Cartridge incompatibility, Soundsmith and Luxman

Larry, The low output Zephyr already has a low internal DCR of 10 ohms.  That's not the problem.  The problem is its inductance, which, at 2.5mH, is about mid way between a typical LOMC (about 50 microhenries) and a typical MM (500 millihenries, or about 10,000X more than the LOMC).  If the Luxman was mine, it would have been "modified" last week. I don't really view this as a modification in the usual sense that we use it, because the change does not alter the circuit or alter ("upgrade") the parts content.  I'm envious of your Orpheus, BTW.

audiojan, I realize the die is cast, but to say you "might as well spend the money to get a different cartridge" indicates money is not an object. Because changing the resistor, even if you must hire someone else with the expertise to do it, is bound to be the less expensive alternative.  Anyway, your problem is solved one way or the other. 

Yes, I agree completely.  I made the recommendation for low impedance cartridge because I thought the OP is set on finding a MC replacement for the Zephyr and I was trying to suggest staying with low impedance cartridges to avoid the same sort of loading issues.  
 

That's for sure. If he wants to let the tail (the 100 ohm resistors) wag the dog, then he must acquire a LOMC with typical LOMC inductance.  But also gain must be high enough to work well with the inherent gain of the MC section (plus the linestage gain) of that Luxman. (I don't know what that is in db but evidently it was not a problem with the 0.3mV output of the Zephyr.)

Any good technician should be able to unsolder the old resistor and install the new resistor for under 100 bucks easily. I don't get where the OP thinks it's a 1000 dollar mod, sounds like someone was blowing smoke up his arse.

BillWojo

@billwojo where do you get $1000 from?! By the time I sell the cartridge I have and get a different one, it’s pretty much a wash.