2. analog
  3. 180677-89202

What a difference a setting makes.

I recently got a new turntable (Feikert,) Arm (Origin Live,) and cartridge Hana ML.) A whole new analog setup. I talked myself into thinking the sound was good, although I had doubts when I compared the SQ with the sound I was getting from the digital side. It was really great on some records (the equal of digital,) but the majority of discs were mediocre. Finally, I decided that with such good equipment I should be doing better. So, I contacted my salesman/advisor for help. He had initially recommended that I set the preamp with the gain at 58 and the load at 100 (evidently the standard for the Hana cartridge.) I kept it on that setting for several weeks.  
When I called him he suggested that I increase the load to 200. 
All of a sudden everything opened up! Almost everything I played had a presence it lacked before. The proverbial veil was lifted.  Records really did sound wonderful!  
I can’t help but think, that if I hadn’t had enough with the old sound I would be blissfully ignorant of what my set was capable.

 

128x128rvpiano
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Cartridge loading has that effect. "Loading down" to 100ohms is very low impedance and gives a nice round warm full bodied sound but can go to far and be fat and congested. Increasing to 200 opened it up by in effect asking for less current from the cartridge. When you fall in love, stop. If you want even greater dynamics, detail, and presence you might want to risk increasing even a bit more. No harm no foul and you can always go back.

Once you're happy with that, which Origin Live arm do you have? If it has VTA on the fly you can get really amazing improvement dialing that in. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,153 posts
 

In my setup the Hana ML with Sutherland 20/20 MkII LPS sounds better at 58/100. Table is MoFi UltraDeck. Although I admit I have only tried and didn’t like 200ohm load setting when the 20/20 was still breaking in. It sounded too full at 200, not as relaxed and engaging and was too much of a good thing, too busy sounding.
I can try 200ohm and see if it’s any different than what it sounded like in the beginning.
What really amazed me is the change in sound when I dialed in the overhang, azimuth, VTA, etc. using the Dr. Feichert Protractor. That was just mind blowing how everything just came together when properly set up.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,413 posts
 

Millercarbon,

Origin Live - Silver MK4A 9.5" Tonearm with Mounted VTA Lifter.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,404 posts
 

Free the music—lighten the loading. 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,413 posts
 

I just can’t believe the difference between the two settings. Every record I put on is a new discovery in sound that went previously unheard.
The improvement is not subtle, but palpable in just about every parameter
The music comes to life.

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