Cartridge loading


Presently I am using a ZU/Denon DL103 mc cartridge with ZU Audio's highest tolerances.  I had this cartridge mounted on my VPI Prime and after going through all the various loading combinations, I settled on 200 ohms.  I was always satisfied with my choice of setting.  I no longer have the Prime and now use the Technics SL1200G turntable.  After having the same cartridge mounted and aligned by the dealer, I inserted it into my system and enjoyed the sound immensely, never touching the 200 ohm setting.

Yesterday I was listening to vinyl most of the day and for some reason I found the sound to be better than ever, mostly in the treble area.  The highs had shimmer when needed and I had played the same records many times before on the Prime and they never sounded as good as they did yesterday.  Just for the heck of it, I checked the cartridge loading and found it was now set at 1000 ohms.  As I said, when I put the Technics into the system, I never bothered changing the loading which was at 200 ohms as it was the same cartridge, just a different turntable.

I believe I know what happened, when I last used the tone controls on my McIntosh preamp, (you have to shuffle through a menu) I must have inadvertently put the cartridge loading at 1000 ohms.  It truly sounds fantastic, better than I ever thought possible.  The Bass is still very deep and taut, midrange is the same but the treble, oh my, so much better.  Now the million dollar question is why should it now sound better at 1000 ohms, when it sounded great before at 200 ohms?  Can the tonearm on the Technics have an effect on cartridge loading?  I always thought it was all dependent on the preamp, amp and speakers.  What am I missing here?  I am very curious to know.  The specs for my cartridge say greater than 50 ohms for loading.

Thanks
128x128stereo5
Dear @atmasphere : You followed posting your opinion and some " answers " but as in the fast you just followed failen to prove the MAIN SUBJECT under debate that you stated in this thread:

""" will limit the ability of the cartridge to trace higher frequencies .."""

You don’t have any teue facts/measurements that can prove your statement but Palmer in the other thread I mentioned and that you, Al and JC participated measured and told you that what you say is FALSE:

""" certainly not on tracking which is demonstrably false based on IM tests on tracking performance that I have incidentally performed as a function of load."""

Palmer proved with technical math simulations/studies that what you " touted " is not exactly true and in that thread you did not gave an answer to his post , I think because you have nothing on hand in that specific regards.


In the Hagermann link you posted you can read:

""" Most MC cartridges have less inductance than this example (chosen to highlight the issue), and so the typical loading value of 100 ohms is usually quite reasonable """"


@bydlo posted:

"[Lowering the R_load]... of course will limit the ability of the cartridge to trace higher frequencies. " ( this is what you posted. ) and his answer:

I fail to see it either,

@intactaudio

""" I do not see anyone debating that a loaded MC cartridge will stiffen its suspension, what I think is up for debate here is that this stiffening of the suspension will lower the cartridges ability to accurately trace high frequency info. """


Try to stop go " around and around " and go out of that circle where you are " trapped " by your self and give a direct measured answer to the main subject debate: limit cartridge trace high frequency.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.


PS: I'm not pushing you as you posted. Things are that I'm asking you this questions for a few years now with no answer at all, a precise answer with out " circles ".

You followed posting your opinion and some " answers " but as in the fast you just followed failen to prove the MAIN SUBJECT under debate that you stated in this thread:

""" will limit the ability of the cartridge to trace higher frequencies .."""
Actually I explained that in some depth. I recommend you go back and read my posts and those of intactaudio and bydlo again.
But the inductance of a low output moving coil is so low that resistive damping has little effect, as in a nutshell the inductor does not ring at audio frequencies or anywhere near them
But what I meant is the mechanical damping of the stylus, not electrical damping of the LC tank.
Dear @atmasphere  : Really? because I read all your posts and after several years you never posted true evidence/facts that can tell us that " cartridge limit trace of high frequency ".

You can do it very simple: take 2-3 LP tracks and give us as examples of your posts and in this case we can have first hand experiences about because till today in no single audio forum in the web no one and I repeat no never posted that kind of trouble.

With all respect: bla, bla, bla, etc is not enough with out true foundation in your statements.

Why don't give us those LP examples? easy to do it. Of course that we need to know the different loads you try it and with which of those loads " things happens ".

I think that many gentlemans as me already made it that kind of tests and that's why insist that you bring here those facts. Please no more bla, bla but facts that we can corroborate it.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
rauliruegas
I read all your posts and after several years you never posted true evidence/facts ... You can do it very simple: take 2-3 LP tracks and give us as examples of your posts ... bla, bla, bla, etc is not enough with out true foundation in your statements. Why don't give us those LP examples? easy to do it ... that's why insist that you bring here those facts. Please no more bla, bla but facts that we can corroborate it.
No one here is obligated to conduct any tests on your behalf. Please feel free to conduct your own tests, though, and share your results with the group.