RB250 wiring: is there anything in the measurements...

[Coda II]

... that tells us why people take against it so?


The standard wiring in the RB250 is something that is widely derided; except when it's not that is.

Is there anything in particular in the specification of that wiring that suggest why some folk don't get on with it?

Thanks

 

[YNMOAN]

No.

 

[RobHolt]

No, but its always worth checking that the cable capacitance is within the limits specified by the cartridge manufacturer.

Capacitance can have a huge effect on the sound of a MM cartridge. It can transform a dull and turgid sounding cartridge into soomething bright and lively- or the reverse.

Measurements reveal it readily.

Standard Rega wiring is perfectly fine for the job.

 

[Coda II]

Thanks.

That's that one sorted then.

Moving on, in general terms, moving magnets are thought of as less finicky than MCs. Phono stages can be simpler and I don't usually see talk of different loading and so on.

You seem to be suggesting that it's just as easy to go wrong with a MM though?

 

[RobHolt]

Thanks.

That's that one sorted then.

Moving on, in general terms, moving magnets are thought of as less finicky than MCs. Phono stages can be simpler and I don't usually see talk of different loading and so on.

You seem to be suggesting that it's just as easy to go wrong with a MM though?

Easier IMO because loading has considerable effect on their performance.
MCs are quite resilient by comparison.
I'll put up some plots showing how capacitance alters the response of many MMs cartridges.

 

[Coda II]

My current cart - a Goldring 1040 - is given as a load capacitance of 150 - 200 pF (well the 1042 is, I'm assuming it's the same).

My previous cart - a Clearaudio Aurum is given as a load capacitance of 100pF

My phono stage has an input capacitance of 120 pF.

Does this suggest that the Goldring is in fact better suited to my set-up? (irrespective of what the RB250 wiring is doing)

I much prefer it, but had put this in the main down to stylus profile.

 

[RobHolt]

My current cart - a Goldring 1040 - is given as a load capacitance of 150 - 200 pF (well the 1042 is, I'm assuming it's the same).

My previous cart - a Clearaudio Aurum is given as a load capacitance of 100pF

My phono stage has an input capacitance of 120 pF.

Does this suggest that the Goldring is in fact better suited to my set-up? (irrespective of what the RB250 wiring is doing)

I much prefer it, but had put this in the main down to stylus profile.

Likely a combination of both factors.

I might have some plots for your 1040 showing the effect of varying the capacitance. I'll check tonight and pop up some scans.

<edit> Only have results for the older 900 series but the generator looks the same - same inductance and dc coil resistance.
Those were pretty tolerant with 200-400pf having little effect. So no need to worry.

 

[speedy.steve]

... that tells us why people take against it so?


The standard wiring in the RB250 is something that is widely derided; except when it's not that is.

Is there anything in particular in the specification of that wiring that suggest why some folk don't get on with it?

Thanks

Nope - I think it's just the limitation of the arm itself. It gets you so far but even a fully modded O.L version is not the bees knees as it were.