Technical bulletin #2

RECOMMENDED PHONO CARTRIDGES
for use with your AUDIBLE ILLUSIONS MODULUS 3A PREAMPLIFIER

Originally our intention was for the new Modulus 3A preamplifier to have enough gain in the phono stage to allow for use of both low-output moving coil as well as moving magnet cartridges.

Ongoing research, using low output cartridges with the Modulus 3A as well as other manufacturers "high-gain" tube preamps, revealed two interesting results:

First:  Many manufacturers of low-output moving coil cartridges recommend low impedance loading. We discovered that when you apply their recommended load impedance to most of these cartridges the sound quality deteriorated. In our opinion, these cartridges sounded better straight into the Modulus’ 47 kOhm phono stage input without additional loading.

Second:  We observed that most low-output MC cartridges we tested sounded the best/most musical with the tube circuit having the fewest gain stages. With the preamps we tested the extra stages seemed to degrade the tonal linearity and phase relationships of recorded music.

We therefore decided to continue producing the Modulus with a medium-gain phono circuit and offer our customers an optional, factory installed, high-gain phono stage if the customer requires such.

Fortunately, cartridge manufacturers have been developing better medium and high-output moving coil designs. We are impressed with many of these new cartridges. Concurrently, the improvements in moving magnet cartridges have also been exciting.

Since we have decided to continue to offer the Modulus with a medium-output phono stage, we feel obligated to evaluate the current crop of MM and MC cartridges and make appropriate recommendations with the hope that this will help you enjoy your Modulus’ sonic capabilities even more. Attached is our list of recommended cartridges, both high, medium and low output that we feel work best with the Modulus.

In developing the list we first complied a master list of over thirty cartridges using input from our dealers, other manufacturers, customers, more than fifty audiophiles, and much research of recent cartridge reviews. Cartridges tested were either already owned, purchased specially for testing or on loan from dealers. A few were samples of cartridges that are just now coming on the market.

Our listening panel took many of hours of evaluation on different systems. Our sole consideration was:  Which cartridges sound best with the Modulus 3A? We hope you find our opinions useful.

Finally, since we would like to update the list periodically, your input and personal recommendations would be appreciated.

Good Listening.

AUDIBLE ILLUSIONS

MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES (MEDIUM HIGH OUTPUT)

MOVING MAGNET CARTRIDGES (MEDIUM-HIGH OUTPUT)

MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES (LOW OUTPUT) FOR USE WITH M/C stage