2. analog
  3. 1268434839

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
63 responses Add your response
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Hi Grooves

How far above parallel is the tonearm/headshell to get to 92 degrees, for the folks like me without a microscope.

Do you find that 92 degrees works better for LP's set for 180gms or 120 gms - ie which is teh best compromise if you don't want to change the height every LP.

cheers
smoffatt
205 posts
 
Hi all, I ain't getting a microscope. I have enough gizzmos as it is.

The A90 is a top shelf cartridge no doubt and i would suspect that tracking this puppy at a lower VTF then recommended by Ortofon (2.3g), you would have to raise the back of the arm quite significantly to obtain the 92 degrees SRA Mickey is referring to. So much so that you may run out of travel play at your arm's pivot if you track your A90 at let say 1.8 or even lower.
Tracking at 1.8g or lower with the arm parallel to the record surface i bet that you would be around 88 degrees SRA. Less than ideal sonically but some may prefer the sound at those settings.

Very good question downunder. For those without a microscope, If we track at 2.3g, how should the back of the Phantom be at from parallel?
dante1
3 posts
 
I mistakenly set VTF at 1.8g when I switched carts on my Ortofon AS 309S arm. Imagine my surprise when the A90 opened up gloriously and gave deeper and tighter bass. I stumbled upon this thread while searching for similar experiences from others. I can't go back to the manufacturer's recommended VTF range without feeling shortchanged. This is a wonderful cart at the 1.8 gram setting on my arm.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Dante1, how did you set VTA?
dante1
3 posts
 
Tbg, I had the tail slightly up. I tried setting it flat but tail up sounded better, with more air but without losing the lower frequencies.
smoffatt
205 posts
 
I stand corrected from my previous post. If the VTF is lower (ie: 2.0 or lower), the VTA need to be less to attain the desired 92 degrees SRA. As VTF increases, the styli is pushed forward on the record surface and the base of the tonearm need to be somewhat higher to attain the same 92 degrees.
Best way is always to adjust by ear a tiny bit at a time up or down after the initial set up.
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Hi all just wanted to bring this thread back to life, it's been a while now.

After hearing a A90 earlier this year in someones set-up and likeling what I heard decided to get one. I only have 25 hours on it so far, have it paired up with a TW 10.5 arm.

So if anyone has this combo if you don't mind sharing how you have it set-up.

Lots of great info. in this thread.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
So guys, 2.5 years later. What Vtf is everyone running their A90's at or whatever cartridge you are using now.

I just put my a90 back on a running it at just on 2gms
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Me too and with the cartridge level.
ack's avatar
ack
115 posts
 
2g, +2 degrees SRA
emcgala
3 posts
 
2.23g with 91deg SRA
wrm57
1,041 posts
 
I keep it 2.18-2.2g with the tail raised half as much, on a typical 140g LP, as I raise it when adjusting from level on a 140g to level on a 180g LP, using a Triplanar VIIuii. 2g is too light for mine--it tracks fine there but becomes too lean sonically for my taste. Higher than 2g slows the transients.
wrm57
1,041 posts
 
Correction: that should read 2.16 to 2.0, not 2.18 to 2.2.
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Rega P6
80x80
Sumiko Palo Santos
80x80
J.Sikora Reference