Cartridge loading

A secondary issue is whether or not the cartridge was built with some form of electrical damping in mind with the intent of thus creating mechanical damping. This seems problematic as the compliance of the cartridge is directly affected- that being the case a range of loading values would be specified for a given effective mass and we certainly are not seeing that in the spec sheets!

@atmasphere  I'd imagine the compliance change may not be big in the manufacturer specified load range so no one cares. Plus  load optimization is usually done by ear anyway.

Dear friends: Yesterday I took my time to make some tests on the controversial and now confirmed false issue:

I used the Carnegie 2 LOMC cartridge using same LP tracks in all tests some choosed for its high recorded velocities in HF and choosed tracks between the middle of the surface LP to the inner surface positions:

I runned first at 47K using additional 550pf along the cable capacitance. I runned to with out that added capacitance.
The performance was exactly the same with no additional any kind of noises/disturbances: not found out higher SPL in the clicks/pops.
The listened quality performanse is inferior that when loading is at 100 ohms.

Next I runned at my normal 100 ohms loading and no added capacitance and performed as I’m accustomed to listen it.

After that I lower the loading to 50 ohms and other that a lower lower SPL the HF response was not altered by .

I tested the 103D too with similar results. I had an accidente and I bended the cantilever and this gives me the oportunity to up grade this cartridge and test its improvements on quality performance level.

So both issues: higher click/pops and " limit trace...HF " does not exist. The theory is rigth there but tjhose issue just does not exist.

Almost any one of you can confirm by your self about making your own tests. Till today I know that intactaudio made it on the LOMC loading and now I.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I forgot to say that I made the same tests with two diferent phono stages.

About 3 days ago i hooked up my current-injection phonostage (47 Labs Phonocube) to my system and i was blown away! We were sitting here with a friend of mine who often comes to my apartment. Even him is quite familiar with the sound coming from my two Luxman PD-444 turntables with various tonearms and cartridges, using different phono stages. Prior to that we already selected our "cartridge of the month" just for fun, it was an MI cartridge (Grado Signature XTZ) connected to WLM Reference phono stage with upgraded load resistors (100k Ohm Vishay). The second best was LOMC Fidelity-Research FR-7fz connected via Luxman toroidal silver SUT to JLTi 47k Phono stage, probably it was too bright.

I want to tell you that same FR-7fz on FR-64fx with W-250 counterweight and N-60 stabilizer never ever sounded as good as with the 47 Labs Phonocube phonostage. The impedance of this cartridge is 5 Ohm, the output is 0.24mV. Prior to that i have tried this cartridge with Gold Note PH-10 phonostage direct, with WLM and JLTi direct, also with ZYXCPP-1 headamp and with two different SUTs too.

With 47 Labs Phonocube the cartridge became so alive and emotional contact with the music is so strong that i can clearly say this is the best phono stage i have ever heard. We did the same next night and again and again... My feeling is like i’m right there with musicians, the sound is so dynamic and open that it’s a kind of psychedelic experience. The rest of the chain is passive Pass Aleph L preamp and First Watt F2J current source power amp, upgraded Zu Audio Druid mk4 speakers with latest Zu Audio drivers (101db) and Radian super tweeters.

What i am gonna say here:
With current-injection phono stages you don’t have to think about loading at all, no optional loading! But it’s completely different experience with relatively low impedance LOMC cartridges. And i did not try my Phonocube with Miyabi cartridge yet, so i can only imagine the result, because it was designed for Miyabi. I decided to check FR-7fz with Phonocube because i am using this cartridge in my system often and i thought i knew its character.

I believe our @lewm experienced something similar with his new current injection device with his MC2000.

My advice to others:
FORGET ABOUT CARTRIDGE LOADING!
Look for current injection phono stages for your low impedance LOMC cartridge, there are quite a few on the market. None of the conventional phono stages with optional loading in my arsenal (like the Gold Note PH-10 with PS-10 or JLTi mk4 for exampe, or my WLM Phonata Reference) are even close to the sound coming from the current injection little phonocube (without optional loading).

I am using original Phonocube, but here is a DIY version with schematic (to read how it works). 

I bought a BMC MCCI current injection phono stage 2 months ago and agree with your assessment . I just had a Lyra Claves De Capo repaired By Steve @  VAS  . Best vinyl playback in my system to date . 2 ohm & 0.25 mv  stunning 

Raul, Intactaudio made measurements of frequency response and IM distortion, I think. You are here reporting your subjective impression, which is fine, but there’s a big difference.