Glanz moving magnet cartridges
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I think its just old mans saggy ass syndrome. My MFG61 rides a little low - sounds great, but I don't use it much at all. This is why vintage cartridges are risky in my view. Also Expert Stylus/Garrots can give you an appraisal of the condition before you undertake any work. I think Garrotts charge $50 for inspection only. |
Thanks for the in depth explanation. What I fear is that the suspension has gone bad, but then I wonder why the same would have happened on two samples. Certainly that’s not impossible. I’ll see what I can find for a reasonable cost. Given the mystique that surrounds these cartridges, I’d like to hear a good one. |
It appears the cantilever carriage is universal across most of the Astatic/Glanz range, but each model has a variation in cantilever material and/or tip.. So if you have 2 assemblies that require a new cantilever, and they cannot be repaired, you might be able to find a worn out Astatic/Glanz cartridge with the correct cantilever ( doesn't have to be the same model ) and replace the tip. So what I am saying is grab a donor Astatic/Glanz ( doesn't have to be a MF2500 ) with an aluminium cantilever in good nick and try it in your MF2500 - retip if necessary. My feeling is that given the position of the cantilever is more critical than most MI/MM cartridges to achieve the constant flux as per the Glanz patents, rebulding may be difficult to get right. If you can start with a good factory cantilever assembly you would be more assured of keeping the overall integrity of the design.. |
While I'm on it, I now need to update my list of cartridges. I have just managed to get hold of a Denon DL-1000A MC cartridge, after decades of waiting!!! It was the cartridge that Jonathan Carr recommended to me back in the day as the most accurate cartridge he knew of. Whilst he felt the the Highphonic MC-D15 was the most beautiful sounding, he had this Denon as hands down the most accurate. That opinion seemed to be confirmed in John Gilbert's review for Gramophone in November 1983. I can hardly wait for it to arrive. Excited!! As always...
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Hi Lewm,
You could try Franz-Josef Schulte (the heir to Axel). His email address is: FJS info@tonabnehmerservice.de and he does a range of cartridge types and makes. As you can see above, he mended my Acutex 420 STR and is currently refreshing my Highphonic MC-D15. Good luck |
I would suggest you talk to. Expert Stylus in the UK or Garrott in Australia. Both have extensive experience with wide range of cartridges. Expert can rebuild some pretty weird cartridges. Alternatively if the cantilever/suspension is dodgy have you investigated using a donor cartridge for another stylus assembly and retipping it with the appropriate stylus profile. |
Dgob or Raul or anyone, last year I picked up a defective MF2500. It plays music but sounds strident, shrill, and distorted. Andy Kim more or less declined to work on it, either because he didn’t feel it was worth the cost of his effort or because he felt he couldn’t fix it. I couldn’t tell what he really thought. I have two stylus assemblies and neither one works well. Can anyone recommend a repair person with some expertise in these MF types? Thx. |
Hi Raul, Thanks for the suggestion. However, after reviewing discussions with Axel and holding lengthy discussions with Franz, the nude shibata on aluminium cantilever were felt to be optimum resonance and performance combination for my given cartridge (the Acutex 420 STR). So I've repeated that exercise to genuine joy. I'm not dismissing the possibility that your suggestion of the shibata and boron combination is not valid. It is just that I have no experience in hearing this combination on said cartridge. However, if you can give me more details about how these perform, I will consider taking that option for one of my styli. If you want you can do this off line by email. BTW, great to speak again on Agon. As always... |
Hi All, Just to let you know, that I am sitting down a little less confused today. I recently bought the Accoustical-Systems Smartractor (a very recommended buy) and it turns out that the Glanz G5 in the Audiocraft 3300 with s armwand is precise on the Uni-Din scale. My state of perplexity regarding the Loefgren A/ Baerwald DIN; Loegren B/Baerwald IEC; Loegren B DIn and Loegren B IEC has (as you can see across this thread) caused me so much confusion, I wondered why none of these scales matched and why other test devices that were designed around these scales also saw problems AND YET the music coming from the cartridge/tonearm combination was just so stunning! Well, it turns out that the scales were not measuring what was being asked of them. Some might say that this proves that the best equipment for making audiophile decisions remains our own (with time, 'trained') ears!!
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@dgob : Sorry you already pull the triger but was a bad " move " because the cantilever should/must be boron material.
R. |
Hi All, on a point of correction, I recently acquired a second (and slightly damaged) stylus for my Acutex 420 STR. I sent it off for the same revamp as Axel had made and discussed this with his successor (Franz-Josef Schulte) and it transpires that the optimisation carried out by Axel was the nude shibata on an aluminium cantilever. I am about to receive the adapted stylus with the same adaptation from Franz. This should not only provide me with the joy that Axel's work did, but also afford me an opportunity to determine whether Franz is maintaining the impeccable standards set by Axel. Fingers crossed.
As always... |
Dear @dwhistance : The G7 is an integrated headshell cartridge that weigths 19gr. and 12 cu compliance. With this information and your tonearm(s) effective mass you can know which of your tonearms mates better with that cartridge using this resonance calcukator: https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php In the other side any integrated headshell cartridge models are not really good against the same model in stand alone fashion. Is up to you and over time you can find out the stand alone model or you can find out the Astatic MF 100 or the MF 2500 that came with the same cartridge motor generator.
R. |
Hello dgob, I’ve seen the eBay listing for the Glanz G7 and M7. I think earlier in this thread you said you were trying various arms with your Glanz G5, could you say which ones you tried and which worked best please? I’m interested in trying the G7 but don’t know whether any of the arms I have will work with it. Many thanks. David Whistance |
Hi xactaudio,
Yes, of all the high end cartridges that I ever sent to Axel Schurholz, the only one whose performance that he enthusiastically described as "perfect" was the Acutex 420 STR with a nude shibata tip and boron cantilever. I agree with his (and your assessments). A marvellous cartridge in every way.
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Hi chakster (11.12.2021 @ 9:31pm), The Highphonics was actually recommended to me by Jonathan Carr, who described it as the most beautiful cartridge he knew at the time. It does however need a powerful phono preamp to drive its 0.129 mV output.
Jonathan would probably be the best bet for more detail. However, there are suggestions here: J Carr is the man to give information on this question. - bkearns - Vinyl Asylum (audioasylum.com). As always... |
@xactaudio Mr. Dobbins, is that you ? I did not use my MF-61 for a long time, but 5-7 years ago it was my favorite cartridge, I bought ZYX LIVE-18 headshell for it and this combo is in my vaults ever since. Extremely rare model! It's a keeper.
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xactaudio, Am I assumed to be indeterminate qua gender? I am named next to ladies and gentlemans. May I refert to my native ''socialistic country''. According to our secrtary of culture there no homosesuals in our socialistic country, But if they are they are in such small numbers that is not worth to talk about. . |
Greetings ladies & gentlemen...you too Nandric :) Joking aside, hope all are well. Had an hour to kill so I just re-read all nine pages of this thread. Kinda fun. The "distortions" responses were tedious but otherwise fun. While some of my preferences have changed over the life of this thread, most remain. The biggest change for me is a switch from all tubes to all SS. Never thought that would happen. I remain solidly in the LOMC camp but the MFG 61 and a handfull of other vintage carts still have my highest respect. Vintage tonearms as well. Have to shake my head sometimes after hearing how different one cartridge can sound from another, yet still enjoy the music. I see dgob enjoys the Acutex 420STR. I've been a big fan for over a decade. After hearing one properly run-in, I bought 23 more of them. That was 11-12 years ago. That's how much I think of them. Outstanding performer, especially for the money. It takes a LONG time for the 420 to open up so if you find one, don't give up on it. It'll reward you. To improve the 420 further, I glue the stylus housing to the body. I use a small amount of cyanoacrylate glue(super glue). This makes a significant improvment. All long nose Acutex carts can benefit. I also remove the stylus guard. YMMV
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Interesting @dgob I never tried Highphonic cartridges, but I've seen many of them. Do you know who designed them? |
Advantages of tension wire by ,say, MM carts is ever explained by J. Carr is this forum. They are usual by MC cartridges but not by MM kinds. With exceptions. By AT , Technics , Grace and some Glanz& Astatic (the ''top'' versions) also. I can see this clear by MF 71 and Astatic 100 but not by Astatic 200 or Glanz 31. Tension wire ''imply'' fastening an both sides of the generator. This means fastening an the cantilever and its back side. By Technics this back side is glued but by Glanz there is an screw on the back side . Anyway in order to repair damping this wire must be removed. This is not possible by Technics but probably well by other. |
This English gentleman forget the ''function of time''. Or rather he wants to reverse its direction. When Raul started this thread one could ask more money for each cart of the month than he paid for. This ''one'' was member of this forum and had as such ''inside information''. To put this otherwise we were able to experiment for free. Alas this is not anymore the case. However our English gentleman still thinks that those ''good old times'' are still present. |
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Dear chakster, Logic is connected with mathematics ( aka the number theory) in the West but not necessary in the East. Chinese and Japanese distinguish between ''bad'' and ''good numbers''. So searching for logical explanation for Glanz numbers is hopeless undertaking. Even worst is the AT nomenclature. I own AT's in the cloths of Signet kinds numbered from 10 ,etc. but without nr. 8. I own all of them till TK 5 but despite logic there is no nr.8. So I assume that they (the Japanese) assume that this number brings misfortune. But then there is some logic in avoiding this number because everybody wants to avoid misfortune. So it may be the case that they preferred nr. 61 above 71. Also because the 61 is produced later they needed to put this nr. somewhere so they put it between 71 and 51. There is ,alas, no reason for us in the West to feel superior because we also have some strange numbers: negative , irrational and even infinite numbers. |
@nandric Glanz MFG -71 l (has) much bigger tapered Aluminum alloy I don't think the numbers is the reference to quality, if this logic could be true a 71 must be better than 61, but it's not. There is a 610LX too. Same logic can be applied to Astatic MF100 versus Astatic MF200, someone prefer MF100 over MF200, but 100 is a lower number. There was the MF2500 which is a higher number. I assume that Dgob's G-5 I lost my interess to Glanz or Astatic cartridges since my farovite has been discovered. Maybe Dgob discovered much better cartridges too and lost his interess. Sometimes the process is more interesting than result. I've noticed that over the years i can only discover better cartridges :) One more shot on my macro lens with Glanz 31L cantilever/stylus under the sun in the winter. |
Dear chakster, ''Glanz MFG -71 l (has) much bigger tapered Aluminum alloy cantilever ...found in cheaper and fairly high quality cartridges''. Curious statement but I don't believe that Mitachi would make such effort for the construction of 71 stilus (in comparison to 31 L) if there was no improvement in comparison to 31 L which is much more simple qua construction. I assume that Dgob's G-5 has the same stylus (construction) as 71 l. I never inspected the G-5 stylus so I have no idea how it looks. My hope was that Dgob would react to my (and Lew's) request and explain to us why he ''swears'' by those G-5, G-7 kinds? He has the most experience with the G-5 and , I assume, prefer this model above all else. Alas he seems not to be as ''nice '' as I assumed. Anyway no reaction at all. Now about this ''tension wire''. At the end of the ''stylus tube'' there is an adjustment screw with which the pressure on the rubber damping can be increased or decreased ''tuning'' this way the compliance of the cart. I think that Axel used this screw to fix your ''low rider'' sample. For 60 euro not much work (grin). If you look better at your User manual you will see this screw as well damping rubber behind the cantilever. By MC kinds the ''rubber ring'' is fastened behind the coils on the generator. The pressure on this rubber ring can be adjusted by the tension wire in reverse. When the tension wire need to be installed back and ''tensioned'' against the rubber ring. One can see different screws on the MC generators one of which need to fasten tension wire at the end of the generator. This tension wire divide the moving part(s); stylus , cantilever and coils fastened on the (aluminum) joint pipe and damping which is fastened behind the coils on the generator. Without tension wire the front or the moving parts would drop off. |
Some more nice images of the Rare Japanese Moving Flux cartridges in comparison next to each other to explain the difference in details. What is important: the higher model number does not supposed to be a better quality cartridge. It's quite opposite, the 61 is better than 71L and everyone should know this. Here is the Glanz MFG-61 & MFG-71L. The main difference is cantilever and stylus tip in other words change the cantilever/tip and you will change the sound of your Moving Flux cartridge. The sound signature of 61 an 71L is completely different. Now look at on the different cantilevers and styli: 61 & 71L Boron cantilever (MFG-61) holds a Nude "PH" diamond of a low mass design. This combination of Boron cantilever and low mass stylus on the Gralz 61 creates an ultra low mass system, capable of the finest reproduction from your cherished vinyl. The Glanz 61 is extremely rare and very expensive cartridge from the 80’s. Glanz MFG-71L with much bigger tapered Aluminum Alloy cantilever represents what is found in cheaper and fairly high quality cartridges. 71L is not as good as the 61, not even close, but it has a Nude Line Contact diamond. |
@lewm Chakster, This thread was initiated several years ago by dgob, after he purchased a Glanz G5. Apparently that's a cartridge with an integrated headshell. Apparently also there is at least one other integrated headshell Glanz with a single-digit alphanumberic designation, the G7. How do those units fit into the scheme? Are they in the same ballpark, SQ-wise, as some of the others being discussed here, 5 years later? (Not suggesting the G5 challenges your favorite MFG61; I know nothing about any of them.) yeah, those Headshell Integrated Glanz models are all have this HUGE tapered cantilever, just like the 71 model. Since the 71L (NOS) was the least impressive to my ears i have never tried G7 or G5. Among the cheaper models Glanz the 31L was the best to my ears, this model is equal to Astatic MF-200 (even the color of the stylus holder and cartridge body). |
@nandric Sorry it was a broken link in my previous reply to your statement below, now the link is fixed So I inspected both styli. The stylus by 71 looks pretty So where is the tension wire on this schematic of MFG-71L ? I can’t see a traditional tension wire that goes in line with the cantilever. There is nothing like that on Glanz 71L |
Someone will find my audiophile’s diary in the future world, not sure it will be usefull in the future, but today when Glanz cartridges available online, i believe my information will help someone to make the right choice. This is (clockwise) Glanz MFG-61, MFG-31L, MFG-61 & 71L, MFG-61 Firs of all this is a proof that Japanese Glanz is the brand of Mitachi Corp. Here is more about MF technology invented and patended by Mitachi. A lot of technical information in this post, all about rare Glanz Moving Flux phono cartridges (click here for the specs for MFG-51, 31, 11 and on the next page you will find MFG-71L , 71E and 51L ). As you can see the number 61 is missing in the catalog of Glanz products, because this model is completely different stand alone model. Read about styli profiles for all types of MFG-71, 51, 31, 11 And here is a styli guide by color This is a separate manual for the Glanz 61. I’ve owned all the best Mitachi MF cartridges, but never seen this manual for 61 until this week (thanks to a fellow collector @florence4 from Connecticut, USA). Now please looks at the picture with all 3 types of cantilevers the MFG-61 (Boron) is in the middle, between my MFG-31L and MFG-71L. The MFG-61 is clearly the best of them all, simply amazing cartridge. All pictures taken by me here at the Shingaling studio. The rest is in the documents. More to follow ... |
@nandric So I inspected both styli. The stylus by 71 looks pretty Please click on every link in this post. There is NO traditional tention wire (as i can see), just look at this schematic of the construction, this illustration is for 71 (you will recognize that huge cantilever). That strange and fat alluminum cantilever is NOT SHORT, the length of the 71 cantilever is even a bit longer than Boron Cantilever of my 61. Side view on this image (61 on the left, 71 on the right). The insert is the same, but anyone can see that 71L has slightly longer cantilever than 61. As you mentioned your sample was ’’low rider’’. This means to me that you listened to an defective Glanz. So your opinion about Glanz 71 is not very convincing. In contradistinction the 31 stylus is much more simple and without tension wire. The tube behind the cantilever looks like those by Shure. I don’t see how those can be opened in order to change the ’’rubber ring’’ assuming that there is one. Like you I think that G5 and G7 have the same stylus as 71L. I have inspected 71L before and after suspension repair. I must say the problem was not so bad, but i decided to proceed with suspension repair anyway (cost me no more than 60 euro). The final critical test and comparison between 31L, 61 and 71L was made after my 71L has arrived from Axel (repaired, look at the sticker). The suspension was fine, but i did not noticed any improvement in sound and the cartridge was BRAND NEW (never used before, until i bought it). Actually the cartridge was burned-in with Cardas LP for a few nights. I must say my used 31L was better than NEW 71L. Some new pictures below (from my archive): You’re right about the stylus, the 71L has square shank stylus. The 31L has round shank stylus. The PH stylus on Glanz 61 is completely different comparing to all other models, the main difference is lower mass, tall diamond wich looks thinner from the front view. I’m happy to share my pictures and information, but there is no question than none of those carts can compete with 61 model. BTW our @halcro mentioned that his new Glanz MFG-610LX is much better than any other Glanz he has owned. The MFG-610LX and MFG-61 have more similarities than any other Glanz. |
Dear chakster, I quote Aristotle: ''Amicus Plato sed magis amica veritas'' (I love Plato but I love truth more). I was wondering about your ''dismissal'' of Glanz 71 L in comparison with Glanz 31L. I was also surprised with Axel's repair of the 71 damping. So I inspected both styli. The stylus by 71 looks pretty complex , more like an MC kind then usual MM kinds. The conical cantilever is pretty short with so called ''one point suspension'' and tension wire which can be adjusted with an screw at the end of the ''stylus tube''. The damping rubber is just behind the stylus such that by increasing tension on the wire one can adjust the compliance . As you mentioned your sample was ''low rider''. This means to me that you listened to an defective Glanz. So your opinion about Glanz 71 is not very convincing. In contradistinction the 31 stylus is much more simple and without tension wire. The tube behind the cantilever looks like those by Shure. I don't see how those can be opened in order to change the ''rubber ring'' assuming that there is one. Like you I think that G5 and G7 have the same stylus as 71L. I hope Dgob will be so kind to inform us about his experience with G5 which btw he got from me by way of exchange (grin) |
@nandric You also mentioned to never ’’retip’’ MM carts but you deed For practical reason i prefer to buy another original/working cartridge or just original stylus, i think it’s much better investment. Because we both try to inform our co-members as good as we can this information is pretty important. As you also know Raul posted a bunch of his MM carts for ’’refurbishing’’ to different ’’retip services’’ in advance. That is without checking their function first. But if nobody is able to fix suspensions problems by MM kinds this should be mentioned to our members. I got my Glanz 71L in NOS condition, comparing it to my 61 and 31L i realized that my NOS 71L is a lowrider. I’ve shipped it to Axel for suspension repair and he did it, slowly, but he did it. When my german friend asking for a cartridge in a certain price range i've offered him the Glanz 71L with Axel phone number on the sticker and Axel’s warranty for his suspension repair job. German friend was happy that someone in his country can service his cartridge (if needed). He called Axel over the phone to double check everything, Axel confirmed that my 71L was repaired by him and still under his warranty, so we made a deal, i think it was in 2014-2015. Axel retired then as you said. But what i’m tying to say is that Glanz can be refurbished if suspension failed. That was the last time i have ever refurbished MM (MF) cartridge. Being a perfectionists i hate reburbishing! Luckily since that day i have NEVER bought any cartridge with bad suspension. I just don’t buy Technics anymore, this cartridge must be avoided! Those repairs are not cheap so if they make no sense our members should be warned. If some of the MM kinds have the whole ’’exotic’’ cantilever inside than this cantilever must be damped somehow. My advice to anyone: Buy from audiophiles and ask them for high resolution pictures, ask them to test a cartridges, ask them for detailed explanation about condition of the suspension. Don’t buy a lowriders if it was not designed originally to be a lowrider. If you or somebody else damaged a cartridge, do yourself a favor, just buy another cartridge, do not bother about retipping or refurbishing (leave it to somebody else, sell your damaged cartridge, it's much better idea). There are always some nice cartridges on the market that we have not tried yet, they can be much better! Do not stick to one cartridge, do not think that you have "the best ever cartridge" until you will try hundreds of different cartridges. Refurbishing is only a compromise, in my opinion it’s not worth it. Always buy original stylus replacement or just buy another working cartridge. Anyone can find a decent cartridge at any price, normally from $300 to infinity (based on my buying experience). Sometimes a $300 cartridge can be better than $1000 cartridge. |
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Chakster, This thread was initiated several years ago by dgob, after he purchased a Glanz G5. Apparently that's a cartridge with an integrated headshell. Apparently also there is at least one other integrated headshell Glanz with a single-digit alphanumberic designation, the G7. How do those units fit into the scheme? Are they in the same ballpark, SQ-wise, as some of the others being discussed here, 5 years later? (Not suggesting the G5 challenges your favorite MFG61; I know nothing about any of them.) |
Dear chakster, I mentioned my reservation about MM carts regarding their ''internal construction'' . I have no idea how damping (aka ''rubber ring'') is fastened on the cantilever. You know my experience with Technics 205,mk3 . Its suspension problem was impossible to fix. This is one of the reasons why I never try any ''refurbishing'' of MM kinds. You also mentioned to never ''retip'' MM carts but you deed not explained why. Because we both try to inform our co- members as good as we can this information is pretty important. As you also know Raul posted a bunch of his MM carts for ''refurbishing'' to different ''retip services'' in advance. That is without checking their function first. But if nobody is able to fix suspensions problems by MM kinds this should be mentioned to our members. Those repairs are not cheap so if they make no sense our members should be warned. If some of the MM kinds have the whole ''exotic'' cantilever inside than this cantilever must be damped somehow. I know how this is done by styli with tension wire but not how this is done by other kinds. My scepsis is based on my experience with 205,mk 3 which may not apply for other kinds. If you know how those (whole) cantilevers are damped and if those are also reparable then you should explain how. One only need to look at the ''tube'' behind any MM stylus and then ask the question: ''how can this be done''? |
