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Full Version: Phono MC loading setting „High”
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Hi guys,

I extensively use the phono stage on my Expert 400 and I’m loving it. I am planning to buy a new cartridge and got my eye on Soundsmith Zephyre Star MIMC. It requires at least 470 ohm of loading but optimally around 1000 ohm. The highest selectable loading value for MC cartridge in phono configurator is 460 ohm followed by setting „High”. Does anybody know what the value of „High” actually is? I sent this question to Devialet support team almost a month ago but have not received any reponse yet. Looks like the quality of custommer support has really gone down the drain. This is my second inquiry which was left unanswered in the last couple of months.
I would really appreciate your help in this matter. 

BTW, If anyone had any experience with Soundsmith Zephyre Star MIMC and Devialet Expert phono stage please also share your comments if possible.

Thanks
„High” ought to be 47k ohm as that is the standard load for MM and high output MC. It might be less though, like 20-25K... The customer support at Devialet has never been the most reliable in matters like this. they may answer or they may not... I do not own a 200/400 so someone who does can maybe chime in here? The Soundsmith cartridge should work well with the 400, the 460 ohm setting might be good. It's low output so use the MC sensitivity.
I have Zephyr mk3 and I use high value.
I assume that for zephyr mimc it wound be one step smaller value.
A question regarding the MM phono setting was raised with Mathieu Pernot at one of the Devialet events at Oxford Audio.

In summary:

7) What is the input impedance of the MM phono input? Has this been changed since Stereophile measured 14K on the D-Premier?

A: It was 16.7 kΩ on the D-Premier (reported as 14 kΩ by Stereophile) but has always been 47 kΩ on all Expert models.


A link to relevant thread:

https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Last-min...6#pid76696


I am assuming that the High setting on the MC is also 47 kΩ, but that is just an assumption.
Thanks guys for the feedback. I also saw the Stereophile measurements which got me a bit confused.

Additionally, in his Zephyre Star MIMC review, Fremer wrote :

„Soundsmith recommends loading to 470 ohms or more to avoid high frequency roll-off. A Soundsmith spokesperson recommends closer to 1000 ohms, but this is a personal choice. However, once you get below 470ohms you’ll easily hear the top end roll off. You can try 47kOhms too but you’ll probably hear an undamped resonant peak.”

Hence my question to anyone who actually tested Zephyre MIMC (Zephyr MK3 has totally different requirements) with the Devialet phono stage.
Is 460 loading too low and 47k actually too high to get the optimal performance with Devialet?
A 1k resistor across the input (from signal to ground) of a 47k impedance will result in just under 1k (979 ohms) load. Should be fairly easy to try.