Question on loading and interconnects

Your Cardas/Benz cart is a moving-coil, which means it isn't critical as to load capacitance. 400 ohms resistive loading could be in the higher range for proper response with a low-output MC anyway, but regardless, choice of interconnects won't have any appreciable impact on resistive loading since they've got neglible resistance. If you want to experiment with higher values, you'll have to accomplish it through substitution of loading resistors in the phono preamp, a subject you might want to contact Rowland about, and maybe also Cardas to see what their experience and recommendation is on the loading topic with your cart.

Dear Wrtickle: +++++" Is there a way I can experiment with cables (higher or lower capacitance maybe?) that will create a percieved load closer to 1k or 1.5k ohm? " +++++

First the capacitance comes in measure Farads and impedance comes in measure Ohms. What you want is a higher impedance than the 400 Ohms that you are using at the moment. No, you can do it through cables. What you can do is to change the resistors value on your phono-pre to the desired value.

Btw, what problem do you have with your Cardas/Benz Micro cartridge?, the 400 Ohms seems ok. Do you already try it at 47K?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Thank you all for your responses, very much appreciated...especially the circuits-for-dummys type site.

Raul - I have no "problem" with the cart, just a desire to try more loading values. Of the four available on the phono boards the 400ohm is certainly the best for me, and things are sounding the best they ever have, although a touch (and I do mean just a touch) on the dull side at times. I thought bumping up the load might put me in absolute nirvana.

circuits-for-dummys was a fun read.

Dear Wrtickle: I know very well the Cardas sound and I like it. I think that the " dull " perceived sound at the frequency extremes is not really a dull sound per se: I think it is a little polite and relaxed one against other more alive cartridges sound.

Maybe, and I say only maybe, if you change the phono cable you could have or be nearest for what you are looking for.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.