Low output MC to match my phono stage

Thanks for the quick responses, Nsgarch and Markd51. I suspected that what you say here is true, as I have been reading a bit of stuff over at Audio Asylum. I'll check out some threads here, too.

At the time being, I am thinking of just trying out a Denon DL103 (not the 'R' version) with the $100 Denon step-up transfomer (1:10). If I am understanding things, this should lower the impedance appropriately and also boost the signal enough to work with the regular MM setting on my amp.

I can get this at the same price as another Dynavector 10x5 (which I liked), and I am curious to get some more experience with different kinds of cartridges.

Anyhow, I appreciate all of your help. It has been A LOT of help.

I had a conversation with Keith Herron at RMAF and he was also against cartridge loading feeling 47k ohm was fine for MC. I myself do not agree and while I respect his opinion I decided to buy another phonostage.

That being said, if you don't want to mess with swapping the resistor internally (although in my opinion this is what I would do as it should be very simple to accomplish), then another option is to run the phonostage in MM mode and use a step-up transformer such as the K&K Audio which allows you to easily plug in different resistor values to alter the load. For example, if you use 47k ohm in the step-up, combined with the 47k ohm in the phonostage you will net a 940 ohm load (don't worry, there is a spreadsheet on the Galibier Design website that has these calculations all figured out for you, its what I use). Again, I'd do this directly in the unit, but options are always nice to have.

The Plinius agent gave you misleading information, which is contrary to what the factory told me. The gain is indeed too low for low-output mc cartridges. I ended up buying a Plinius Jarrah phonostage which has (i) higher gain (ii) user-adjustable loading (important with my AT OC9 II ML) and (iii) a sweeter sound. The problem is that the Jarrah has recently vanished from the Plinius website and I wonder if production has ceased. Pity if it has.

[rant]
Well, that's interesting. Plinius tells the owner of an integrated that impedance doesn't matter, yet includes it on their more expensive models. (I also know for certain that some Plinius phono sections have dip switches.) You have to admire such blatant condescension.

I am continually amazed by the ignorance or arrogance of so many manufacturers of high-priced (not necessarily high-performance) phono stages. Plinius isn't alone. The Audion Quattro is just as bad, the Lamm is worse and the support they offer their owners is just as useless.

To state that impedance loading doesn't matter for LO vs. HO MC's betrays a profound ignorance of how MC's work. The only philosophy involved is the philosophy of being too lazy to care.
[/rant]

Look for posts by John Elison on VA for a cheap/easy way to use Y-connectors to experiment with loading resistors, without ripping open your preamp. Once you settle on a good value you can decide whether or not to solder.

Doug (now that I've stopped laughing!) would you be kind enough to post a link to that (John Elison) article. I'd like to try it. Thanx.