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Origin live Cartridge Enabler - a review

This is a basic review aimed at those who are in a similar middle lane of the audiophile analogue motorway.
Enhancements are plentiful for turntables and provoke much intense debate. However I feel as though the use of them is particularly relevant for those like me who have turntables at a lower end level.
So after much review and forum research I decided on Origin live also because I could save on delivery by obtaining a few items at the same time. Analogueseduction is another good option in this regard. Unfortunately, the platter mat I also ordered hadn’t been packed, so I only had their brush and the enabler to enjoy.

I`m aware that the theory is to channel unwanted disturbances from the cartridge into the arm, but I`ve always considered that just damping them would be better. Anyhow that in simple terms is the Enablers job.

The turntable itself is a 1990`s Roksan Xerses, the (platter is aluminium). I have an old Ringmat as platter mat at present. The arm an SME IV, the cartridge a VD Hul retipped Koetsu Black.

I became familiar with a fine pressing of Alan Parsons Eve, first track Lucifer which has quite a lot of detail before installation of the Enabler.

So installation was a bit fiddly, and note well, you will need bolts that are at least 5 mm longer to successfully complete the job. I made every effort to set the VTA as it was before installation, and checked alignments and the settings to make sure that they hadn’t changed.

The very first impression is that the sound is slightly thinner. Straight after that you realize that is because some of the – ringing, bloom? has been removed. So for example, a percussive tap, ting or knock is more definite. Again the bass is slightly lighter, but far less boomy. I player a Peter Gabriel track that sounded overblown in the bass when I listened a couple of days before. Now the bass was tuneful and balanced in tone with the rest of the instruments.

So initial impressions are ones of a satisfactory improvement, and again I maintain that with more modest equipment, if care is taken with the details, the end result can result in a worthwhile improvement. So as the professional reviewers say – highly recommended!

lastperfectdaymusic

Showing 3 responses by lastperfectdaymusic

lastperfectdaymusic's avatar
lastperfectdaymusic OP
48 posts
 
Hi millercarbon . well I had a look at the  Synergistic Research PHT. That`s crazy! Never heard of it. I wonder what it is, but its a lot more expensive than the OL Enhancer.
To be honest if these enhancements are so good, why dont the turntable and cartridge manufacturers just supply them as an extra option with their products!?
The other thing is that it is really difficult to place a value on most enhancements. I could have probably used regular piece of extruded rubber product in its place and have got a similar response!
But I definitely noticed an improvement on my system as related, and thought that there are so few reviews on the Enhancer that I would add my 2 cents worth.
lastperfectdaymusic's avatar
lastperfectdaymusic OP
48 posts
 
Thank you for the enlightenment, analogue is certainly a complex interest. I really have to go by what my ears tell me, and I will certainly listen to more LP`s that I am familiar with tonight to get more ideas on how the Enabler performs. But up to now I can certainly notice an improvement as reviewed.
If I may ask mijostyn, how would I go about increasing the mass of my SME IV tonearm to make it more compatible with the Koetsu.
Secondly, I am really sold on buying a Hana SL to replace it as it (the Koetsu) must need refurbishing. How will the Hana fit with my tonearm?
Thank you.
lastperfectdaymusic's avatar
lastperfectdaymusic OP
48 posts
 
Hi, thanks to all for getting involved. I`m not sure that I have an answer for the arm mass increase issue that lewm was recommending, I mean where do you get these from?
I had the opportunity of another listen last night. Side 1 of `Crime of the century`. I couldn’t believe all the detail, clarity and timbre that I was hearing for the first time. Like looking at a street lamp in the dark with smudged specs, then cleaning them with a microfibre cloth and seeing the difference!
I wonder what other hidden value we have in our turntables through using enhancements?!
I have the Origin live mat waiting at home for using, but first I want to get a good idea of the Enabler.
I appreciate the comments on the cartridges, thank you chakster. I have seen too many positive comments on the Hana SL to be moved, and hopefully it will remain in reach financially in the next few months! Our economy is not in the hands of experts!!
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