Glanz moving magnet cartridges

Hi Nandric,

I think you can put away your guns: for now ;~)

As always...

A curse on your house also Vetterone.
You can join your merry friends in your mutual 'gloat-fest'.
So far...the only friend I have amongst you is Dgob. But that is yet to be proven?
And to think I thought Slavs would stick together?!

Of course you could go a buy a Vestax cartridge, a Glanz in drag produced by Mitachi. Mitachi, one of the largest manufacturers for tonearms and cartridges, . specialized for 30 years in this product area and also developed into a major supplier for Technics, Yamaha, Hitachi, Denon, Pioneer, Sony, JVC and Onkyo.

Good day citizen Nandric,
Thank you for your most generous offer but why would I want your G5 when I have the amazing MFG61? New in the original box so no need for a second box, but again, thanks.
Seriously though, I would enjoy doing a comparison and will keep looking for a G5/7. The things you describe hearing from your G5 could easily describe what I hear from the six one. I do own the majority of the "flavor of the week" MM carts so I have some fine carts with which to compare. I also have the Lyra Atlas, Olympos and several other very special MC carts. The six one is indeed special in the best possible way.

This is why the Irish wish for the wind to be at their backs. That way, the balls don't usually drop off.

Dear Dgob, As a imperturbable English gentleman who speak
real English will you be so kind to explain to me what this
outburst from our Aussie friend means? Is he threaten us,
teasing us or is he making jokes about us? We the Serbian
warriors need to know the real intentions in order to react
in an adequate way. That is to say: we like teasing and jokes
but if whoever dare to threaten us there is no other way than
to start a war.

Kind regards,

Hi Halcro,

I hope to be listening to great music when those outcomes manifest:)

If I see another one come up before you do, I will let you know.

As always...

Damn you guys!
May your coils boil and your needles spread eagle.
May your gloating visages freeze in the changing winds and may your balls drop off!

Hi Nandric,

I am really, really pleased that you also now own this gem. I cannot say just how much I still believe the G5 will reward you in the days ahead.

It's also great to have another tonearm (the FR-64 S)through which I can compare its performance. I look forward to swapping notes and impressions.

As always...

Dear Dgob, I am so excited with my Glanz 5 that I want
to say something about this cart despite the fact that
I am far from the needed 'break-in' time. Just 4 hours of
listening. An important part of my excitement consist
of the fact that I surpassed Vetteron's MFG 61 for which I
actually searched all this time. But I am willing
to exchange this treasure for one of his best plinths.
Anyway the cart is unbelievable dynamic, more so than my
previous 'dynamic champion' Miyabi Standard. As if the
orchestra and artist are in your listening room. The first
cart by which one can't reach the volume by which the sound
level become unbearable. Like by an real concert. The timbre
is different from all other carts I own. I will need to
accomodate to this novelty. The cart is much lighter than my
FR-7 and has its stylus at exactly the same position as the FR-7 .
But I don't believe that either is meant as Bearwald because
they 'refuse' to follow my Mint LP protractor's curve which
is made for my FR-64 S according to the Bearwald geometry.
So I need to try the original Ikeda's 'prescription'
and move the FR-64 to 230 mm pivot-spindle distance. This is
the most difficult adjustment I know off. But well exciting.
You see: excitment all the way.

Regards,

Hi All,

At 33,000 readers, I hope this thread inspires others among you to explore the G5 and G7 cartridges. I know that one amongst our numbers now has the former and I look forward to hearing his impressions once set-up and run in optimisation has been achieved. Either way, it will be good to have company.

As always...

Dear Professor& Dgob, The marking of the resp. models is on
the stylus by both: Glanz and Astatic. This may mean that
the corpus (body) or the 'generator' is the same at least by
the first three in the row. Considering the fact that
the styli are not 'astonishing' (Shibata by Astatic,line
contact by Glanz) the only explanation for their sound
difference 'must' be the cantilever. I am most intriqued
by Vetteron's 61. If he wants me to believe him he need to
post to me some pictures(grin). My, uh,'Italian connection'
is the proud owner of the box only. If Vetterone needs the
box I will be happy to ask my Italian friend for the 'treasure'.
Regards,

Hi Timeltel,

Thanks for the link, it fits well into these sources: http://www.vinylengine.com/search_results.php?cx=partner-pub-3664363573068202%3Aic4isxra6dt&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Glanz&sa=Search.

Have you seen any of the models going? I believe the MFG 71L is the closest to the G7 - with only slightly lower performance statistics. I'd be interested in hearing anyone's view on its performance. As I think I've said, the G7 seems to me to be at the pinnacle of MM/MI technology and must still be (or will at some point 'become') available. I'm keen to hear the response when someone else lays their hands and then ears on one.

As always...

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/glanz/mf-series.shtml

Peace,

Halcro, I can be of help if you still need the 155Lc.
Send me a pm at audpulse@aol.com.

Hi Nandric,

:~). I appreciate the point but I really do believe that all the noted components will come up for sale in the future. Every item that I have sought I have managed to obtain sooner or later (MC's obviously withstanding, as I am about to become manic in a whole new way!)

If I come across them before you do, I will drop you a line.

As always...

Hi All,

Sorry but one final(ish) word of reflection on the above themes.

My reference to the greater refinement of the Technics set up over the Glanz one, can be 'partially' understood in the light of the notable distinctions in (Technics 1.2 mv/Glanz 4.2 mv) their output voltage.

When I note that apparently heightened refinement a better way of appreciating what I am trying to get at might also be to follow the Martin Colloms assessment in light of a perspective obtained from 'distinct seating positions in the same venue'. The Glanz is more front row perspective and the Technics more mid-stalls.

I have already suggested the importance of venue differentiations and some relevant literature (on Raul's MM/MI thread) when assessing component performance and their proximity to a "real life musical performance". These two options bring that distinction and the supporting literature into startling relief. In that perspective the Glanz might be seen as offering the perspective more of a stage side table in your favourite jazz bar compared to the Technics offering more of a back of hall perspective in a large and more acoustically treated hall. Both unbelievably great. And both with my sincerest recommendation.

As always...

Dear Dgob, Your description of both of your 'love affairs'
is writen in prose but reads like a poem. The problem, or what looks like a problem is that neither of those carts is available to us, the 'mere mortals' as Henry would say.
This however is a typical pragmatic consideration in which a Dutchman would be very interested.
The other people with a more romantic inclination, like some Serbians would ask different kind of questions with no practical sense whatever.
To give you one exampel. According to Marlon Brando the most questions he got were about:' deed you do it with Marlyn Monroe and if so HOW WAS SHE?
Considering the fact that your 'poem' is about two carts would you be so kind to give us some other name for the comparison sake?

Regards,

Hi All,

On the performance of the Morch/Technics, I recalled a conversation with Raul where he asked me: "In the other side: why do you think the 100CMK4 performs fine only in that tonearm?"

My response read:

"Hi Raul,

I don't know if it's because that is the only option I have which does not need additional (headshell) wire connectors, no seperate headshell or some other feature(s) but the detail and balance that I acquire with the Morch/100Mk4 combination far exceeds the other options that I've tried. It just seems near perfect (especially concering detail retrieval and timbral accuracy). A good example would be the fantastic aspects (cymbals, percussion etc) that you get from the Andante P76, the transient speed you get from say the XV1s and the midrange texture you get from the 1000 ZE/X plus a detailed and unbloomed bass. I can get aspects of these from the 100Mk4 with other tonearm and headshell combinations but not all of them in any other single combination. Indeed, I have apparently convinced Jonathan Carr to try this combination for himself and I do hope he likes it as much as I do. If you haven't got around to giving it a go, I would value your view on the combination."

I think that points you in the general direction of the performance to which I have referred above and I hope it can stand by way of a proper review.

As always...

Hi All,

Well I just completed the revamp of my Morch DP6 Precision red point (with the kind help from Hans Moerch) and have now played it in its platonic partnership with my Axelised Technics EPC P100C MkIV.

In setting up, I spent a good time ensuring alignment. This resulted in my discarding the Morch 18mm template and adopting the Feikert (Baerwald) protractor for pivot-spindle mounting distance; overhang; effective length; angular offset and linear offset. It then involved ensuring absolute accuracy in azimuth setting of the cartridge by adjustments of the Morch using its hexagonal screw adjuster: this seems important as the P-mount Technics needs to account for its mounting adaptor and potential idiosyncracies. My adaptor follows Raul's recommendation and has had the original pins removed so that the silver lugs on my Morch connect directly to the pins on the Technics. VTF was set at 1.255g and VRA parallel to around 1 degree positive: for all intents and purpose, that's parallel. A spot of SC-2 high technology stylus cleaning fluid on a stylus brush followed by a quick clean of the cartridge tip. Then use the Entos carbon record brush and I was set to go.

I played records with the Essential in mute for ten hours and then turned it on and sat back. Wow, wow and WOW!!! I do not believe analogue reproduced sound can get any better than this. Every detail, every nuance, ever emotion laid bare right before my eyes-hears. The length of strengths are so extensive that I do not believe I could do them justice in anything less than a four page eulogy and I am not inclined (even 'if' capable) to give such an extended and largely personal account. Suffice it to say, I could find NO weakness in the performance of this Morch/Technics combination and would hope other combinations enable everyone to share the shear exhilaration and pleasure that they now afford me. Magnifincent.

The question is: how does that leave my Glanz G7/Audio Craft AC3300 LB combination? The answer is that this combination gives the same presentation except with a smidgen less refinement. Please do not get this wrong. I still find this combination wholly convincing but the two combinations seeem to display different aesthetic objectives and aims of their design teams. Think same music in two acoustically very distinct venues and you're nearly there. I am finished in my search for a life-long MM/MI/MF collection and the Glanz and Technics are my point of arrival.

Now my search turns to their equivalents for my final MC selections. Fun times ahead.

As always...

Hi Halcro,

Sad to hear the bad news regarding your quest. I am certain there is a way around this however. If you have a friend (or A'gon associate) in America, I am certain that you could arrange for them to receive and pass it on to you!

Good luck

As always...

Oh oh.......just received a full refund from StereoNeedles for my PayPal payment for the 155Lc stylus.
Seems that Paypal won't allow them to send merchandise outside the USA even though they process the payment?
Strange.......out of the hundreds of International PayPal transactions I have conducted over the years........and to every man and his dog on EBay who has no such restrictions......StereoNeedles are the exception?
Back to square one........there is no source for 155Lc styli outside of the continental USA?

Hi Nandric,

"Dear Dgob, We will return to your 'thematics' as soon as anyone succeed to find any of those misterious Glanz carts."

Totally acceptable by me and no sarcasm intended in my response to Timeltel. Just reading it back I can see how I might have lent to that impression.

As always...

Dear Henry, You are right: in comparison with our Professor
we are 'mere mortals'. He just 'explained' to me how 'simpel' the nomenclature of AT and Signet cart is????
This reminds me of my best friend at high school who try
to convince me that mathematics is 'actually' very simpel. He had obviously no idea how insulting this opinion of his was for me. This measerable postfix 'Ea' to which I pay no
attention whatever means that I bought the worst and the oldest model 7. My euphoria as expressed with: 'My gosh I at last got one' was obviously premature. The drama is even worst because there is no way to improve the situation with the 155 LC implant which I would get for free from a friend from a developing , but big country.
Regarding my former , former Yugoslavia there is a huge comfort in the fact that only few people are architect. This kind of human kind admire only their own work and are in particular never satisfy with the work of their colleauque. As I undertand there is some kind of nostaligia for the former Yugoslavia such that a horde of Slovenian and even those damn Croats travel to Beograd for the booze (the best Sliwowitz there is) and the folk music. Nobody care about the buildings if those are not own property.

Dear Dgob, We will return to your 'thematics' as soon as anyone succeed to find any of those misterious Glanz carts.

Regards,

Dear Nikola,
My 'Slavic' friend......perhaps I was dreaming of the Baltic?
I was not impressed with Belgrade when I was there 40 years ago.....and in a Skopje campsite (I know it's really Macedonia but then.....everything was Yugoslavia!) on the toilet wall was written...."If the world were shaped like an elephant, then Skopje would be the a..hole".

Our friendly Professor has confirmed my thoughts...and at the same time....'invented' another friendship 'test'!!!?
To clarify his 'gospel' a little further.......when I purchased my NOS Signet TK-7Ea....it came complete with the No.2 and No.3 Signet stylus assemblies.
With the No.2 inserted ( as I understood it)....you had the standard 7Ea whilst with the No.3...you had a TK-7SU (Shibata profile).
This is Audiofeil's favourite cartridge according to his postings?
There was another Signet stylus assembly (which I have never seen but the Professor actually owns).....with a Line Contact diamond which....when inserted.....transforms the 7 into the TK-7LCa (the Professor's favourite cartridge).
The 155Lc is the closest we mere mortals can come to this behemoth and in my book.......it is pure bouillabaisse!

Regards

Timeltel,

"Now, out of respect for Dgob shall we return to the discussion".

Don't mind me.

As always...

Regards, Nandric: Audio Technica nomenclature is simple. Almost. In the instance of the TK(x) carts, the first production might be called "big-block" carts, they are most easily described as rectangular. This would include the TK7E (elliptical) and TK7SU (Shibata). Any revisions would have the added "a" after the designation, think "Mk 11". The TK(x)a carts are on the AT120 design, one that continues with the contemporary AT150MLX, 7V and 150ANV.

If you go to: http://www.turntableneedles.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA_c_25165.html and scroll to near the bottom of the page, you'll find the styli for both the TK7LCa and just beneath it, the TKN22 for the earlier design. Click on the image & then hover the arrow over the pictured stylus & it'll rotate. A really useful feature.

Pay attention to the "plug", the feature that inserts into the "socket" at the bottom of the generator. The early iterations have a round plug, the later design is rectangular. They are not cross compatible. Also, the bottom of the generator is angled, there are differences here, too. Other considerations can usually be overcome by a determined man wielding a hobby knife.

If your cart looks like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-SIGNET-TK7LCA-CART-GENUINE-AUDIO-TECHNICA-SIGNET-TKN7EA-STYLUS-/160876230864?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item2574f878d0

then you & Henry can resume negotiations.
Peace,

Dear Professor, I already mentioned your remarcable memory
but if we see you as an encyclopedia you will get more emails than you can probable manage. I thought that those post fix markers like E, CL, EA, etc. refer to the stylus
kind or shape. The marker 'SU' by Signet 7 is different in
this context and I have no idea too what this marker refers. But there is obivously some disagreement between you and Henry because he uses the 155 cl as 'implant' also for this cart. I assume that the corpus or the body or the generator of the 7E and the 7SU are the same. So if the 155 cl is not suitable for my 7E why well for the 7SU? Regarding the headshells I have a specific problem. I hate to pay too much for those. There are those magnesium headshells made by Jelco (?) and sold under different names for about $50
(40 GBP on ebay.uk). To me those are 'perfect' headshells with good wiring and azimuth provisiom and +/-13 g. I bought 4 of those and own ,consequently, also 4 specimens of 'something' like my friend Henry. With the headshells from my (2x) FR 64 + Lustre 801 this means 7 (preadjusted) carts and many combinations possibilities. If I was as good in math. as Henry I would mention some numbers but alas. Anyway I don't need 'too many' of those.

Regards,

Regards, Nandric: Nikola, apparently Henry holds you in such high esteem he wishes to spare you the frustration of finding the "E" and "Ea" styli are of different geometries.

If I remember correctly, the TK1Ea and TK3Ea were of lower inductance, 490 ohm. This may indicate, perhaps, a cantilever resonance with the .3 x .7 TKN3Ea stylus that the lower inductance moves out of the audible range. Boron, beryllium or "ruby" cantilevers also have this influence on audible resonance. The TK9/10 at 550 ohm, the TK7Ea/LCa at 580 ohm. Excepting the TK10ML, the TK7LCA provides the best specs in channel balance and separation, exceeding even that of our TK9LC. 33 dB separation/0.5dB balance as compared to 30dB/.75. For the TK10 ML, separation at 35dB, bal. within 0.5dB.

Apologies to Dgob for the previous thread drift but it might be observed that the TK1E (no "a") and the TK1Ea are both extremely "plasticy" carts. Plastic contributes to resonance and these carts may do best on a low mass arm where diminished rigidity permits the line transference of that resonance into the arm.

The TK3/5E & TK7E/SU, Signet states, were "listener tuned" to what we must remember were audio sensitivities which might be referred to as a "70's sound", more organic in their voicing. The relatively large cavities surrounding both the cart's generator and stylus grip have to be considered as, to some degree, contributing influences in the voicing of these examples.

Moving the discussion closer to previous topics, for the Acutex carts the Saturn V graphite integrated headshell is adjustable for both overhang and azimuth. Lacking Raul's immediate grasp of the subtle, I've not listened to it enough to be able to say more than it does make a difference in reducing the "microphony" of the Acutex carts.

Nikola, the Ortofon LH-8000 Japanese oak headshell dampens the intentionally(?) resonant qualities of the TK7E/SU without diminishing it's other attractive qualities. Henry has recently mentioned this headshell. As evidence of your great friendship, perhaps you might have more success in anticipating he'll send you the headshell (which you should appreciate in conjunction with your TK7E) rather than a stylus which for your application is incorrect?

Now, out of respect for Dgob shall we return to the discussion of, um, was it broccoli & pate?

Peace,

Dear Henry, 'our Baltic friend'? I thought that you and I are Slavic brothers. If however you confuse Balkans with the Slavic people there with the Baltic people than I can quess what kind of student you was. But you become architect so you abviously passed your college somehow. I myself passed math. because my dad was bank director while my math. theacher needed some loan. So no blame is intended. Regarding the carts involved. The TK 9 stylus is totally different than those of the 'lower ranking' ( pace Raul) but of those 'lower kind' all can be improved with 'your' 155 cl I think. The postfix 'E' by my Signet 7 means 'elliptical'. What 'Ea' means I have no idea but am sure that 155 cl will fit all 'lower kinds'. BTW there are no 'frindship challenges' but well jokes from both sides and even from 'some' third party with philosophical contribution of Aristoteles.

Regards,

Dear Banquo,
I have one 155Lc on the TK-3Ea and one on the TK-5Ea and one on the TK-7Ea as well as one on the AM-10s (on the Professor's advice).
Whist both the 3 and the 5 are improved with this transplant......the bigger bang I think.....because it is a more refined cartridge anyway.....is the 5.

Now the good news for our Baltic friend......is that he has no requirement for the 155Lc as I don't believe it fits in the TK-7E......only the TK-7Ea?
The Professor will surely correct me if that is not so?
The 'friendship challenge' remains on hold awaiting such confirmation? :~}

Dear Banquo, While I am not able to understand the Dutch
preference for silence I do understand their income policy.
To put it short: those who have 'more' pay for those who
have 'less'. This is the same as the 'transfer' of a part
of welth to the less fortunate. I don't believe that this
policy is based on Aristotle because he also wrote some
other 'ethical' prescriptions: 'how should we treat our
slaves'. It is of course possible that he had a friend
among his slaves but this 'onother self' is difficult to imagine as being glad to be slave for the sake of his friend. While Aristotle was the 'father' of logic he was obviously confused about the identity relationship: even the twins are not identical persons. The 'onother self' invention will not do as a quide for the income distribution.
Henry's position reg. this question is the best illustration why the income police can't be based on 'onother self' but must be 'prescribed' by the state.
But more relevant for this thread is this. I own the Signet
9 cl as well as the 7e. The Signet 9cl is the most beautiful cart I have ever seen with a stylus which looks much more impressive than the one of his 'little brother' 7e. So the preference for the 7 x by Henry needs some correction in the sense of the identity question: is the 7 (whatever) with 155cl 'implant' the same object as the sincere one?
We are often seduced by our 'honourable' members to buy the
carts they recommend but without any idea about the implication. Say, one just got the 7 (whatever) for a considerable amount of money and than discovere that he need to add the 155 cl stylus. I have seen one on ebay.com and thought that +/-$240 was for the 'whole cart' but, alas, only the stylus was listed. So my idea was that those 4 by Henry are not only 'abundant' but also second hand...

Regards,

the requirements of friendship and justice are different but in this case, Halcro, they seem to coincide? 5 155lc (sic!--you must really like it) styli for you and none for Nikola, if it comes to transpire, seems at once an affront to justice and a failure of that sympathy constitutive of friendship.

On the other hand, Nikola should appreciate that a friend is, as Aristotle noted, 'another self', and thus when you enjoy your 5 (sic!) 155lc's, it is as if he is enjoying it as well--even though he has none.

On a more serious note, I bought my 155lc because of your rave way back when. Are you using it with the signet 3ea or 5ea cart or, I suppose, both? I have both carts so I can try either, but would like your input as to which is preferred. Or is this a case of broccoli vs foie gras?

Thank you Banquo,
In the past I seem to remember that StereoNeedles only accepted payment via direct Bank Transfer...and I was not prepared to pay the bank's fees for this plus have no Buyer's Protection to boot?
I just used your link to buy the 155Lc and they now accept PayPal.....so it's done?!
My dilemma now is......should I send Nikola one of my 155Lc stylus assemblies for being a good friend?......or teach him a lesson for 'begging' and not being prepared himself....to fork out for a NOS one?
Should I?.....shouldn't I?......

Dear Banquo, I was glad to hear that Henry agrees with
me about the silence. While I put my question about those
155 lc styli in a conditional form his answer was such that
I don't believe that we agree about what friendship means.
You however made clear to know what friendship means so
I hope that Henry agrees with you. Anyway his argument is
demolished by yours. BTW thanks for the support. The
fact that those styli are available 'here' is something different:
I don't expect such a price from a friend.

Regards,

the 155lc stylus is still available here. That's where I bought mine. Since it's still ready-to-hand, you can go ahead and give one of yours to Nandric, Henry :).

Dear Nikola,
I have travelled through Holland and have met a few Dutch people in Australia and elsewhere.
I am not like the Dutch........
I would like to give you one of my 155Lc styli.......but since there is no further source for them.......and they are my favourite assemblies bar none.....I must unfortunately demonstrate my selfish side?
All 4 styli are currently employed on active duty in Signet cartridges.
But........I suspect that Axel's nude line contact styli would be very similar?
It's worth a try?

Dear Henry, The Dutch are very fond of silence in the sense of enjoyment. After more than 40 years in this country I still have no idea what they enjoy. But if you are like the Dutch you should enjoy the silence at present.
I hope that this kind of enjoyment is not addictive???However if this become true I am interested in those '155 cl' styli; all 4 of them.

Regards,

Dear Raul,
Good to see you also have a sense of humour?
At the moment.....because of the lack of a preamp.......no distortions of any kind for me?!

CALAMARI?

Only off a silver plate Herr Professor!

Regards, Halcro: Now I'm being advised by someone who eats---

CALAMARI?

Peace,

but brocoli certainly is not a phono cartridge and needs no accurate/precise alignment/set up.

Tell that to Alain Passard who owns a 3 Michelin star vegetarian restaurant.

Dear Halcro: I like your ironic or I have to say " humor sense "?, but brocoli certainly is not a phono cartridge and needs no accurate/precise alignment/set up.

I know perfectly what you like and are hearing and I respect about.

As any one of us our each one audio system overall set up was made it and is working according what each one of us like it not what other persons like. I know that you are enjoying your distortions in the same way is a pleasure to hear mines..

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Professor,
The reason you don’t like broccoli has nothing to do with the quality of broccoli per se….for I know it very well and it is a fine food product.
The reasons perhaps you don’t know it……but your crockery, cutlery and dining table are not allowing you to taste the ‘real’ broccoli?
You insist on using Rosenthal plates with the raised outer rims which simply don’t allow for the broccoli to be brought ‘level’ to the edge of the plate. This brings ‘distortions’ to the ‘cutting’ of the broccoli which I’m sure you understand the consequences?
Also china plates simply don’t compare to the quality of real ‘silver’ plates in matching the ‘neutral’ taste of the furry ends?
Also your knives….which I know very well as I had them in my dining room for several weeks……..are serrated instead of being highly sharpened and smooth? You should know that these ‘serrations’ are introducing ‘distortions’….which you may love….but which are not true to the real broccoli tastings?
Your dining table…which I have seen and tested in various Ikea showrooms….is wooden and NOT extendable!
Tell me how….how is it possible….to accurately place the position of the plate with the broccoli on it, in relation to your seating position….if you can’t extend the table?
Have you tried eating broccoli off a polished stone table? You should try it? You have nothing to lose…only to gain whereby you can enjoy the true flavour of this wonderful vegetable?

But how can I help you?
You love those baseless food products like lobster, caviar and oysters which are so full of ‘distorted’ flavours that I sold all my leftover caviar to a travelling band of Mariachi musicians.
Oh yes…..you love the ‘wow’ factor when the caviar ‘pops’ in the mouth and the oysters slide down your throat….but what has got to do with the ‘real’ taste of those top foods like zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli?
And I know the accurate taste of the offal…..liver, heart, kidney and brains….you also don’t like?

Please don’t take this the wrong way Professor?
I have trained myself over the years to appreciate the ‘accuracy’ of boiled vegetables…the ‘Kings of Food Produce’…over the distorted exaggerated taste sensations of steak, bacon and duck….and don’t get me started on Asian cuisine?
But anyone can do this ‘training of the palate’ if you practice hard enough and use the right crockery, cutlery and table?

Regards and enjoy the repast,

Dear Timeltel: ++++ " I'm sure Raul is unaware of this. " ++++

Somewhere exist the posts between Halcro and me. In one of them I stated that the only reason whay the 20SS could have a poor performance were because out of specs or after market stylus, he stated that was not ( if I remember?? ).

+++++ " The other mentioned carts: The TK-10 is 2.2mv output & not all phono stages have a MM section with a compatible input sensitivity...... " +++++

I think sometimes you read my post maybe to fast, or you don't really understand it or I'm to bad to self explain.
Timeltel when I say that I know Halcro electromics first than all I'm not refering to Halcro his self but Halcro electronics and when I say " I know " it is because I know it first hand for several time.

Things are ( I posted several times. ) that my friend and co-designer in our tonearm owns Halcro electronics and almost all the cartridges I bougth/buy he did/do it too.

The Azden and 420 were no exeption and my TK10 sample was auditioned in those Halcro elecvtronics WITN OUT ANY SINGLE PROBLEM ABOUT.

I'm truly responsable on what I post always and I try never " talk lightly " as any one could think.

I hope this time I was clear about.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Regards, Nandric: Relating to the AT20SS, Henry and I were in communication at the time, he and had both found the 20SS carts. Both of our carts were supplied with generic styli. There was little commendable about the performance. Based on the evidence on hand, Henry elected to sell his. I'm sure Raul is unaware of this.

The other mentioned carts: The TK-10 is 2.2mv output & not all phono stages have a MM section with a compatible input sensitivity. And the Acutex 420, a microphone masquerading as a cartridge.

If we are to touch on my (still) favorite cart, the TK7LCa, it is one of several capable of provide long-term listening without listener's fatigue. An instance of what it doesn't do wrong is more important (to me) than the very short list of it's faults. Using the provided criteria of evaluation, criticisms of the cart are few.

At a certain level of quality of construction I find any attempt to label a specific cart as "best" becomes less useful. Inductance, output, the manner in which self-resonance is dealt with, cantilever and stylus each contribute to a carts' voicing, then there's the tonearm and other downstream gear. I'm not disturbed if others choose to define response that falls outside of narrowly defined parameters as "distortion", which I remind myself is a scientific term relating to measurable phenomena. I prefer to think in terms of "character".

Music in our sometimes passionate observance is served on a platter. Chefs, mastering engineers, recipes and kitchens all have their individual characteristics. A gourmet will base his evaluation of a preparation exclusively on it's condition as it left the chef. Many of the recordings available to me don't meet those lofty five-star standards. A little "seasoning" will sometimes improve the presentation to this listener's audio palate.

Nikola, enjoy your "cart swapping" experience. Hopefully you'll find several that meet or exceed your expectations. Which is "Il Ultimo" is yours to select.

As to carts, I can state with absolute certainty that I don't like broccoli. Those who do are entitled to their opinion.

Peace,

Dear Raul, You are allowed to 'touch' both my systems as
you like but not my Aussie friend. He owns + 20 MM carts,
wants to 'switch over' to the real music as soon as possible and is also not known as a patient person. Well I know for sure that by all NOS carts the patience is a necessary condition for at least 30 hours 'burn in' time or , which is the same, to allow the suspension to 'accommodate'. It would be cruel to ask or expect such patience from Henry. This than is the obvious explanation for his 'refusal' to mess with AT 20SS or the highest ranked Signet. One also need to add Herr Professor as an added reason...

Regards,

Dear Nandric: clairvoyant?, certainly not only experienced about as exist some other persons with even and better audio personal qualities that mines.

From your main system I know very well: TT/Triplanar/Ruby 3 and the Reed. I know too your electronics and better yet your phono stage design ( I don't know if was the 2010. )and your good speakers, so I have a tiny idea about.
I don't want to go deeper on your system subject because that could be useles. Btw, I saw your ad on the Virtuoso: do you already sold it?, good luck.

++++ " on quess work about
my or Henry's 'system'. " ++++

no it is not a guess, all what I know about system components on several audio systems are complemented with what the people posted through several and different threads, normally I never speak if I don't have the " hair in my hands ".

Let me put one example now that you name it Halcro:

he sold it his 20SS and TK10ML cartridges, both top of the line models.
Till today, including me, I never read or saw any single " sign " for no single person everywhere where the owner of those cartridges was unsatisfied with its high quality performance levels.
Halcro does not like it neither so other that both cartridges were faulty what that could means: that Halcro is right ( both cartridges are inferior performers. ) and all several owners ( hundreds. ) are wrong?.
Could be but I seriously doubt about.

I know that when some body " touch " our each one beloved audio system we react against that " touch " but this is not my target with any one of you and never is with any one through the net. I try to help and try that we can understand today or in 5 years from now what in reality we are talking about and the importance to have or to improve the system resolution and that's all.

Stay calm, no bad feelings. An apolize to you and Halcro if both could think I want to hurt both of you because it is not that way.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Raul, you must be also clairvoyant because you
are obviously capable to judge my 'system' without any knowledge
about the components involved. Besides I own
two systems so I should ask to which one are your referring?
My living room system consist of Kuzma Stabi Reference with
Triplanar VII / Benz Ruby 3s and the Reed 2A / Krell 100
(aka Miyabi Standard). The amp is ASR Emitter II Exclusive , the phono-pre Basis Exclusive (2010 model) and Usher BE 20 speakers. My second system is more modest but there I have two tonearms with detachable headshells such that I can test carts in a easy way. The TT is Sp 10 mkII with your SAEC mat , the amp. is the Maranz PM 8000 ,the phono-pre Jasmin LP2 and the speakers Jamo Concert 8. On this system I was not able to hear much difference between my both Virtuoso's but well the difference between this 'American' Miyabi and all other carts. That is the reason that this cart is 'promoted' to the Reed 2A and substituted the Phase Tech P 3 G which is also an exceptional cart. This means to me that one can hear or 'detect' an exceptional cart also in a modest system. I am in this hobby for more than 40 years and think to know what is important and what not but also willing to learn. But I prefer your advice based on listing to your own system than your advice based on quess work about
my or Henry's 'system'. BTW both of us are testing all those MM carts in order to select the best one and 'promote' them to the main system. Ie we are not testing those carts as a separate hobby.

Regards,

Halcro: S3 headshells?: mainly!!!!, no-azymuth adjustment and a pain to align the cantilever.

R.

Dear Halcro: +++++ " Do I ever want to just listen to the music?' " +++++

of course every day, things are that that is our target: " just listen to music with the best quality performance I can achieve through each one audio system ".

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.