When mating a phono cartridge to a phono stage preamp, other than the basic construction (MM, low output MC, high MC) what electronic parameters need to be addressed to assure compatibility?
Moving magnets are fairly easy to deal with. They typically require no additional loading and most phono pre amps come set up for the 47kOhm load the MM wants to see. Make certain the pre amp you use has enough gain to allow the use of the cartridge you choose, the pre amp should operate with the volume control advanced no more than 3 O'Clock. Low output moving coils should have the provision for cartridge loading, both capacitance and resistance. Depending on the output voltage from a low output mc, you'll require suificient gain from the pre amp or step up transformer to drive your amp to full power after feeding a RIAA phono stage. High output mc's meant to run into a mm phono stage usually require no additional loading and are typically happy at the same 47kOhm load. The same provisions for gain apply to all cartridge/pre amp combinations.