One thing I do notice about the Carmen is that it makes the loudest noise when hitting the bump stop at teh end of the dead wax of any cartridge that I have ever heard. I'm not sure why.
Not that it is a problem, it just seems a bit strange to me.
Steve does your MI cart behave like this as well?
I would not say it does T, but I usually try to lift the needle before the end. I don't have a huge library, I can try some LPs tomorrow and modify my post.
There were a couple of different versions of my 320STR cartridge T, which could affect the "pop".
Below is my "brick" version specs, same color body. I wonder what it would cost new today? It sounds wonderful.
Specifications
Stylus: Perfect Vital STR polished natural gemstone, shibata type configuration
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 45 kHz
Channel separation: minimum 33db
Output voltage: 3.2 mV
Channel balance: within 1dB
Impedance: 2.7 k ohms
DC resistance: 580 ohms
Load resistance: 47K ohms
Compliance: 42 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz
Tracking force range: 1.5 to 2.3g
Overall dimensions: 29 mm. x 18 mm. x 16mm
Net weight: 5.45g
Mounting: standard 1/2" (12.7mm)
I have heard through a friend that others have claimed that this cartridge needs a 100k ohm load, not 47k. 100K load is a wow.
Cheers
steve