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Benz Ruby 3 cartridge loading

Hello, I am currently using this cartridge loaded at 47k ohms in my Audio Research SP-14 pre amp phono section. It sounds wonderful to me and I have no complaints. My question is, am I missing something by not loading it much lower, say around 1k ohms where I think I read it should be? I believe the specs for this cartridge say greater than 400 ohms. Some of my other components are; VPI Aries I TT with VPI JMW 9 sig arm, Cary Rocket 88 amp (in rotation with a custom built OTL 6 wpc amp) and Klipschorn speakers. Most of my listening is classic rock and some jazz.
markpao
guinness
48 posts
 
Plato is right on. Lower resistance can take the edge off excessive highs and fill out the lows. Too low a setting results in fat, flabby bass.

My table has a Graham 2.2 arm with his IC-30 cable. I ran it at the 475 and 825 ohm settings with a Pass Labs Xono.

I've tried the 500 ohm and 1.0K ohm settings on my Mac C500T. I use the 1.0K ohm setting.

In my system, ideally, it would be best somewhere in between 500 and 825 with my arm and IC, but don't sweat it. Just enjoy the music.

Relax, have a Goose Island Bourbon County and listen to some Neil Young...
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Hi Markpao, I assume that you are refering to Ruby 3 S?
BTW the 'S' should be FG-S. Ie Fritz Geiger stylus;also used by Jan Allaerts. My first attempt was 1000 Ohm but I
prefer 400 Ohm (10 x 38 Ohm ). 'It all depends' as one says. My phono-pre is Basis Exclusive 'gold' (2009).
Regards,
samhar
1,048 posts
 
You would benefit if you took the steps down in loading to 200ohms that way you would be sure of what you liked best and won't be wondering all the time. As a bonus you'd get the knowledge of what changing cart loading does to the sound in your system and one more tuning tool in the experience box.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Samhar, 'steps down in loading'. Nobody mentioned HF units in his speakers while the most MC carts have pronounced high frequency. My are beryllium-kind (Usher BE-20) and I had the impression to tame them by 'step down' to 400 ohm.
However in the German magzine LP they measured the influence of loading but on the 'frequency line' there was
hardly any evidence for (my) assumtion. My (other )assumtion: if you want to be sure you should choose other
hobby.
Regards,
samhar
1,048 posts
 
Nandric
Isn't it a balance between loading, VTA and VTF? Who said anything about rolling off the HF? Why shouldn't he try different combinations so he understands what the settings do and how to balance the three for the sound he prefers in his system. He might find he likes something other than his current settings and why!!! That was the point of my original post.
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