Vista Audio - audiophile electronics

The table below lists examples of cartridges and optimum settings based on our experience and users' feedback. Please note that some results differ from manufacturer recommendations. This is most common for MM cartridges, where loading of 47 kohm is a de‑facto industry standard, while many modern cartridges benefit from lower (or higher) loading. The examples below are not the definitive guide and should be considered as the first step in fine tuning performance of a cartridge‑preamplifier system in order to maximize sound quality and synergy with the rest of the music reproduction chain.

OPTIMUM CARTRIDGE SETTINGS			Phono‑1 SETTINGS
CARTRIDGE	LOAD	GAIN	R11, R12	R21, R22	R101, R102
ADC QLM34 Mk III	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

Argent MC500H	100 ohm	50 dB	100 ohm	47.5 ohm	-

Audio Technica AT‑OC9ML/II	47 ohm	60 dB	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm
Audio Technica AT15SA	23 kohm	50 dB	47.5 kohm	47.5 ohm	-
Audio Technica AT33‑PTG	47 ohm	60 dB	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm
Audio Technica AT150MLX	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

Benz Micro Ace	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-

Clearaudio Maestro Wood (v1)	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

Decca (London) Maroon	33 kohm	50 dB	105 kohm	-	-

Denon DL‑103R	100 ohm	65 dB	100 ohm	22.1 ohm	47.5 ohm
Denon DL‑110	10 kohm	50 dB	13 kohm	47.5 ohm	-
Denon DL‑301 Mk II	200 ohm	60 dB	200 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm
Denon DL‑304	500 ohm	65 dB	511 ohm	22.1 ohm	47.5 ohm

Dynavector 10X5	1 kohm	50 dB	1 kohm	47.5 ohm	-

GAS Sleeping Beauty	100 ohm	65 dB	100 ohm	22.1 ohm	47.5 ohm

Goldring Eroica LX	47 ohm	60 dB	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm

Grado Prestige Black	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-
Grado Prestige Blue	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-
Grado Prestige Green	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

Koetsu Onyx	47 ohm	60 dB	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm

Linn Arkiv	100 ohm	65 dB	100 ohm	22.1 ohm	47.5 ohm

Lyra Delos	100 ohm	55 dB	100 ohm	22.1 ohm	-

Music Hall Magic 3 (mfg. by Ortofon)	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-

Ortofon 2M Blue	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-
Ortofon 2M Bronze	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-
Ortofon 2M Red	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-
Ortofon M20FL‑Super	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-
Ortofon OM 5E	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-
Ortofon Super OM 20	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 ohm	-	-

Pioneer PC‑41MC	23 kohm	50 dB	47.5 kohm	47.5 kohm	-

Rega Elys 2	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-
Rega Exact MM	23 kohm	50 dB	47.5 kohm	47.5 ohm	-

Reson Reca MM	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

SAE 1000E	47 kohm	50 dB	-	47.5 ohm	-

Shelter 501 MkII MC	100 ohm	60 dB	100 ohm	47.5 ohm	47.5 ohm

Shure N75EJ	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-
Shure M97xE	23 kohm	40 dB	47.5 kohm	-	-

Stanton 890AL	47 kohm	40 dB	-	-	-

Van den Hul Frog	47.5 ohm	55 dB	47.5 ohm	22.1 ohm	-