A couple of comments:
First, Clakster's AT-20Sla if I recall was a Shibata diamond on an Aluminum cantilever; this was very similar to the AT15s Universal. I had one of those last summer which I tested against the AT15ss/20ss which is a super Shibata on a Beryllium cantilever and there is quite a difference in upper end performance. The aluminum item sounds much more mellow, almost muffled in comparison. Therefore I would understand why a 100K ohm input would be helpful as it opens up the high frequencies more. Since I am using the AT 20ss which has a huge frequency excursion of 5-50K hz, it's much more detailed on the upper frequencies and when I run it on 47K ohm input, it's superb. If I were to get any additional boost in upper range by going to 100K ohms, I think it would not be a good match at all. The Audio Technica factory suggested loading for the 20ss is 47k with 100-150 pf. They are probably assuming some average for capacitance in the audio leads from the cartridge to the amplifier at some average user length which may be 3 to 6 feet. I am using around 2.5 feet, so my capacitance is lower, hence the 220 pf I have works.
The other comment from Lew pertaining to grounding, I am not using generators. I have an Amateur Radio station with very extensive antennae and high power amplifiers. Since one HF antenna I have is a 7 element mono band LogYagi with very high gain and coupled to a 1.5kw amplifier, an excellent ground system is an absolute requirement to avoid RF feedback into the transmitted signal and also avoiding RF burns. I have a few hundred feet of 1/4 inch diameter solid copper running in damp soil about 8 to 10 feet under ground and this ties back into the 'radio shack'. I use this same ground to ground the cable TV line which is full of 60 hz. noise and my main audio system. This is what I connected to from the PH 10 which eliminated all noise from the audio circuit.
Also, I usually run 47K not 22K. Only on some recordings do I find the 22K to be preferable, but that is not too many of them.
First, Clakster's AT-20Sla if I recall was a Shibata diamond on an Aluminum cantilever; this was very similar to the AT15s Universal. I had one of those last summer which I tested against the AT15ss/20ss which is a super Shibata on a Beryllium cantilever and there is quite a difference in upper end performance. The aluminum item sounds much more mellow, almost muffled in comparison. Therefore I would understand why a 100K ohm input would be helpful as it opens up the high frequencies more. Since I am using the AT 20ss which has a huge frequency excursion of 5-50K hz, it's much more detailed on the upper frequencies and when I run it on 47K ohm input, it's superb. If I were to get any additional boost in upper range by going to 100K ohms, I think it would not be a good match at all. The Audio Technica factory suggested loading for the 20ss is 47k with 100-150 pf. They are probably assuming some average for capacitance in the audio leads from the cartridge to the amplifier at some average user length which may be 3 to 6 feet. I am using around 2.5 feet, so my capacitance is lower, hence the 220 pf I have works.
The other comment from Lew pertaining to grounding, I am not using generators. I have an Amateur Radio station with very extensive antennae and high power amplifiers. Since one HF antenna I have is a 7 element mono band LogYagi with very high gain and coupled to a 1.5kw amplifier, an excellent ground system is an absolute requirement to avoid RF feedback into the transmitted signal and also avoiding RF burns. I have a few hundred feet of 1/4 inch diameter solid copper running in damp soil about 8 to 10 feet under ground and this ties back into the 'radio shack'. I use this same ground to ground the cable TV line which is full of 60 hz. noise and my main audio system. This is what I connected to from the PH 10 which eliminated all noise from the audio circuit.
Also, I usually run 47K not 22K. Only on some recordings do I find the 22K to be preferable, but that is not too many of them.