Simaudio MOON LP5.3 RS or 300LP?

Dinster, That list of resistive loading options for your Audia Flight is indeed very odd. Perhaps there is a built in SUT for MC. Sometimes the stated value of the load is tricky to interpret when there is a SUT and if the load resistor is installed in front of or after the SUT. BUT, I really cannot imagine loading any cartridge at less than 30 ohms, net. And why one would need a choice of both 90 and 100 ohms, not to mention 7, 9, and 10 ohms, is also a puzzle. Something is fishy.

I just Googled Fremer's review of the Audia Flight from 2009. He wrote the following as regards cartridge loading, "The jumper system offers 16 logically chosen values between 60 ohms and 47k ohms, which was more than enough for me."

Are y'all using balanced or single ended ICs with this? I was underwhelmed using RCAs.

I had a 5.3 with the power supply and much preferred the Avid Pulsus to it, which I have since replaced with the Musical Fidelity kW.

Sorry to rain on the Simaudio Moon 5.3 parade. But I found the bass and the treble considerably improved on the Avid when I compared them head-to-head.

Roscoeiii - I'm using single ended Essence gZero6 IC's from KLE Innovations - these are exceptional performers on any gear.

Regards

Lewm, those loadings are correct for the MC input, and there is no step up transformer. It is bizarre, and I would like an explanation from Audia why they chose those levels. I emailed them and they have not replied.
Having said that it sounds great at 47k i.e.. no loading at all, and I'm currently running at 980 Ohm. If I understand correctly, the ideal would be no loading, but some phono stages can't deal with the high frequency peak in the megaHz range, and so sound edgy. As you load down you dampen dynamics and cause some phase shifts, but remove the high frequency peak.

Thought I'd post a follow up, several months later. After my initial enthusiasm, my position has changed!! Just did an AB of the Flight Phono with the Sim 5.3/PSX, wow it is chalk and cheese! The Flight is just so much better in every respect, more detailed and extended highs and the bass, which was my initial complaint, is just all there and incredibly detailed. Just so much more air, and presence. Much more dynamic. Test records Cafe Blue and Sera Una Noche (La Segunda). More than that I get confused, one track is about more than my aural memory
Seems like the Flight Phono takes an incredibly long time to run in. During this time it went cold and edgy at least twice, even though my initial run in was with a CD and reverse RIAA equaliser for 2 days (not listening). It was worth waiting for it to come on line. Note to myself, don't judge a component on the first day or even week. Unfortunately it is just in a different league to the Sim, much as I liked the Sim. I guess my Sim is finally up for sale!
This must be a solid state thing, my Oppo 105 also went cold twice before it settled down, now if anything it is overblown in the bass.
Still at 980 Ohm loading and using balanced old fashioned AudioQuest Black Diamond (x3).