FWIW (I've gone into more detail as to 'why' elsewhere in these threads) I've found that the best baseline (starting point) for then establishing the optimum (best for your ears and your system) cartridge loading is 25 times the internal coil resistance (sometimes referred to as output impedance) Then try your listening tests within a +/_ 50% range of that number.
For example, the Airy 3 SH is 8 ohms (the SL is 4 ohms, but you didn't say which one you have.) So 25 x 8 = 200 ohms is your center point. (And until your cartridge has broken in for at least 100 hours, don't bother screwing around, just leave it at 200 ohms) The range to explore after break-in would be from 100 ohms to 300 ohms.
First make sure VTF, anti-skate, overhang, and SRA are correct. Then I always start at the lower end of the range and work up, to make sure I don't miss anything. At the lower end, you can basically expect the bass to be there OK, but it will be a little muddy or undefined. At the upper end of the range (and beyond), the bass will be lacking, and the mids and highs will stand out, maybe even a little glarey or grainy. Then you back down 'til the bass just comes back full and tight, and you're there. This will be the point at which your cartridge is giving the best energy transfer and the flattest response.
My pet peeve is with those who set the load too high. Sometimes as high as the standard MM 47,000 ohms! I often find these are the folks who tilt their tonearms backward because (though they probably don't realize it) doing so will roll off some of the high frequency imbalance they've created with too high a load setting. Now honestly, what cartridge maker in their right mind would install the stylus in the cantilever such that in order to attain the correct Stylus Rake Angle, you'd have to tilt the cartidge backward? Really!!
For example, the Airy 3 SH is 8 ohms (the SL is 4 ohms, but you didn't say which one you have.) So 25 x 8 = 200 ohms is your center point. (And until your cartridge has broken in for at least 100 hours, don't bother screwing around, just leave it at 200 ohms) The range to explore after break-in would be from 100 ohms to 300 ohms.
First make sure VTF, anti-skate, overhang, and SRA are correct. Then I always start at the lower end of the range and work up, to make sure I don't miss anything. At the lower end, you can basically expect the bass to be there OK, but it will be a little muddy or undefined. At the upper end of the range (and beyond), the bass will be lacking, and the mids and highs will stand out, maybe even a little glarey or grainy. Then you back down 'til the bass just comes back full and tight, and you're there. This will be the point at which your cartridge is giving the best energy transfer and the flattest response.
My pet peeve is with those who set the load too high. Sometimes as high as the standard MM 47,000 ohms! I often find these are the folks who tilt their tonearms backward because (though they probably don't realize it) doing so will roll off some of the high frequency imbalance they've created with too high a load setting. Now honestly, what cartridge maker in their right mind would install the stylus in the cantilever such that in order to attain the correct Stylus Rake Angle, you'd have to tilt the cartidge backward? Really!!
