[lcrim]

In my living room system I moved the IC's from the low impedance inputs (47 ohms) to the hi impedance inputs (100 ohms) on my EE MM phono section and the result was a dull, lifeless, closed-in presentation.  The Benz Micro Glider L2 which the manufacturer lists @ 12 ohms internal impedance simply sounded much better @ 47 ohms loading than @ 100 ohms.  (No not 47K ohms but 47 ohms.)  This is just opposite of what you would expect.  Benz Micro recommends 100 ohms loading, BTW.  I spoke w/ Kevin Barrett and Bill O'Connell to get their opinions.  The EE MM phono section does have built-in SUT's for MC carts which must have two taps, one @ 47 ohms with less windings and one @ 100 ohms with more windings.  For whatever reason, the Glider didn't work as well at a higher loading.  Perhaps the 47 ohm setting provides higher gain?
I mention this to point out that you should try all available settings before settling on one.

[gooberdude]

I'm really glad we share experiences that to some would be mundane.   After reading a few other posts lately i decided to fiddle with the VPP-1.

The adjustments are few, but i found that i like the force and drive that comes from boosting the gain to 50db, but leaving the other adjustments to standard MM.

The extra gain needed is due to the mismatch between my TVC and Belles 150A i think.  for all other sources there's a match...on some LP's i had the dial past 5 oclock.   Now its steady rockin at about 1 oclock with better bass.

Its funny to only have a few settings to choose from, easy enough to discern that i need/want a new stage with multiple adjustments...

[TheChairGuy]

Acceptable gain is probably more beneficial than capacitive loading on MM's.  GooberMatt - you definitely need to juice to 50db using a TVC.

My preamp phono stage is low-ish gain, as are my tube amps....yet my speakers are easy driving (deafening levels with a 5watt Sonic T-amp, for instance).  Using my low gain preamp, tube amps and same speakers.....no cartridge under 4mv output sounds right.  The best is 6.05mv...not sure it's the best cartridge of the bunch; merely the strongest output. I have no adjustable gain options here.

The cartridge output makes up for the feeble gain elsewhere...fleshing out bass and everything else.

Vinyl is so deficient in respect to CD in the first place in dynamics...that any shortfall is really noticeable.

Now, this has nothing to do with Larry's original post on impedance - sorry 

Impedance matching with MC's (quantitatively and quantitively) likely more important than capacitance matching with MM's.

Larry/lcrim - member Toka has a MC loading spreadsheet that may just tell you why your Benz sounds nicer at 47ohm, than recommended 100 ohms. It takes into accounts thigns other than internal impedance and inductance - whole new world's of tweekism that is mind-blowing . It's bewilderingly complex, however. He sent copies to WEEZ and I recently.

[WEEZ]

Icrim,

Good info. (one more thing for vinyl newbies out there to fret over )

WEEZ