loading of a cartridge will not change the "intrinsic" sonic characteristic of said cartridge.

Also, gain and loading are independent of each other. Always try the lowest gain setting to avoid noise, but choose whatever sounds best at the volume you listen to.

Just to elaborate on what Lewm said, a small loading resistance corresponds to a big load. The reason is that the loading is a resistance across the outputs, and so the cartridge motor has to work hard to get anything past that small resistance.

Think about water flowing in a hose - if you have a tiny pinhole in the hose (a large resistance to water flow escaping), just about everything you put it at the faucet goes out the nozzle. But if you have a great big hole (low resistance to water flow escaping), not much comes out at the nozzle.

The analogy with electric signals is pretty good. Just remember: big loading resistance, small load on the cartridge. Small loading resistance, big load on the cartridge.

I built my phono/pre to allow loading from 5 ohms to 85K. It happens to sit within the manufacturer's suggested range most of the time - it depends on the record. Higher resistance 1K2 for piano, lower resistance 30R for records which were recorded too bright.

Dear @krelldog : I agree with the gentlemans behind 100 ohms very good point to start and I think you will never have to change it. Of course that it's your particular audio system items whom will have the " last word " through your listening experiences over the time.

Btw, very good system you own.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Thanks for all the great insight. I'll start at 100 ohms and set the gain at 60 db's. Hopefully that will sound amazing.

Raul- Thanks for your kind comments.