Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 3, 2020 22:32:28 GMT
Interestingly enough the AT20SLa has a frequency response of 5 to 50 kHz. How much of that is audible? Depends who you ask
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 4, 2020 8:01:20 GMT
Interestingly enough the AT20SLa has a frequency response of 5 to 50 kHz. How much of that is audible? Depends who you ask Depends who you are. I think I'm limited to about 12KHz max, these days, probably less (age 64). My wife (also 64 until tomorrow!) can definitely hear above 25KHz. I think that's very unusual.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 11:01:36 GMT
I get tested fairly regularly to my job. I don't yet have any drop off in my frequency range, but 50 kHz is pushing it slightly.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2020 20:33:22 GMT
Well more listening to music with the AT20SLa. Thoroughly enjoyable cartridge, which is really quite good in my opinion. It makes me wonder how much I would have to spend to get a big improvement. Obviously something like the cart Oli has bought would do it, but it is a tad pricey.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 7, 2020 21:14:02 GMT
Well more listening to music with the AT20SLa. Thoroughly enjoyable cartridge, which is really quite good in my opinion. It makes me wonder how much I would have to spend to get a big improvement. Obviously something like the cart Oli has bought would do it, but it is a tad pricey. It's all about making do, Kevin lol.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2020 21:16:53 GMT
I don’t think the wife would be too happy if I bought one, right now. If the FB Monos went, and I sold a couple of carts (I probably have too many) then I think something like that is in striking distance, but I am. It sure I can pull the trigger on a €2k cartridge that is only “slightly” better than what I have now. The money is probably better used elsewhere in my system.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 7, 2020 21:25:53 GMT
I don’t think the wife would be too happy if I bought one, right now. If the FB Monos went, and I sold a couple of carts (I probably have too many) then I think something like that is in striking distance, but I am. It sure I can pull the trigger on a €2k cartridge that is only “slightly” better than what I have now. The money is probably better used elsewhere in my system. Without sounding like a Cock...... I'd have bought this cart 18 months ago, I sincerely doubt it would feel like a worthwhile purchase as the system simply wouldnt have done it justice. It's a different story these days of course but I have been VERY lucky to land on the few pieces I've bought, especially for what I paid for them all.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2020 21:52:23 GMT
I think my system would do it justice, although I sometimes wonder if different (bigger) speakers would help sometimes.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 7, 2020 22:27:01 GMT
I think my system would do it justice, although I sometimes wonder if different (bigger) speakers would help sometimes. Well, there is only one way to find out! What's speakers are you using?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 2:43:27 GMT
Electric Beach FH3.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 7:43:59 GMT
The other thing is that having recently bought a top end MM cartridge (The AT20SLa) and a new stylus (ATN15SS) I am good for a few years. I am actually starting to think that if I move on some of my other cartridges, a €2k may be in reach, especially if I sell my amps. The problem is trying one out first to see if I think it is what I am looking for, and if it is good VFM.
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 8, 2020 9:08:10 GMT
Hmm ... for me, reading recent posts on this thread, alarm bells are clanging like crazy! Are you sure it's not just a case of "forum envy" and actually you are just fine with the carts you've got? I realise this sounds a bit strange coming from a box swapper like me, but not everyone has my form of crazyness. EDIT - and yeah, for £2k plus the sale of the EBs you can get a really good speaker upgrade! IMO.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 8, 2020 9:28:49 GMT
Hmm ... for me, reading recent posts on this thread, alarm bells are clanging like crazy! Are you sure it's not just a case of "forum envy" and actually you are just fine with the carts you've got? I realise this sounds a bit strange coming from a box swapper like me, but not everyone has my form of crazyness. EDIT - and yeah, for £2k plus the sale of the EBs you can get a really good speaker upgrade! IMO. I must agree here, In hindsight, the best money I've spend was on Amps and Speakers. Maybe upgrade those Frugal Horns first. And dont fall into the trap of upgrading for the sake of it. If you love your DIY cart, stick with it. Things you make yourself always sound better, even if they dont!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 9:47:27 GMT
Jerry, a valid question. I don’t think it is a case of forum envy, as my system is completely different to that of Oliver’s. It is more of a question of if it is worth me getting a €2k cartridge, and I am thinking that with the law of diminishing returns, probably not. The original plan was an ART-9, but Oli has got me thinking, but it is twice the cost, and probably not twice as good. But there is no guarantee I will like the ART-9, or the HA cartridge. My speakers work well in my current listening space and are suitably sized. I was not thinking of selling them. My recent change in amps has brought the level up a notch - (Jerry, you need to hear the Modulus 86 family. Really good amps in my opinion, but I have a lot less experience than you). It is my old amps that I am selling. The money from these amps, plus the funds I was allocating to a new cartridge puts me really close to the price point of the HA cartridge, but I am unsure I want to spend that much at the moment. This has all come from my wife asking what I want for my 50th. She has suggested something special, that I would not normally consider buying. As I have never spent more than €500 on a cartridge, the idea of a new cartridge fits the bill. I still have a few months before I need to decide, and there is a big risk that I will do nothing at all..... €1k already seems like a lot of money for a cartridge. I guess I am just unsure of what needs to be changed, if anything at all. I don’t have many friends who are into HiFi in the area, and the only other opinion I have of my system is from OldPinkMan, who thought that my system was nicely balanced, but that was before the amp change. Mrs OPM is a musician, and she liked the tone and balance of it too. I may just end up picking up another ATN20SS and be done with it.... When I retire (if I make it that far ) I am going to need some monster speakers to fill the listening space, or build a “shed” so that I can do what I like when I like as far as the volume goes. That is another reason I am hesitant to splash the cash. I take a while to make up my mind/justify these type of purchases. I could do a lot with €1k or €2k with my family.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 9:52:57 GMT
Hmm ... for me, reading recent posts on this thread, alarm bells are clanging like crazy! Are you sure it's not just a case of "forum envy" and actually you are just fine with the carts you've got? I realise this sounds a bit strange coming from a box swapper like me, but not everyone has my form of crazyness. EDIT - and yeah, for £2k plus the sale of the EBs you can get a really good speaker upgrade! IMO. I must agree here, In hindsight, the best money I've spend was on Amps and Speakers. Maybe upgrade those Frugal Horns first. And dont fall into the trap of upgrading for the sake of it. If you love your DIY cart, stick with it. Things you make yourself always sound better, even if they dont! The FH3 sound great though. I am not sure I can be bothered with the attitude of some of the HiFi dealers here in Toulouse. There is one that is interesting, but I would need to take my system with me, as they have nothing comparable. 50%+ of my system is “hand made”. Just listening to Fink - Bloom innocent streaming from Tidal HiFi and it sounds great. I don’t feel I am losing any bottom end as my MJ Acoustics Pro 50 covers this, but unless you know it is there, you would be none the wiser there is a sub in there.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 9:53:32 GMT
And all of that is the reason why I ask myself if it is worth making any changes to my system.
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 8, 2020 9:56:53 GMT
OK. Good stuff. My real "hifi fun" began when I retired, mind you I retired pretty early!
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Post by macca on Mar 8, 2020 9:58:23 GMT
Single driver rear loaded horn speakers have a distinctive sound. Unless you just upgrade to a similar speaker but bigger any other choice is going to be very different to what you have now. Not an easy jump to make unless you hate the FH3s which you clearly don't.
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Post by jimbo on Mar 8, 2020 9:58:57 GMT
The other thing is that having recently bought a top end MM cartridge (The AT20SLa) and a new stylus (ATN15SS) I am good for a few years. I am actually starting to think that if I move on some of my other cartridges, a €2k may be in reach, especially if I sell my amps. The problem is trying one out first to see if I think it is what I am looking for, and if it is good VFM. I think I would carry on using your current cartridges at the moment Kevin as they are both probably very good. I would only move on when either you have worn one out or funds have somehow become available to upgrade.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 10:24:49 GMT
If I use my current cartridges until they wear out, I may be either deaf or dead. I think I have too many... Here is a list. SAE1000LT Techne-Audio modified Denon DL-103 with Shibata stylus. Audio Technica AT33PTG/ii Audio Technica AT150mlx Technics EPC-205 with original and Jico Neo SAS stylus Technics EPC310MC with a Paratrace tip Audio Technica AT95 in a wooden body with standard or Shibata stylus shared with an AT-VM95 in a “Denon” aluminium body. Audio Technica AT20SLa with a NOS ATN15ss stylus as spare. All are in good condition, and the majority were bought 2nd hand at good prices. There are a couple of high end MMs, a couple of low end MMs, but no exceptional MCs, hence thinking about moving up the food chain. I would even consider of selling some of the old cartridges to fund the move up the ladder, as I don’t “need” them all....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 10:26:48 GMT
By the way, progress has been made as I now have less than 10.
I have sold: HANA SL 2M Black Nag MP-150 EPC-205 with generic stylus
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 8, 2020 10:33:10 GMT
Hmm, yes, bad, very bad. You NEED a high end MC cart. Definitely. Personally, I'd just flog the lot and go digital streaming. .... and buy your wife something really nice with the money saved.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 10:33:19 GMT
I think it is also a case of “ignorance is bliss”. If I hadn’t joined the forums, I would still be happy with my Arcam/Cyrus system.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2020 10:33:59 GMT
Hmm, yes, bad, very bad. You NEED a high end MC cart. Definitely. Personally, I'd just flog the lot and go digital streaming. I also have digital streaming with Tidal HiFi, and a home built music server with no moving parts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 6:39:55 GMT
Having slept on this, if I go for a cartridge, it is likely to be the ART9. I just can’t justify spending any more on something just for me.
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Post by jimbo on Mar 9, 2020 6:43:32 GMT
Having slept on this, if I go for a cartridge, it is likely to be the ART9. I just can’.t justify spending any more on something just for me. The Art 9 would also be on my wish list.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 6:49:52 GMT
It is either that, or a lovely Garrard 401 with SME 3009 I have spotted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 6:54:46 GMT
There is this one, which is dirt cheap, and I can ask my Brother in law to go and get it for me. link
Or this one, which is just up the road. link
Do I need another turntable? Probably as much as I need another cartridge....
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Post by jimbo on Mar 9, 2020 7:11:50 GMT
There is this one, which is dirt cheap, and I can ask my Brother in law to go and get it for me. link
Or this one, which is just up the road. link
Do I need another turntable? Probably as much as I need another cartridge.... The second 401 looks good and not bad price depending on what needs to be done but maybe a project? Although very different I think I would rather go for an SP10 having heard this turntable quite a lot recently. I have had a Garrard 301 and heard plenty of 401s. They are very good but I like the cool efficiency and absolute inert control the SP10 has. Just my thoughts..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 7:24:53 GMT
An SP-10 would be nice, but it is difficult to find one. I don’t think that my SL1200 will be too far behind one either. Sure the SP10 will be better.
The most likely outcome of all this, is that I do nothing as something else will crop up that needs the cash more than another “toy”.
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