Capacitance loading and fixed coil cartridges


Hi all.  I am looking at all the various models of Soundsmith cartridges and seeing three different output levels, 2.12 mV, 1.1 mV and 0.4mV). I happen to have a low output version. I was wondering if anyone knew if the ideal amount of capacitance applied by the phono preamp (and phono cable) was dependent on the cartridge output?  In other words, higher output MM and MI cartridges require more capacitance and lower output cartridges less capacitance. Is this on track? How does inductance play a role here?  

-Karl
128x128karl_desch

Showing 1 response by ps68

Karl,

For MC, as low a capacitance as is possible is preferred. See below:
http://www.extremephono.com/Loading.htm
http://sound.whsites.net/articles/cartridge-loading.html

I would suppose that your tonearm wire and interconnect would produce about 100pf shunt capacitance, so maybe set the Pass at the minimum or no additional capacitance and adjust loading to suit.

Best / Paul.