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Ortofon MC A90 Cartridge VTF

I just spent the weekend at mikelavigne's where we did a comparison with three turntables all using the same Ortofon MC A90 cartridges. We had the cartridges setup at the recommended VTF and they did not all have the same amount of break-in time on them. I decided to see what would happen when we lightened the cartridges up.

We started on the first table and the weight was about 2.25. We lessened the weight until I thought that the sound really locked in. By the time we were done on the first turntable, the VTF was at around 1.56. When we did the second table we got the weight all the way down to 1.92. On the third table it ended up best at about 2.01.

All parties (myself, Mike and Steve) agreed that lightening up the carts really opened things up quite a bit without loss of bass. The inner detail and delicacy inreased as did speed and dynamics.

I called Ortofon and am awaiting a response but I was wondering if those of you who own this cartridge have gone outside the recommended range and if you could share your experiences.

There is more to read about this if you want under mikelavigne's system thread.
jtinn

Showing 12 responses by tbg

tbg
5,263 posts
 
Thanks for the suggested lower tracking force recommendation. I will have to try them.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Dlanselm, it used to be that you tracked as lightly as you could without mistracking. Are you suggesting that you seek some sonic perfection? I guess I read the earlier posts to suggest what was the lowest VTF without mistracking. Perhaps I am wrong?
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Jtinn, but going lower was stopped by mistracking, right? With a sharp radius stylus, I suspect that Lyniv is right, you are changing the VTA when you change the tracking weight. Perhaps very slightly lowering the VTA would yield the same results. Going to a thicker record would do the same thing.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mike, I still wonder what your quest is. Is it the lightest tracking force or the sound? I assume that you are redoing the VTA with each lower tracking weight. Is that the case? Also, are you readjusting the overhang in each case? Do you have a mistracking record? I am asking this as I will soon be able to use my Ortofon and have only very old experience in setting up anything other than the Shindo Labs cartridge on their tt. With it you have no overhang adjustment and the tracking weight is a very firm stated 2.85 grams. Even VTA is strongly recommended. Everything is intended solely for the Shindo set up.

I have found that the VTA is very critical on the Shindo and would be surprised were it not on the Ortofon.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mike, yes by having everything fixed the Shindo minimizes what needs to be adjusted, including overhang and tracking weight. I just remember the old Shure tracking test records where you sought the lowest tracking weight before mistracking.

While I concede that we are talking about fractions of a degree and of an inch, I still expect that changing tracking weight varies both. I guess I will see once I get the Ortofon mounted and running.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Vetterone, when you say "sweet spot" you seem to suggest that you could go lower but that the sound was not as good. Would the A90 in the Tri-Planar track at a lower tracking weight, but not sound as good?

I guess I am old guard. I set everything up accurately including the manufacturer's recommended tracking weight. Then I reduced the tracking weight downward until I got mistracking. Often I used the Shure record, but at least once I used an oscilloscope to look at the wave forms. Then I focused on the VTA.

Norm
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mikelavigne, it sounds like for this cartridge, the Reed has the optimum resonance frequency. I will soon be getting a Bergman tt and will be able to see where I need to see how low a tracking force I can use as well as what VTA is optimal.

In some respects the "everything fixed" approach of Shindo was a good deal easier, but allowed little experimentation. One had to accept Ken Shindo's judgment.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Grooves, two friends from Houston came up and convinced me that I should try 2.02 grams. I could not hit that exactly but 2.01 did sound better, but when I raised the VTA, it was clearly better. When I then raised it a hair more, it was not as good. I have played it there since with great satisfaction. I am using a Bergman Sindre turntable and arm. I suspect that you are right about the 92ºs, but I think you can find it by ear.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Dante1, how did you set VTA?
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Nandric, I think your point is well taken. On my Shindo Labs cartridge there is no tolerance from the 2.85 gr. recommendation, but this is an entire system for vinyl.

I have certainly played with tracking weight in the past, in particular with Decca cartridges, but usually VTA is the main focus of setting up the cartridge once the overhang is properly set.

I should say that the people involved in this experiment are quite reputable and that Jtinn's room at THE Show with this cartridge sounded excellent.

Being a doubting thomas, I will soon be able to replicate their efforts to my own satisfaction.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Downunder, yeah, I read it and tried it. As judged by a bubble balance, I am very slightly down in back. I guess he was probably tracking at 2.3 grams. I am at 2.02. So I should be even more up in back.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Me too and with the cartridge level.
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