Cartridge Impedance


I just bought a phono pre-amp that allows me to adjust the impedance of a MC cartridge. I was using 100ohms. Now I want to experiment.
Could someone tell me the effect the trebles will have if I lower or raise the suggested impedance. For example, If I raise the impedance will the highs be more prominent or less prominent? 
Thank you.
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Showing 1 response by anthonymaw

You've got three electrical parameters going on here to consider: Impedance (which depends on frequency), capacitance (from the phono cable to the preamp), and inductance from the MC coils. 

The combination effectively forms a broad band-pass filter. 

You indicate you can adjust the impedance that's basically like a slider on an graphic equalizer with a very wide band.

You can probably just tweak it so that it sounds "good".

To be more precise you would need a calibration record and adjust the impedance setting until you get a more-or-less flat frequency response sweep but that requires more equipment and time and effort that you're likely to want to do. 

Keep in mind that your phono preamp stage also applies RIAA equalization.