Benz Micro M2 loading

When I had this cartridge, the loading was 800 Ohms via Audio Research PH3SE, on a VPI Aires 12 arm. It was just perfect.

The better the cart. the lower the loading.

I was once advised that loading a cart at about 9 times the cart's output impedance is a good starting point... so for the M2 with 24 ohm output impedance, that makes the loading just a hair under 220 ohms.

I own a Benz Ace Medium with the same .8mV output and 24 ohm output impedance, and I'm presently loading it at 220 ohms. I have also used 380 ohms (using some home made loading plugs).

You might try a little lower than 475 ohms and see what you think.

"The better the cart. the lower the loading."

I don't know where you heard that but it is definitely not true. Loading has to do with electrical resonance damping and cannot be systematically approached even on the basis of impedance matching. Some designers would even say the opposite in that if the cartridge needs to be electrically damped it isn't designed properly. Of course, that's one extreme opinion. Your new Goldfinger is a high output, high impedance design that will not do well with a low load impedance.

Jandrese9882,

What was "not right" about 1k? That or there abouts ought to work.

I've also heard 25 times, which puts it at about 600, but neither are necessarily
so. Where did you get the 24 ohm spec? I thought it was higher.