Added an SUT...not sure I understood this

@intactaudio 

I know of several people who routinely load MC carts at 3-5X the internal impedance.  They do this out of sonic preference

Yes - I have seen this phenomenon myself when I was a high end audio distributor in the 80's. Usually it is psychological, they like an effete sound or rolled off top end because their mother told them off too much when they were young.

Odd... it seems to me that insisting one trust a published suggested load over their ears is just the opposite of open minded.

If you read my earlier posts correctly I suggested he should try the higher loads. The OP has chosen not to try higher loads.

The only reason I took the time to write my post with regards to published specifications and recommended load was to inform the thousands of readers of these forums whom do not post, but might rely on what they read in the thread.

apologies to all for veering off topic here....

@dover 

I have yet to se actual measured frequency sweeps from a MC cartridge that show the ""rolled off" top end you suggest above.  Can you point me to some?

The only reason I took the time to write my post with regards to published specifications and recommended load was to inform the thousands of readers of these forums whom do not post, but might rely on what they read in the thread.

I have the same belief.... kinda...  I was just trying to point out to the 'thousands of readers of this thread' that the whole concept of "current injection" flies 100% in the face of blind adherence to the manufacturers minimum load spec.  ie...I see the natural conclusion of your logic to be:  if 100Ω is the minimum <3Ω cannot sound good so it need not be tried.

dave

@intactaudio 

Once again, please read my posts more thoroughly - here is what I posted initially

What I would suggest is get a pair of 470ohm resistors and try running the OC9 straight into your SP14 loaded at 470ohms. This will give you a direct comparison with and without the step up with the same loading. 

The SP14 does not use current injection mode. Your insistence on bringing into the discussion another variable ( current mode ) that is irrelevant to the OP's issues only serves to add more confusion to an already confused OP. 

@dover 

the last post in this thread from the OP is below:

@dover The sheet that came with my cart says 20 ohms. AT has not been consistent with their specs on the OC9 series.  More importantly, it sounds better around 20 ohms than at 100.  Plenty of people agree with me on this.  I'm not going to load it at 100 just because you won't stop yelling at me.  I'm going to load it at whatever achieves the best sound in my system. 

to which you responded with the text quoted in my first post here where you insisted there must be something wrong with his system.  

I applaud and support the OP's POV that what sounds best is best. I brought current injection into the topic because it is a perfect example on how an amplification method that many find appealing provides a load that is in stark contrast with what any cartridge manufacturer suggests as optimal.  I for one would like to see more discussion about how to reconcile this discrepancy.

dave

@intactaudio 

Then why don't you start your own thread on "loading - voltage vs current mode amplification of moving coil cartridges".

Do you understand the difference between voltage and current ?

If you start a new thread there are many knowledgeable folk on the forum who can help you.