1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 185240-96030

Benz Micro Glider Loading

Hello,

I have an original Benz Glider. The measurements that came with the cartridge is .9mv and suggested loading is 1000-47k.

I ran this into a Krell KSL w/phono stage at 1k with good results.

I’ve also ran this into a Rogue Audio Model 99 Magnum with tubed phono and Hagerman Piccolo head amp at 1k with good results.

Right now, I’m using a MoFi Studio phono pre and am running it at 1k.

I’ve tried higher and lower load settings and to my ears, 1k seems to be the sweet spot.

I’ve been looking at phono pre’s on Audiogon and USAudiomart. I noticed some of them don’t have 1k loading as an option.

Should this deter me from considering these units?

I noticed after doing some research that others have been running their Gliders at much less than 1k. I found that running it much below 1k kind of sucked the life out of the sound in my experience.

I should mention that I had the Glider retipped with a micro-line stylus profile. The original was elliptical.

Admittedly, I may not understand loading and how it works as well as others. I can only go by what sounds good to me.

nicktheknife
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,404 posts
 

I don’t want to appear ignorant but I’m not sure how the info you provided helps me in deciding what phono pre I should look for other than listening of course which really isn't an option when buying used.   One with a 1k loading option or not?

@nicktheknife You will have to listen. Designers are not in the habit of letting you know whether they know what they are doing or not. My point was that 1K isn't needed if the phono section is properly designed; the industry stock standard of 47K should be fine.

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

@atmasphere 

Thanks for your response and patience.  I'm not as technically knowledgeable as someone as yourself but it's nice to soak up as much info as possible.

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

@mulveling 

I'll look into some of your suggestions.  I think I mentioned earlier that I had a Hagerman Piccolo that I built from a kit.   I liked it very much and wish I still had it.  

I also took pride in the fact that I built it and could put quality parts into it.

voolston
5 posts
 

Before breaking my Glider, I recall loading to 1000 ohms made the cartridge "less hot" (as a friend described it). I had forgotten that my then Pass Labs Ono had loading options was it was like getting a free upgrade! My Clearaudio Discovery wound up at about 400 ohms. Then I got a Atmasphere preamp and in short order had the terminals installed to allow loading. I don't recall there really being a sonic difference when I did and about a year or so ago I removed them altogether and thusly defaulting to the 47,000 ohm standard. I want to say the sound is a little "more open" but won't swear to it. I'm certainly no worse for it and if anything, another "thing" has been removed from the path which is always good, IMO. Perhaps Ralph is correct about it not making a difference in his preamp. By all means experiment, but don't be afraid to try no loading at all.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,404 posts
 

Perhaps Ralph is correct about it not making a difference in his preamp.

@voolston You can imagine that if I'm aware of this issue facing all phono sections that we would make an effort to see to it that our phono section didn't have a loading problem...

More to discover