Resistor in phono stage

With SUTs, it is the loading of the transformer to prevent ringing and also to allow it to express its turns ratio that is important.

If loaded with a value too low, the highs will be rolled off. If loaded with too high a value, there will be ringing, which is say distortion, most audible as being bright and in your face.

Low output cartridges by themselves are insensitive to loading. Its the SUT and and also the preamp where the loading becomes critical.

Awesome guys.You probably helped alot of us out.thanks

Hi,just letting you know.Everything under the hood appears to be standard.Over the last few weeks,ive weeded out 90 odd records.I now believe my problem was,,,with moving up the transparency ladder,my record collection needed adjustment.With a good recording Im very happy with what Im hearing.It is a little strange how a old new record has lost something.Anyway,I think im on the right track now.thanks

Good advice above. Also important is exactly which brand and type of resistor and capacitor you use. I prefer nude Vishay VAR resistors, available from Parts Connexion. For capacitors, styrene film and foil from Relcap, or just about any source, sound best to me (also available from Parts Connexion). Teflon caps can sound a bit hard, but not styrene.

I certainly agree about the (subtle) effects of resistors and capacitors, in any circuit, but in this case the issue of cartridge loading, if it were to be an issue, is dominant over parts quality, in my opinion.  Once you skew the frequency response, boutique parts are not going to fix that (unless you also change values to correct the frequency response).