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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2019 18:47:58 GMT
I'm no vinyl expert. But I always liked the sound of the budget Audio Technica MM cartridge. The one with the green body, can't remember the model number now. S. AT-95e. It was my first proper cartridge, I’ve had a few since and they never fail to entertain. Are they still in production? S. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 14, 2019 18:52:29 GMT
AT-95e. It was my first proper cartridge, I’ve had a few since and they never fail to entertain. Are they still in production? S. Nope but there are NOS ones still available. This is the new range, www.the-ear.net/news/end-at95e-eraThe blue AT-110e was always a bit better than the 95 if you see one cheap. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 8:57:17 GMT
A lot of the problem with anything really is as you get up the price range, things become more focused on this perceived idea that the more detail there is, the better the piece of kit is. I'm thinking cartridges, Dacs and CD players. This seems to be the way most manufacturers go. Problem is, it becomes Too much and ruins the magic they have further down the range.
The Denon range just doesn't do it for me. I had the DLS1 and it was lean and edgy, no matter what I used it with. The 304 (gold body) is far superior but lacks a bit of bite.
At ART7 is a great cartridge and better than anything else I've heard made by them.
Zyx have great tone but they have a rosey warmth that I couldn't live with long term
For me, Ortofon of old, like the Jubilee, Kb, Vienna and to a degree the 2mBlack get the balance right although the 2mblack needs a better diamond to reveal its best qualities, FGS to be exact. I'd love an A95/A90 and highly doubt I'd view them in any other light than magnificent.
Ortofon are the only range I have not been disappointed with, once you start climbing the ladder.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 8:59:50 GMT
A lot of the problem with anything really is as you get up the price range, things become more focused on this perceived idea that the more detail there is, the better the piece of kit is. I'm thinking cartridges, Dacs and CD players. This seems to be the way most manufacturers go. Problem is, it becomes Too much and ruins the magic they have further down the range. The Denon range just doesn't do it for me. I had the DLS1 and it was lean and edgy, no matter what I used it with. The 304 (gold body) is far superior but lacks a bit of bite. At ART7 is a great cartridge and better than anything else I've heard made by them. Zyx have great tone but they have a rosey warmth that I couldn't live with long termFor me, Ortofon of old, like the Jubilee, Kb, Vienna and to a degree the 2mBlack get the balance right although the 2mblack needs a better diamond to reveal its best qualities, FGS to be exact. I'd love an A95/A90 and highly doubt I'd view them in any other light than magnificent. Ortofon are the only range I have not been disappointed with, once you start climbing the ladder. 'Rosy warmth' is about the last thing I'd accuse my R100 H 02 of, it's as incisive and fast as a Decca, with lucid clarity. No harshness though. |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 15, 2019 9:30:58 GMT
I loved the ZYX R100 I heard and again echo the 'tamed Decca' kind of 'tone' from it - this in an Notts Analogue deck and arm which always favoured Deccas. One possible issue with the VM95 cartridges (which apparently are a clear step up on the AT95e family for some vintage decks I'm kind of associated with is that the VM95's (great range of styli) and the related Goldring 'E' series (E3 is much loved by those who own them) all screw in from above. I believe the AT110E lives on spiritually in the VM520 model at £100 or so. My AT120E now tracks at 2g in the 530 and the once wild 440ML models have been refined into the VM540 which apparently betters the cheapest 700 model with metal mounting housing. Below a German reviews with proper measurements as well as soundbites www.lowbeats.de/test-audio-technica-vm95-6-mm-abtaster-bis-200-euro/ |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 9:58:09 GMT
A lot of the problem with anything really is as you get up the price range, things become more focused on this perceived idea that the more detail there is, the better the piece of kit is. I'm thinking cartridges, Dacs and CD players. This seems to be the way most manufacturers go. Problem is, it becomes Too much and ruins the magic they have further down the range. The Denon range just doesn't do it for me. I had the DLS1 and it was lean and edgy, no matter what I used it with. The 304 (gold body) is far superior but lacks a bit of bite. At ART7 is a great cartridge and better than anything else I've heard made by them. Zyx have great tone but they have a rosey warmth that I couldn't live with long termFor me, Ortofon of old, like the Jubilee, Kb, Vienna and to a degree the 2mBlack get the balance right although the 2mblack needs a better diamond to reveal its best qualities, FGS to be exact. I'd love an A95/A90 and highly doubt I'd view them in any other light than magnificent. Ortofon are the only range I have not been disappointed with, once you start climbing the ladder. 'Rosy warmth' is about the last thing I'd accuse my R100 H 02 of, it's as incisive and fast as a Decca, with lucid clarity. No harshness though. Sorry, should've been more specific. R50 bloom. The R100 didn't do it for me as it was comfortable bettered by the Lyra Clavis, Art7 and Kb but as we know, all opinions. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 10:24:04 GMT
'Rosy warmth' is about the last thing I'd accuse my R100 H 02 of, it's as incisive and fast as a Decca, with lucid clarity. No harshness though. Sorry, should've been more specific. R50 bloom. The R100 didn't do it for me as it was comfortable bettered by the Lyra Clavis, Art7 and Kb but as we know, all opinions. R100 or R100 H 02? They are different designs. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 10:35:24 GMT
Sorry, should've been more specific. R50 bloom. The R100 didn't do it for me as it was comfortable bettered by the Lyra Clavis, Art7 and Kb but as we know, all opinions. R100 or R100 H 02? They are different designs. It was the one Alan had, I couldn't be sure. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 11:11:51 GMT
I didn’t particularly like my 2M Black, so that put me off investigating the rest of the Ortofon range.
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Post by dsjr on Jul 15, 2019 11:17:44 GMT
Ortofon can design to a particular taste and I seem to remember the two? now ancient Kontrapunkt models sounding polar opposites of each other (Dino phono stage was most often used back then). One was 'analogue' and rather thick and sloppy, where the other (grey coloured one?) had life and some sparkle to it, as does the original recording. Neither cartridge were in an LP12 and I seem to remember both were in SME's (IV or V), one on a '10' turntable. I suspect the 2M Black may be deck-arm fussy as befits its price level (the old 540 was never that way and improved a Rega 3 ffs). I loved the 2M Bronze I set up. I'm rather fond of the now expensive Lyra's I've heard in recent months - lively I admit but sweet enough with it and very low surface noises and effects. Conversely, the Linn Krystal (Goldring made like the godawful Klyde) is truly dire and possibly that way to offer an 'update' on old spiteful Linn active systems that don't work with anything neutral analogue or digital...
Not much personal experience here, but the Hana models are well liked for both high and low output and much safer handling than the BPS models (almost every one sold was accidentally de-cantilevered by the new owner and numerous home insurances were utilised to finance a replacement...).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 11:46:06 GMT
I got through loads of cartridges till I settled on a VdH Frog Gold. I've had it for almost 15 years now (re-tipped ofc) and have never felt the need to try anything else.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 12:19:54 GMT
I didn’t particularly like my 2M Black, so that put me off investigating the rest of the Ortofon range. The standard 2m can be a bit harsh but if you stick a FGS on it, it's a different animal |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 15, 2019 13:09:05 GMT
FGS?
Since my bad eyes are sensitive to this*, I can't believe how many RB series tonearms I've seen spaced up to the max to get the bottom of the (tapered) pipe parallel to the record. This will usually add 'edge' to the sound of an otherwise lively cartridge. The centre-line of a Rega arm should be the reference so the arm looks slightly tail-down at the back.
Amazing how many cartridges sort themselves out once VTA is adjusted.
* I always used to set the arms slightly up at the back as it looked ok to me (I'm not alone even with 'straight' arm pipes it seems), but once this was pointed out and after I asked colleagues to check for me, I kind of knew then how to set the arm visually...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 17:38:10 GMT
I didn’t particularly like my 2M Black, so that put me off investigating the rest of the Ortofon range. The standard 2m can be a bit harsh but if you stick a FGS on it, it's a different animal So it’s no a 2M then?  Why why go to the expense of buying a 2M Black to have it modded to make it sound good. Just buy the good cartridge in the first l,ace. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 17:52:33 GMT
The standard 2m can be a bit harsh but if you stick a FGS on it, it's a different animal So it’s no a 2M then? Why why go to the expense of buying a 2M Black to have it modded to make it sound good. Just buy the good cartridge in the first l,ace. Haha, trouble is, that sound doesn't exist in another cartridge. That's why I'd look for an older worn 2m black and give it the treatment. I wouldn't go for new. |
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Post by sq225917 on Jul 15, 2019 18:21:55 GMT
Fritz Geiger stylus.
I'd be tempted to hear a Benz lps and the Lyra Etna.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 20:06:09 GMT
Fritz Geiger stylus. I'd be tempted to hear a Benz lps and the Lyra Etna. The one ortofon use as their replicant stylus is the one to go for. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2019 7:03:15 GMT
The replicant or FG?
So à Cadenza bronze, rather than black?
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2019 10:08:02 GMT
FGS?
Since my bad eyes are sensitive to this*, I can't believe how many RB series tonearms I've seen spaced up to the max to get the bottom of the (tapered) pipe parallel to the record. This will usually add 'edge' to the sound of an otherwise lively cartridge. The centre-line of a Rega arm should be the reference so the arm looks slightly tail-down at the back.
Amazing how many cartridges sort themselves out once VTA is adjusted.
* I always used to set the arms slightly up at the back as it looked ok to me (I'm not alone even with 'straight' arm pipes it seems), but once this was pointed out and after I asked colleagues to check for me, I kind of knew then how to set the arm visually...
Well I tried to get the bottom of the Rega arm level with the record when playing. I have received a FF Achromat today which I am pleased with, certainly improves clarity. Since reading your above comments I thought I'd try the Technics rubber matt underneath the achromat, the result was more edginess not less.  Looking at the arm now I would say it is slightly up at the back. I have an old Linn felt matt which I will dig out and give that a try under the achromat. |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 17, 2019 10:17:29 GMT
The bottom of the RB arm should appear to slope down slightly at the back and NEVER be level...
Techie mat underneath adding edginess? I can't dispute it but it is surprising...
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2019 11:04:33 GMT
Maybe edginess is the wrong word, certainly more high frequency. I'll give it another go with a different LP.
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Post by dsjr on Jul 17, 2019 11:27:28 GMT
You can fine tune VTA by 1/10th g either way. May work but may not depending on the cartridge. With a Karma/Troika, I was told by a Linn chap that 1/10g was equivalent to the diamond of 2mm at the tonearm pivots...
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2019 12:20:43 GMT
You can fine tune VTA by 1/10th g either way. May work but may not depending on the cartridge. With a Karma/Troika, I was told by a Linn chap that 1/10g was equivalent to the diamond of 2mm at the tonearm pivots... Errr.....VTF  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2019 12:26:20 GMT
Mats really do matter. I like the OL mats with metal platters but we have quite different tastes so I dunno if it would suit you. I could send you mine to try if you like. Just return when you’ve listened. If you like it, they are £39 new, so not that much.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 12:50:03 GMT
They do. I have a nice one just inside the front door that says 'Bugger Off'!  |
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2019 13:15:10 GMT
Mats really do matter. I like the OL mats with metal platters but we have quite different tastes so I dunno if it would suit you. I could send you mine to try if you like. Just return when you’ve listened. If you like it, they are £39 new, so not that much. Nice offer Westie but I'll leave it for now thanks. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 13:22:56 GMT
The replicant or FG? So à Cadenza bronze, rather than black? Replicant The Black is different internally to the Bronze I believe. |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 17, 2019 13:25:06 GMT
You can fine tune VTA by 1/10th g either way. May work but may not depending on the cartridge. With a Karma/Troika, I was told by a Linn chap that 1/10g was equivalent to the diamond of 2mm at the tonearm pivots... Errr.....VTF Errr...... I said VTA.
Think of the leverage of a typical cantilever. Add 1/10g to the downforce (VTF) and the cantilever will be slightly more deflected on its hinge-suspension, thereby altering VTA just a tad. The higher the compliance of the suspension, the more deflection will be seen by the diamond and with a Decca, no difference whatsoever |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2019 14:23:46 GMT
Errr.....VTF Errr...... I said VTA. Think of the leverage of a typical cantilever. Add 1/10g to the downforce (VTF) and the cantilever will be slightly more deflected on its hinge-suspension, thereby altering VTA just a tad. The higher the compliance of the suspension, the more deflection will be seen by the diamond and with a Decca, no difference whatsoever Yes but didn’t you meant VTF? You’re adding 1/10th downforce. Edit: I think I get what you’re saying, but isn’t that an arse about tit way of adjusting VTA? I take it you mean applying more or less downforce will affect the suspension and therefore the angle at which the stylus meets the groove? It will alter other parameters too, so why not just alter arm pillar height? Sorry if I’m missing something here. |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 17, 2019 15:03:32 GMT
Rega arms have no easy pillar height adjustment sadly unlike more expensive tonearms and adding spacers never really did it for me, all else being equal. NAS decks had an easy collet fixing for these arms, gripping the pillar firmly almost all round (allen key acting on the collet rather than the pillar to close it up around the pillar) and this made VTA via the pillar very easy indeed. I think they've now gone back to a fully round hole with an allen screw to lock it which works but not as 'nicely' imo.
Re arms, the Jelco-for-Linn 250 arm isn't so pricey these days I wonder if anyone will try it away from the LP12?
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Looking at the arm now I would say it is slightly up at the back. I have an old Linn felt matt which I will dig out and give that a try under the achromat.
