Optimal loading for the Ortofon Cadenza Black

[Wakefield Turntables]

Ortofon recommend a phonostage load of anything > 10 ohms, mines currently setup at 100 ohms.

I just wondered if anyone had tried different loads and how much of an impact it had on sonic performance.

[take5]

Hi, I dont know anything about the specs etc, but if it helps, I used my Cadenza Black with an Audio Innovations series 800 SUT and it sounded great.

[NRG]

My experience is only with the older Kontrapunkt B and I load it at 47R...

[Clive197]

Sorry, like you my black is set up for 100 Ohms and I have never tried anything else. Food for thought though.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks to all those who have replied. I'm going to talk to Sugden & Ortofon at some point next week and see what they have to say. I'll update when I have more info.

[Ammonite Audio]

What don't you like about the Cadenza Black in your current setup? How does it sound if you play it through your Paradise phono amp?

On paper, the Ortofon ST-80 SUT should provide optimum 100 ohm loading into a 47k ohm phono stage input, but my experience (albeit with a Kontrapunkt B) is that the ST-80 isn't really very good. I bought one to replace a Bob's Devices SUT and regretted it instantly - it was simply not at all engaging to listen to. My Audio Note AN-S3H SUT is in a completely different league to the ST-80, with similar electrical characteristics. Even better was the Choir Audio Hashimoto HM7 SUT that MartinT once brought over. The Choir was too much money, sadly!

So, if you aren't quite satisfied with how your Cadenza Black is sounding, I recommend that you get a different SUT on loan.