Low output MC to match my phono stage

Episteme -- for the LO gain (MM) setting, the built-in load is most likely 47K. What you really want to know is what the default load is for the HI gain setting (it might also be 47K) and you want to know how to modify it.

Nsgarch -- Right, thanks. Got that mixed up. I actually posed the question correctly (!) to Plinius. We'll see what they say...

Below is the response I got from the US Plinius distributor. In short, the impedance is set for 47kOhms on both the "high" and "low" setting.

"If you change the phono gain of the 8200 MK II, it will not affect the cartridge loading of the phono section. This is possible to change by changing the hard-wired loading resistor on the phono board, but as you have been using a Hi-output MC cart and all you are doing is switching for a Low-Output MC cart, you should not have to worry over the loading, as it will sound just fine. It is not a gain issue with loading, but one of philosophy when using MC carts. Some feel that they should have a lower input loading, while others, such as myself, feel that 47 Kohm is the right choice in the majority of cases. I think you will find that you are fine."

I am clearly just learning here, but this has to be, at the least, controversial. I won't be doing any modifications to the amp, as I just am not going to get into it. Not sure where all of this leaves me, but at least I have learned a bunch....

Well, I have to inform you that cartridge loading is not a matter of taste. Nor is it "controversial" or arbitrary. And the person who replied to your inquiry is rather less than knowledgable (to say the least!) There are many threads on Agon that go into this subject in detail. After you decide on a new cartridge, you'll want a more extensive explanation I'm sure.

Suffice to say that I've never heard or heard of, a normal (meaning not a "high output") moving coil cartridge that performed optimally at 47K ohms.

Many of the high output moving coil cartridges do work with 47K ohms, because they were specifically designed to do so. This is partly for convenience, since most people buy them to use with dedicated MM phonostages, and generally, they do not come with loading options because MM cartridges don't require them.

Hmm, I think Nsgarch (Neil) will agree that Plinius is sort of telling a mistruth here in that 47K will be suitable for all MC Cartridges, as it won't.

A shame that so many manufacturers seem to overlook a variety of both gain, and loading with their products, and have the "Ron Popeil" philosophy of "Set it, and forget it".

As Neil, and others in the know have advised me, MC Cartridges that have an output over 1Mv might be quite happy at 47K (Like my hi-output Glider), as they then sort of act like an MM, but those that have lower output might not favor 47k loading. Mark