OK so the Astatic MF-100 is now installed in my OL Silver II tonearm having flown across the pond and displaced my AT 150MLX. Import duty/Customs charges were a bit steep! Setup and installation was straight forward although the stylus tip is difficult to visualise on the alignment gauge. Tracking force is hyper-critical I think with this unit. 1.3g seems the best compromise and at this it tracks 3 out of 4 of the Hi-Fi news bias test tracks 100% with zero bias applied - test track 4 is a bit of a torture but this is still better than the AT 150 MLX which was pretty good and seems as good as the MusicMaker III. First impressions are very favourable. Presentation is very different to the AT 150MLX. Very neutral but still dynamic with great timing and poise. Bass is deep and tuneful, highs very detailed without being harsh and the midrange is sublime. More revealing than the AT 150MLX, more layers and fine "background" detail is audible. Perhaps biggest improvement is in the expression of voices - far more nuance and emotion than I have heard before. Before listening I was a bit worried it might sound a bit flat - previously I had an Ortofon Rohman bought unheard but on recommendation and I hated it - dull as dishwater but the MF-100 just seems to do everything right although very early days. My only "criticism/concern" is that it sits very low on the record and the slightest warp knocks on the base of the unit - at tracking weight of 1.5g (max) this was not uncommon - much less at 1.3g but still occurs. Not tried at 1.0g (min) as tracking fell off.
Anyway, a very pleasing first impression and I am sure it will get better the longer I listen. Thanks to Raul for his recommendation as otherwise I doubt I would have taken the plunge.
Steve
Anyway, a very pleasing first impression and I am sure it will get better the longer I listen. Thanks to Raul for his recommendation as otherwise I doubt I would have taken the plunge.
Steve