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Cimpliance Vs Cartridge loading

Hello allI know I'm a pain, but need help??I have a PS Audio, phono stage, trouble is cartridge, loading starts at 100 ohm, then next adjustment, is 500 ohms, I'm running a Dennon?Zu 103, rated as 300 ohms, into 500 ohm, Yea great bass, but the treble is far to harsh, turning, back to 100"ohms,  I have lost all my bass slam??, an the sound is very boring!!, I'm stuck!!
I'm thinking of buying the "Herron VTPH 2 A phono stage, I don't know how this will sound, or is available in Australia??, at lease I can insert any RCA connectors?? , But am confused the difference between  impedance, and cartridge loading??, can some one help, with all the above, the main object, is to keep the great bass, but shaved the top end, just a bit??, it is a bit hard for me as you have many shops, in the US, we have three, and where I live, I'm four hours drive, from them, but they are not any where good??, cheap stuff!!,
Regards
David SpryAustralia

128x128daveyonthecoast
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
Compliance has nothing to do with a cartridge loading.
Your cartridge is low compliance anyway, no matter which loading you’re using.

Gold Note PH-10 phono stage will give you an amazing opportunity for MC cartridges, it’s brand new top quality product, you can find more information about it HERE

I am happy with this phono stage for most of my MC (i have many).
External PSU is a must have too

P.S. you can always try your Denon with SUT + MM phono stage as an alternative to your MC phono stage.
I'm pretty sure there are many better cartridges than your Zu DL103 with conical stylus, maybe it's time to try another cartridge with better stylus profile if you need more bass and better treble ? 

larryi
1,972 posts
 
Typically, when you go to a lower numeric value for loading (going from 500 ohms to 100 ohms) you are increasing the loading and this does cut the high frequencies.  This tends to make the bass seem MORE prominent, but you are reporting a loss in bass slam, so this is somewhat anomalous.  I think you are hearing increase in bass as bass being a bit loose.  

Your "free" option, at this point, is to try adjusting the vertical tracking angle (VTA) of the cartridge.  This also affects tonal balance--higher angle (toward more of a tail up, nose down attitude) would mean more highs and a leaner tighter bass, lower angle would increase bass and lower treble.  There might be some new combination of loading and VTA that gets you closer to what you want.

Good luck on solving your issues.

brf
1,699 posts
 
What you could be experiencing is a cartridge / tonearm mismatch, not a loading issue.  IME, the Zu/Denon likes a high(er) mass tonearm to get that tight articulated bass.
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