MC Load Resistance

You guys are getting interesting and funny too. Well, thank you for sharing some of this empowerment.

Messing with MCs problems, as messing with any on-going problem has a 'pay-off', otherwise no-one would bother. As long as it is fun and entertaining and not frustrating, it's jolly good entertainment.

As to the MM side of things, it also should better be fun and not any of this competitive BS like: like my 'spanner' is longer than yours...' etc.

I think a lot of phono-pres are ultimately not up to the task of really GOOD! and COMPLETE! low-signal amplification.
Just pumping up the gain without loosing some of the incredibly delicate detailed LOMC signal output is a VERY demanding task.
In this case an SUT will make a difference, or an MM in its own unique way also.

I find in my (all) SS system, MM carts generally have more 'information density' in the mid-range, than MCs provide through my phono-modules. There is something very natural and touching in how MMs handle that area. The interesting thing for me is, that *ANY* resistive MC loading makes for some of this 'coldness', experienced with CD reproduction -- and it maybe simply a more 'favourable' impedance match when using a step-up that improves on this.

With MMs the trade-of mostly (or always?) is some degree of lower-treble to upper-treble lack of definition. The sort of thing that slightly lesser recordings often might show.

With excellent recordings this 'lack' is hardly noticeable, unless in an A/B shoot-out, which comes with its own set of problems.

So I say, enjoy both! as both have there characteristic strength and weaknesses (a bit like blonds and brunettes :-)

Cheers,
Axel

Axel, MMs do ease things and they smooth them too - thats why many SS gear do sound "better" when feed by a top class MM.
And sorry, - its not blonde versus brunette (I had many experiences with both....) - its a smart, sophisticated, highly educated and complex girl (some may name it neurotic....) on one hand and a simple minded, good sports country maid (easy to handle..... less demanding) on the other.
Many of my friend say about my wife: "great girl ! But she is very complicated isn't she ?"
I reply: "not at all for me....".

I for one will always go for the more demanding - its the more rewarding too.....
But it needs skill, knowledge and experience to handle..........
The girl and the LOMC.
Message transmitted and received ?
Cheers,
D.

Dertonearm, There may actually be women who read this thread, so I would be careful. For example, your wife may have access to the internet. Nevertheless, this reminds me of the belt-drive/direct- or idler-drive controversy as well. But seriously, I found and am finding with the hybrid cascode that the sound was very affected by the choice of the tube in the top part of the cascode. Once I made that choice, the sound is further greatly affected by the value of the plate resistor (which of course has a critical effect on gain) and the amount of current through the circuit. (Primarily, I found that lower value plate Rs sounded better, less sterile, up to a point where the plate R = about 10X the Rp of the tube itself.) Also, how one sets the voltage at the grid of the top tube makes a noticeable difference. All of these elements greatly alter the presentation of the qualities you discuss, not to mention the similar choices that needed to be made with respect to the phono output stage. That's what makes this an endlessly interesting and sometimes frustrating hobby. (PS, I would never recommend doing what I have done to a brand new Atma MP1, which is a great unit bone stock. My own unit was VERY used when I bought it and needed a lot of refurbishing to begin with, so I let my imagination run a bit.)

Dear Dertonarm. I dont belive that Kantians are suitable for 'corps diplomatique' but you should use some other expression,say,'MM lovers' to 'baypass' the problems that you already anticipated.

Regards,

Lewm, Nandric, my wife saw the thread and my last post and........... smiled.
See - that's why I love LOMCs and a very special blonde I am married to ...... demanding, but rewarding.