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Helikon LOADING

Hi, I am really confused as to what is the right loading for this cartridge. The info that came with cartridge recommends 100 ohms to 47 K ohms. The inernal resistance is 5.5 ohms. This is quite a big range to decipher the 'correct' loading or 'equalization'(my analogy)and also tough to find the right phono that matches with unknown loading. I am auditioning few phonos at present and want to slect the right combination.

Also I want to have phono that is future proof, that is if I explore in multiple different cartridges, the phono amp is/will be compatible with these Carts. I read form past threads that general guideline is 25 times its internal impedance. How hard and fast this rule is?

So what is YOUR HELIKON LOADING? and how did you decide this value?

thx,

Nil
nilthepill
zenieth
381 posts
 
A good rule of thumb would be your output impedance (5.5) multiplied by 25 ( 137.5 ohms ).
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Nil, the 25X rule (that I have been endlessly promoting and which you'll find discussed in depth on other threads) is, I keep reminding people, a theoretical optimum, based on the more or less universal objective of good impedance matching.

However, based on the other elements of a given system, I always urge people to explore loading by ear using a range +/_ 50%. In your case this would be from roughly 70 - 200 ohms.

Everything else about your cartridge setup should be right beforehand (VTF, SRA, AS, overhang, azimuth, etc). Start at or near the optimum (125 -150) If you listen and it's bass-shy, reduce the load. If the bass is muddy or bloated, increase the load until the bass tightens up. If the load gets too high, you'll start to lose the bass, so back it off a little.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Now...all of this is dependent on everything else! Makes it easy huh? VTA, VTF, overhand etc can all effect the sound...rather dramatically at times. Sometimes, I'll make a change in one of these, and think I need to back out the loading.

Anyway, good luck, feel free to ask for more help.
perose
40 posts
 
47K was too bright and 470 ohms a little too flat. I settled on 5K just as an intermediate order of magnitude which seems to suite my taste. I suspect that 1K would have worked equally well. It will depend on your preferences.
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
Nsgarch - why do you care about impedance matching?
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