Rega P10/Apheta 3 connected to Luxman EQ-500.

I have the exact same set up except with P8.

The alpheta 3 has a recommended input load impedance of 100 ohms. According to the EQ-500 manual the input impedance on the MC low setting is 2.5 ohms. Is this a mismatch to be concerned about?

the maximum capacitance setting on the EQ-500 is also 300 pF but the recommended setting per Rega for the Alphets 3 is 1000 pF. Is this a potential issue with sound quality? I have mine set to the 300 pF max.

I am using the balanced out on the EQ-500 and have plenty of gain on either MC low or high. It seems like the 40 ohm indicated for the high setting would be a closer match to Rega Alpheta 3 recommended settings?

the input impedance on the MC low setting is 2.5 ohms. 

No it is not.

When Luxman says the MC Low is 2.5 ohms they are referring to the cartridge's internal impedance, not the load the cartridge sees. The internal impedance of the Apheta is 10 ohms.

It seems like the 40 ohm indicated for the high setting would be a closer match to Rega Alpheta 3 recommended settings?

Not necessarily.

The Luxman MC inputs are designed for low impedance ( 2.5 ohms ) and high impedance ( 40 ohms ) cartridges.

Examples of low impedance cartridges are Koetsu's 3-5 ohms, Mysonic Lab 2-3 ohms.

Examples of high impedance cartridges are Denon 103 ( 40 ohms ).

Since the Rega APHETA 3 is 10 ohms, the low MC setting is probably closer to ideal. The Rega needs to see 100 ohms - try measuring the input impedance on the phono to see what the load really is on the "2.5 ohm" setting.

In reality as mentioned above, getting the gain right is as important as load, so nothing wring with trying the different settings and using your ears to decide the optimum settings.

Thanks clarifying Dover. I will measure to get actual on the 2.5 setting.
 

I can’t hear much difference in sound quality between the Low and high MC settings just a bit of gain difference so I will likely run at low as recommended. I have to be cognizant of too much gain in my system as the Cary SLP-05/pass X250 combo has alot of gain even for my relatively inefficient speakers. I am still running through threads trying to wrap my head around cartridge loading and impedance settings and how they are reported by the manufacturers. 

This is slightly off topic, but since there are two or three of you with this set-up, and I’m considering it, can you speak to your satisfaction with, and the qualities of the sound, with the P10 into the EQ-500?