Cartridge output question.

The low output ones sound better. Go with a stage that works with the type of cartridge you intend to use. Dynavector 10x5 is a good HOMC, the new Ortofon MM have a good rep but if you really like the LOMC better you are just beating around the bush.

I am also "an electrical engineer of the old school with many years experience" (although not in audio), and I agree with Stan.

Regards,
-- Al

Dear Pedrillo: The cartridge output level IMHO is only one of the several factors that define the cartridge signal quality performance.

In absolute terms a LO cartridge should " sounds " better due that the cartridge signal " sees " less coil wire but this sole fact does not define the LO cartridge quality performance.
Anyway, that LO cartridge signal must pass for more gain stages than a HO cartridge signal where in those additional gain stages ( along additional cables and connectors ) the cartridge signal suffer a degradation that the HO cartridge signal don't.

As you can see there is nothing perfect but " full " of trade-offs.

+++++ " As for me I prefer the lomc, should I consider the high outputs. " +++++

absoutey it is a good alternative/choice to think in a MM cartridge design.

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Pedrillo: Please read this:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1236947666&openflup&49&4#49

Regards and enjoy the music.
Rau.

Hi,

let me add some to the above. The LO output carts (MCs), as Raul pointed out have a lesser internal resistance due to fewer windings --- BUT fewer windings in an MC ALSO means less coil weight to slug about (less inertia). Both will, all things being equal, result in higher signal resolution. This has per se NOTHING directly to do with TONALITY, which you might like or not, given any particular cart.

The theme goes further. As the 'old school' of course has a point also: higher output is ALSO better for reasons Raul mentioned, --- BUT NOT AT the expense of more coil weight!
A HI output MC will always be more resolution/detail challanged than a LO output one.
So what’s left now is the magnet and flux plate. A more powerful magnetic field, AND better magnetic flux can now create MC carts with as little as 1.5 ohm internal resistance (very light coil with fewer windings) AND close to 0.6 mV output. So far the best of the two worlds. 'Transfiguration' and 'Airtight' offer these ---- BUT you have to pay for it ~ 6k$ to ~8k$ respectively.

If that is too much $$$, then I would still go for LO internal resistance with a low mV output as a trade-off ----- provided you consider a phono-pre that has a trannie OR using an external step-up trannie.

With the low output cart the trannie will pull maximum current from the MC and comfortably convert it into the desired higher voltage of 5 - 8mV with no added noise(higher ratio would produce distortion in the phono-pre).

This method is still best to avoid tube noise, or even solid-state noise ---- BUT it also improves the MC cart's performance noticably in overall dynamics and bass.

Greetings,
Axel

Dear Axel: I don't want to hi-jack this tread so if you have an answer from what I ask next then please do it on the thread I linked here on other post:

what do you think on the MM alternative? do you already experienced on the last six months? which cartridges models?

Thank you in advance.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Hi Raul,
+++ what do you think on the MM alternative? do you already experienced on the last six months? which cartridges models?
+++
Please check your MM thread for my response. I hope it's of some use :-)
Axel