Gain and Loading


Hello friends,
I recently acquired a phono preamp with adjustable gain and loading. What should I listen for when trying to come up with the best settings? My cartridge is currently a Dynavector DV20-XH (2.5 mv output and loading specified as ">1000").
I currently have the phono stage set at 50db gain and 47K loading.
A related question: Should I be trying to use the minimim amount of gain that produces a good result, or the maxium amount? (Same goes for loading).
Thanks in advance.

Tom
tfkaudio

Showing 1 response by lewm

One approach to adjusting the load resistance is to start at 47K ohms, as you have done, and gradually reduce the value while noting any changes in apparent gain. When the volume at a given gain setting starts to decrease in relation to reducing the load resistance, then you have gone too far. Go back up to a value that gave no perceptible (or measurable if possible) loss of gain compared to the 47K ohm value. Choose any load resistance between the "critical" one that you determined experimentally and 47K, based on your listening preference.