Calculating total capacitance

With higher output moving magnets it is possible to use a capacitor to load them, but IME you get a more open sound if you use a resistance instead, since the cap will have the effect of rolling off the highs.

The issue here is that the cartridge rings, which is a form of harmonic distortion. The cap rolls off the highs, and so absorbs a lot of the ringing distortion. But if you load with a resistance of the right value, the highs are not rolled off, but you are able to electrically damp the coils in the cartridge so they don't ring. Most of the moving magnets I have tried like higher values- 20,000 ohms or more (usually the stock value in the preamp is 47,000 ohms) but I have seen a few that loaded quite well around 8,000 ohms.

The advantage of this technique is you can get the loading to really work right without tradeoffs that often accompany the capacitive method.

You will need some sort of variable resistance that can be operated across the input connection of the phono preamp (I've used stereo volume controls from Radio Shack, wired as reostats). However since you have a certain amount of capacitance in the interconnect cable, the result is actually a combination of the two.

Thanks very much Atma Sphere,I really believe that what I am talking about is indeed the cartridge ringing.
When I up the cap value, the sound is more silent, almost digital quiet, but some of the "air" is missing.

I'll start to experiment with the resistance, and back down on the cap.

Yes, I think you will find it easier to hit that 'sweet spot'. Please report back on your findings :)

I tried backing off from 47 K and went to 200, but the sound just got very dull and volume level dropped.
I've set things at 150pf and so far so good.

I think I"ll take a break and just listen for awhile, get a good fix on this setting and then try some more settings.
I know my cartridge isn't High end, but it is a nice fit on my Rega 1000 arm, and I like the way it sounds,so in all likelyhood I am not utilizing the steelheads full potential.

Lacee, 200 ohms would be **way** too low! I would start with something much higher, perhaps 20,000 ohms. Certainly you should not experience a drop in volume! If that occurs, you need a higher value. Note that this only applies to moving magnet cartridges.