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: 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=item2574f878d0then you & Henry can resume negotiations. Peace, |
Timeltel,
"Now, out of respect for Dgob shall we return to the discussion".
Don't mind me.
As always... |
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 |
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, |
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... |
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 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... |
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 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... |
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,
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... |
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... |
Halcro, I can be of help if you still need the 155Lc.
Send me a pm at audpulse@aol.com. |
|
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... |
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 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 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 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... |
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 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... |
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, |
This is why the Irish wish for the wind to be at their backs. That way, the balls don't usually drop off. |
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. |
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. |
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?! |
Hi Nandric,
I think you can put away your guns: for now ;~)
As always... |
Hi All,
Just to let you all know that I see that there has been some noise made about the Spectral Moving Coil Reference (MCR-1) cartridge on the MM/MI thread. I have an original blue bodied MCR-1 available at present. It served me well for many years.
Sadly, I sent it to a potential buyer in Italy some time ago and he returned it "without" the stylus [Claim? "the infamous Italian postal service"]. Still, it is in perfect condition apart from that and I am certain that Axel could quite easily replace the stylus if anyone is interested. Feel free to contact me and I am certain we can come to some arrangement for its purchase.
As always... |
Dear Henry, Ever heard about Polish-Russian 'disputes' or, even worst, the relationship between those damn Croatian traitors with the nobel and brave Serbians? All are counted
as Slavonic but when you ask a Polack:'are you Slavic?' his answer is: 'no I am Catholic'.
As I wrote to you: 'you wounded my pride' by refusing to accept my (top of the line) TK 9CL as present. So you have no right to play with Slavic sentiments. |
Dear Vetterone, If somebody else told me this about you my answer would be: 'you have no idea what you are talking about. Our Vetterone is an inventor, open minded guy who
would never state such a strong minded opinion regarding the comparison between one known and some totally unknow cart.'
But the facts are the facts. His curiosity should also be questioned because he refused to exchange one of his plinths which he produce himself for one rare, impossible to get and exceptional cart. I had no idea that the American debts would have such an impact on the (his) human nature. |
Dear Dover, In Holland 'we' say:'butter by the fish'.
Without any ranking of those Vestax cartridge as well as
some comparison with the 'carts of the month' this looks
like the general statement 'we all are Gods children'.
Strange however that Thuchan , who is a 1/2
Japanese according to Raul, confused Mitachi with Mitsubishi. |
For anyone interested, there is currently an Audio Technica ATML-170 OCC for sale on eBay UK. |
Dear Dgob, I assume everybody is interested but you forget
to mention that this one is without the stylus. |
Hi Nandric,
True, but I thought the actual auction answered your point and so felt it insignificant.
As always... |
"Just when I think I'm out, they drag me back in".
Axel has revamped an Acutex 420 STR and sent it to me. When put on an Audio Technica MG-10 magnesium headshell on my AC3300 LB, it is simply a great cartridge. I recommend anyone who already owns this cartridge to consider sending it to Axel for changes.
A worthy contender
As always... |
Dgob, how should we instruct Axel to change the Acutex 420? |
Dgob, what changes did Alex performed on the Acutex 420STR ? |
Dear Dgob, Are you mad at MM thread? To my knowledge the
stylus and the cantilever by Acutex 420 are pretty good
so I assume that one or the other was broken? Or deed you
order by Axel the 'exotic' beryllium or boron cantilever and
Gyger 2 stylus? Otherwise I dont't understand what Axel could improve on.
Regards, |
Hi Acman3,
Just ask him to make the adjustments that he made to my (Desmond Bailey) 420. I can see that this involves a new stylus and cantilever but am not certain what else it involves. I know that the last revamp had his most exotic and expensive stylus but I was not fully satisfied with this. Unlike that shibata tip this one is elliptical (I know this denies logic) and the performance is much warmer (more midrange detail) while maintaining the tracking and staging abilities of the original. I hope this helps and let me know if I can be of any assistance or how it goes for you.
As always... |
Hi Nandric,
On my sanity, I'm not fully certain and see no way of answering that: a mad man rarely thinks he is thus (rather like turkeys being asked to vote for Thanksgiving).
But the changes do have a major impact on the cartridge. The main change is in the midrange and seeing as that was the only area in which I was unhappy with the original, it seems a major change to me. As I said, it has amazing staging and tracking abilities and this means that the resolution in large scale orchestral works (I cite Mahler's 8th - Solti, Decca as a litmus test here. Just compare its rendition of the colour and detail, say on Side 1, to renditions of the same by other top cartridges) is phenomenal.
I'd therefore still suggest that it's worth a try if you already own the 420 STR and, like myself and a few other present or former owners, are not fully satisfied with its performance.
As always... |
Hi All,
Just one more point on the 420STR revamp: it needs careful set up as very small changes (say in VTF and VTA) have a larger than normal affect on its performance. Within a couple of millimetres of parallel it can move from a super rich, midrange vibrant performer to a lean, critical and super analytical one.
Hope this helps.
As always... |
Hi Nandric,
Sorry, I just realised that I might have misread your post as questioning my general sanity when it seems you were actually questioning whether I was annoyed with the MM thread. If that is the case, my answer is "no". Sadly, I have turned my attentions elsewhere recently and so do not find the time to follow or respond to much of the interesting commentary on there. I do still try and follow it when the time and inclination allow though.
As always... |
Dear Dgob, I was not refering to your interest in philosophy... but was wondering why you deed not post this contribution in the MM thread. Meanwhile you already corrected this. That is to say if you want to keep your Glanz thread, uh, 'exclusive'. If you would be so kind to mention the price of Axel's work we may be able to deduce the cantilever/stylus combo from the price.I myself am very reluctant to retip a cart which already has a new stylus as well as the cantilever. This 'prerogative' I live gladly to Raul and 'some' British gentleman.
Regards, |
Hi Audpulse,
I think you must have post while I was posting my above response to Acman3 and Nandric.
I hope that helps but let me know if you think I can help in any other way.
As always... |
Hi Nandric,
I think the issue of Agon holding posts has played a part here. If you start a thread (as in this Glanz one) any comment you post on this is automatically listed. However, if you submit on another person's thread (as in the MM/MI one), they hold it in moderation for a while (between 4 and 8 hours). I had originally posted on both threads simultaneously.
Regarding the revamp, it is possible that other people are getting what I get now from their original 420s. I'm not certain and so my suggestion is really only for those who feel that there are clear performance limitations on the original. I share your reluctance to over egg and omelette or retip a perfectly fine original stylus.
As always... |
That should have read: 'over egg an omelette'. |
Sorry Nandric,
He has not charged me yet as the gift was unsolicited. I will speak to him soon thought to sort that out.
As always... |
Hi Nandric,
If we're (hopefully) done with discussing the Acutex, how are things going with your G5.
I'm still loving mine although I have been listening to it with the line contact stylus of my G7 on it rather than its own original elliptical stylus (which is still in need of a visit to Axel). I do prefer it's performance with its own stylus though.
As always... |
Dear Dgob, I think that the Glanz 5 is the best MM cart that I own. To give some idea about the other: AT 180, Signet TK 9 CL, Virtuoso black with boron/super elliptical,
Acutex 420, Stanton 881 S , AKG P8Es VdHul, etc.,etc.
But since 4 days I am busy with my new Benz LP S. The big question is the comparison with Miyabi Standard , Sony XL 88 and the FR-7 (with nude line stylus). To my mind or testes with those 4 last mentioned only the Glanz 5 among the MM kind can compete. So you can easily deduce that I am very happy with 'your' Glanz 5. To put this otherwise:
without your thread I would never buy any Glanz cart.
Regards, |
