Resistive loading for SUT's

[louie3]

Folks,

I have been reading about and listening to different methods of loading an SUT with resistors.

On the one hand, one American SUT manufacturer says DON'T load his transformers at all.

On the other, another American SUT manufacturer says his SUT's can be optimized by adding parallel resistors and even provides sockets for them on the circuit boards inside his cases.

I am running, at the moment, my Soundsmith Denon 103 R with an SUT loaded on the secondary (output) with approximately the 14 ohm load that matches the stated internal impedance of the 103 R.

The first SUT maker says doing this will make the cartridge sound "muddy" by "bogging it down" electrically.

The 103 certainly does NOT sound "muddy"...in fact, it sounds mighty fine, and is getting better with use.

anybody here have thoughts on all this?

Thanks

[chelsea]

If it sounds great and is getting better forget about what is written.

[The Grand Wazoo]

It's generally really easy to try it with a step-up. Resistors cost pennies - I had fun trying different brands. You'll never know for sure till you try it in your system!

[louie3]

Chris and Stuart, thanks, and of course you are both right!!!

And then....I tried my Hagerman Piccolo head amp with the loading set at 100 ohms, and yes I am aware this is a different form of loading, but this sounded very good, too...better, I don't know yet.

So many choices, so little time.....luckily I have two clean copies of Haitink's Phillips recording of Pictures at an Exhibition.....I suspect I am going to wear one of them out......:cool:

Too bad exercising your ears won't reduce your middle.