The new cartridge from Acoustical Systems may finally be the LOMC to fully realise the theoretical advantages of the genus. And convince those long-suffering audiophiles to whom the 'modern' MC presentation has been anathema to 'live sound'....that the realism of vintage LOMCs like the SPUs and FR-7 series has finally been recaptured 👀 IMAGE 1 IMAGE 2 IMAGE 3 IMAGE 4 IMAGE 5 IMAGE 6 IMAGE 7
***Dear Fleib, Your strategy is not to react to the questions asked but
to persist on your theoretical assumptions.
You just stated: ''Saying the cart can not be evaluated without the
alignment, is nonsense.'' How about evaluation of any cart without any experience with the cart in question? This is bluewolf's argument which you deed not address. The reason is obvious.***
I never evaluated the cartridge, in fact I stated all along I thought it must be very good. My concerns about the post script are not theoretical. Prove me wrong.
If it's about the prairie flower and an orchid, that requires a value judgment. Some prairie flowers are more beautiful than some orchards IMO.
To those expressing concern about Dietrich I can only relay my own experience. I purchased a UNI Protractor via AudioGon maybe 6 years ago, sure it took some time to ship but not surprising for a custom product. Since then Dietrich has replied very quickly to all my emails querying questions on the use of this itemt
I recently purchased a Palladian via the US Distributor -- since then I've been in touch with Dietrich and he is making a custom shim just for me to address an issue with how my arm is mounted, note that this was not something I asked for but it was something he offered to do
All in all this is world class service and service commensurate with purchasing these sort of items from an artisan manufacturer.
Those weren't performance evaluations. Raul's last post was first hand confirmation of ethical concerns. Do you think he's lying?
Maybe Brakemeier is now wealthy enough he doesn't have to con and cheat people, but I wouldn't count on it. The titanium body is what justifies the price tag. I wonder....
Raul's last post was first hand confirmation of ethical concerns. Do you think he's lying?
You should be ashamed of yourself Fleib. How does "first-hand confirmation" equate to repeating one person's grievances from years ago, without knowledge of their veracity or merit? And without hearing the other side's version......or do you believe that common law principles are unnecessary on the Internet?
The jealous and sordid vendetta propagated by a 'failed' Mexican sociopath is able to be ignored.....but your 'excitement' at these disclosures is sickening. "Do you think he's lying?"....... About what...?! Repeating scandalous defamatory statements untested by the legal avenues available to the 'supposed' aggrieved? You should look carefully at your responses here Fleib, because to me they display a great deal about your character.
*** The jealous and sordid vendetta propagated by a 'failed' Mexican sociopath is able to be ignored.....but your 'excitement' at these disclosures is sickening.***
Mexican sociopath? I think you have it backwards mate. As far as I can see, that's a German con man. The WBF thread is from 2012, not all that long ago, but enough time to declare bankruptcy and hope it goes away?
Dear@halcro : """ And without hearing the other side's version..."""
There is " no other side version ". Look, he had all oportunities on the WBF thread and as a fact he posted there but what he posted and what was his committed he never accomplished. So where till today is the " other side version " if you have it then post here.
Here additional information from one of the gentlemans that was cheated and whom losted almost 50K!!!. For you and the other " boys " is extremely easy to talk and try to say " nothing happen " because no one of you losted not a single " dime " but I think that all of you when " defend " something about are losting a big part of the human been dignity:
""" 2. Do you know if Audiogon DID ban him from selling under his old name? 3. Are they aware he never paid me the $1000 they ordered him to pay in the case i filed? 4. I am getting evidence that the 'compressor' i bought from him and never delivered has actually been produced.It is part of the new TT he is building for people. I prepaid $17000 in late december for this turntable, but because i was getting suspicious,i got him to place the audiogon ad for $1000 for that key piece of the TT.....the compressor. It was a way to keep him accountable.2 weeks after i made a deposit, and before production started, i asked for a refund. he said by end of last january would give it. never did. and never delivered the compressor of course.
raul,i filed a dispute and won. he was supposed to pay me $1000 for goods not delivered or be suspended. that was last monday.neither has happened! """""
Til today never existed a refund to any of the cheated gentlemans. All were promises that never accomplished.
I don't care about him and I have nothing personal against him, I only post facts and information shared " everywhere " by other people.
There is no point responding to the Cabal of @rauliruegas and @fleib .They are uncovered for what they are: bitter, sad and malicious people of the narrowest of minds. The following Zen story is apt:
Merchant: Master, I would like you to teach me Zen. Zen Master: I cannot do that. Merchant: Why not? I will give you gold. Zen Master: Tea? Merchant: Sure.
The Zen Master placed a tea cup in front of the merchant and began pouring until the cup was full, and continued pouring with the tea pouring onto the table.
Merchant: What are you doing? Stop! Are you mad? Zen Master: This is why I cannot teach you. Your head is full.
But response must be made to the Cabal’s scurrilous and malicious attack on Mr Brakemeier because of:
Some bitter and twisted personal vendetta – presumably as a world-class cutting-edge designer he had the audacity to correct their babbling meanderings in the past; or
They think that the products he respects and AS products do not accord with their didactic opinions; or
All of the above.
They both are now quoting an email chain from a number of years back to support this with zero knowledge of the actual events. But hey why should that stop them. They have zero knowledge of or experience with any AS product yet they try to destroy their credibility through attacking their design attributes, the integrity of the designer and anyone with the audacity to disagree with the great Cabal. My experience with AS and that of the Audiogoner’s on this thread that have actually purchased AS products have been without fault. The Cabal even knows how blue the Spanish Infantor’s eyes are without having seen them.
Yes I like that example of the "Spanish Infantor’s" blue eyes bluewolf......😎 The saddest revelation in Fleib’s blinding adoration of the Mexican failure, is his ignorance of the terms ’First Hand’, ’Second Hand’, Third Hand’ etc. First Hand is where one witnesses the actual event itself. Second Hand is where one is told of the event by one who actually witnessed it. Third Hand is where one reads (or is told) of the second hand rendition of the event. Fleib appears to absorb the re-telling of the Third Hand rendition of the event (Fourth Hand?) as evidence of the highest stature....🙈 But why bother asking Dietrich Brakemeier for his version (as Fleib has his direct Email address) when he can besmirch his name in tandem with his sociopath Mexican buddy...💩❓ There is nothing this duo can add to the Palladian Thread.....but that doesn’t appear to present a hindrance to their unwanted presence...😷
Folkfreak - I can’t imagine spending this kind of money on a cartridge ...and then having to have a shim made for it to make it work ? For this kind of money, $15k Canadian dollars, I am talking to the manufacturer to determine his knowledge of my tonearm. I would want assurances from the manufacturer that it will fit, and be compatible. Thats just me. Good luck with it.
I am curious to know and learn what kind of rock is on the end of the cantilever of a cartridge like this?
Can I ask for some "first hand knowledge" from one of the owners ? Is it one of these types ?
None of those Chris... It is a Q4 Shibata EVO stylus as used historically for quadraphonic reproduction. You can read all this in the English translation of the German review that the North American Distributor kindly Linked in an early Post here...😎
It looks to me when you have ZERO knowledge you get easily frustrated cause the audience doesn' t provide applause. You might look for other channels or victims to blame about your own desastrious condition. Instead of being supportive or fond of exchanging positive ideas about the thread's topic you always repeat the same old stories of side scenes (what everyone else already knows) which has nothing to do with the topic at all. This kind of bullshitting is what many curious and ambitious people are not really fond of.
thx Henry too much documentation right now. using my mornings to figure out how the outdrive works on the latest boat. 8^) meant to show a link with shibata. its closest to the cutting stylus I think. Let me know if you are having a cartridge sale one day. May be interested in your Decca. (low miles right?)
@ct0517 regarding the shim. This is required simply because of the way my arm had to be installed. No fault in the cartridge whatsoever. It's simply that because my turntable was not designed for 10.5" arms there had to be some compromises in the original arm installation.
Halcro, If Brakemeier gets back to me with any new info, I'll post it.
You throw Raul under the bus in defense of...? You're the one who should be ashamed.
ct0517,
The shibata was the first extended contact tip. It preceded the line contact. The diamond is cut with a different facet on the front and back surfaces. This gives a curved contact area as the record spins, and is characterized by an extended and slightly softened high end.
There are two sizes of shibata. The review made reference to the original shibata, but was unclear whether this was in reference to size or shape. Tip dimensions were not given.
Nikola Do you think that maybe..... .just maybe....this bias could be based on the tonearms you own; compared to the reference tonearms for each of these designers ?
Dear @ct0517 : What is so " special " in that Decca tonearm?
Please read this:
"""
With little difficulty, I fitted a Koetsu Urushi, and it was blindingly obvious that this arm was optimised for the behaviour of a London-née-Decca. The London/Koetsu combination lacked the openness, air and power provided by the SME Series V, and this swap also revealed its one downside. Beyond, that is, its unappealing construction and styling, which hardly suggest £2.5k.
SCARY DEMEANOUR Tersely put, the performance lacks the absolutely robust, carved-from-solid image specificity and sheer mass of the SME Series V. Bass is well-controlled and beautifully taut, but it’s missing that mammoth-stomping-on-a-caveman weight that is beloved of orchestral music lovers and Kodo-drumming aficionados. """"
Could be better than the Ikeda but the Ikeda is not something to die for, neither.
Dear @ : You link trying to tease me makes me laugh and I mean it, I like that you tube link that unfortunatelly helps nothing in the main subjects here. If that is your " common sense " contribution to the thread then that can explain each single word in your posts including your " review ".
Why don’t do a favor to all of us putting some ligth in the next statement you posted:
""" AS product yet they try to destroy their credibility through attacking their design attributes, """"
Any one here and elsewhere wants that you tell us in each one product which one are all its design atributes and compared with....... Could you? other product owners?
Thank’s in advance.
Btw, I told you that if I was wrong that you post and tell me where and why I'm wrong and I'm still waiting for you other than more you tube or histories that is mainly what you showed in this thread.
Man, this forum sucks. Looks like some people go back and edit their post, but there is no notice of an edit.
Did any of you AS fan boys bother to look up the titanium type? Why was the formula in the review? You don't have to read German to cut and paste. I looked it up days ago and it's the only thing I asked Brakemeier about specifically.
It's a relatively new type made for high temps, up to 600° C. They use it inside jet engines and similar applications. Doesn't seem appropriate unless the aluminum content is high. That might make it softer and easier to work?
Seems like some people will say anything to protect their investment or promote their friend. Nandric, you got on my case when I criticized Raul. You declared you friendship for him, but now he's the Mexican who failed to produce a tonearm. You're a great friend.
Folk freak is the only Palladium owner here with a lick of sense.
Not sure why I'm wasting time here. I have a thread 77 pages long with over 15K posts. If I wanted abuse I could always pick a fight there. Thought I might be able to go back and say something interesting about this product or company other than the same pretentious BS. That's what the dumb head question was about - exploring all avenues and .... oh, never mind.
I just received the new SMARTscrew Timet 1100 cartridge screws from Acoustical Systems. These are so new they don't yet appear on their Website...👀 Two pairs (of different lengths) are included in the box and they are obviously made of the same titanium alloy material as the Palladian cartridge body. I wasted no time in exchanging them for the previously installed screws (which had come with the cartridge). For the past week, I have been conducting one-on-one comparisons of the Palladian and some of my other cartridges but lately have been concentrating on the SPU Silver Meister. This is such an easy comparison for me as I have the Raven AC-2 set-up with two identical FR-66s tonearms, each one pre-loaded with the relevant cartridge. Most of us devoted to high-end analogue these days......acknowledge that EVERYTHING in the chain matters... I've heard all the differences that mats (or no mats) can make.... Even the type/weight/material and design of the record weight can have an effect on the 'sound'... But far and away for me in my system.....the choice of headshell has made the most significant differences to how a cartridge 'sounds' or how many of its abilities are allowed to perform at their maximum 👐 So it should not really surprise.....that the screws fixing the cartridge body to the headshell.....can similarly affect the sound.... But it does...🤔‼️
For the previous week, the two cartridges were closely matched (a compliment to both) with little differences in the two tonal presentations. Where the Palladian had an edge was in the soundstage and transparency.....but it was 'close' 😎 Not anymore..... There was little apparent change to the tonal presentations but in the areas where the Palladian had a slight edge......it now excelled👏 The soundstage became more 3-dimensional with easily visualised, depth and instrumental-location clues. The width seemed to become wider or at least the instruments on the extreme edges, were now clearer with 'body'.... And the transparency.....❓ When you experience the illusion of instruments in space, but 'real' space....space which you can 'see' around and feel that you can walk into and importantly.....walk into, turn left, walk through then turn right and proceed even deeper to the next plane of instruments.... That's quite shocking if you haven't experienced it regularly.... But it's these screws that do it... That's the part that's hard to believe...🤔 You need these screws to extract the full capabilities of this cartridge.. So why aren't they included with the cartridge you might ask? For the same reason that the Yamamoto HS-4 carbon-fiber headshell is not included 😎
Let's face it.... If you want silver headshell leads or silver wiring in your tonearm....you must pay for it. If you want an exotic headshell of wood, titanium, carbon-fibre or ceramic....you must pay for it. If you want an active isolation table to support your turntable....you must pay for it. All these things you choose to pay for....can, or will enhance the sound capabilities of your analogue playback. These things are not for the faint-of-heart, but those of us who are mad enough...or dedicated enough....or rich enough....
For those lucky enough to be able to afford the Palladian cartridge, it's simply a no-brainer (from my experience) to buy the SMARTscrew Timet 1100 to go with it. After all.....it's the cost of the fancy headshell 😀 Which most users with 'fixed-headshell' tonearms won't even need 🤓
My problem now is..... What to do about the screws in my forty other cartridges....😱
I posted a long time ago that I first encountered Raul on a VE thread where he declared all MCs hopelessly flawed and/or distorted. This was some time after he started his MM/MI thread, maybe 8/9 yrs. ago? His command of English was much the same as today. Unspecified distortions and vaguely described flaws were hard to dispute and it was a frustrating experience. Now his posts seem longer and more repetitious.
I'm not sure if there was some kind of dispute about someone not getting a purchase from him. I thought of him as basically honest, and still do.
What's really changed is his usefulness to some other members in identifying high performing vintage carts. Some people would wait for his picks or get them by email and invest.
I've heard a couple heavy metal tunes I like, but I'm far from knowing much about metallurgy. Here's what Brakemeier said:
"I am using Timet 1100 Titanium for all my cartridge bodies due to the fact that it combines outstanding high drawing strength with about the highest transition speed in all suitable metals.This I consider of importance to get mechanical induces energy from the tracking process during playback as fast as possible through the tonearm, its bearings and into the base."
This is the same formula as in the review. Ti-6Al-2.7Sn-4Zr-0.4Mo-0.45Si
Seems like a good idea to me, although I can't confirm the specs. This is what Lewm was talking about earlier in the thread. Most of the mechanical energy of the cart does not get converted to electricity. The best idea IMO is to dissipate excess energy and critically damp any remaining.
So you buy a 10K Palladian cartridge, but you have to fork out another XX$$ to buy cartridge screws that work best with the Palladian. Give me a break. They should be included - period.
Henry - you are not making Dietrich look good with this post.
You lost me anyway saying the Palladian sounds similar to a SPU - certainly not something I am looking for in a cartridge.
But hey, that is why everyone likes different things - we all have different systems that enhance some aspects of music to other aspects.
Hi @halcro , I have also made this upgrade and it surprised me how much difference it made. But maybe it should not have given the effects unwanted vibrations not properly dealt with can have at this critical point. I also have been told, "second hand"
😀,
that they even made a difference over titanium screws made to less exacting standards.
A stop-press announcement from Acoustical Systems :-
The SMARTscrews are indeed avery recent productonly and not yet listed in our portfolio as we have just started production this November.We will offer them as a regular product starting in 2017.We gave several samples away to friends and reviewers in late November and early December. They were not included with the Palladian, as we first want to have extended feedback from various set-ups till be include them with a cartridge.The Palladian was introduced in May 2016 - 6 months before we tested the first SMARTscrews. The lack of magnetism, the drawing strength, the extremely high transmission speed of Timet 1100 Titanium do provide an almost ideal material for fixing a phono cartridge in a headshell / tonearm. We do machine these screws ourselves - you can’t find them anywhere else.
We do machine these screws ourselves - you can’t find them anywhere else.
I'm using titanium screws to mount my cartridge(s) for a while. You can find them quite easily as Grade 2 (pure Titanium, medium solidity) or Grade 5 (alloy Ti6AI4V, high solidity) products. Experimenting with a torque-limiting wrench. Much more difficult to get is Grade 4 (pure Titanium, highest solidity, seems to be available for medical application only). But I never found ready to use products (i.g. screws) of Timet 1100 (alloy Ti-6Al-2.7Sn-4Zr-0.4Mo-0.45Si, better solidity than Grade 5). At eBay, for instance, you can buy pre-product stuff only. Thus, in my experience, I take the quoted statement above as true.
@halcro - Have you ever considered to use the Arché headshell with your beloved FR-66s and the Palladian (or any of your other cartridges, of course)?
halcro - Have you ever considered to use the Arché headshell with your beloved FR-66s and the Palladian (or any of your other cartridges, of course)?
I’ve heard only good reports of the Arche headshells solong but my structural-engineering training just cannot allow me to accept the Arche’s design...😱 The headshell must be as rigid and homogenous as possible in order to resist all the vibrations and stresses caused by the cartridge, and whilst I’m sure that Dietrich has achieved the maximum rigidity his design may allow.......it simply (by its design) cannot be as structurally rigid as my preferred headshells... This is just a path I cannot travel....🙈
I have been following this thread with interest. How can one say that one's character is irrelevant with regards to whether we like and use a product developed by that individual. For example, If Hitler sold great soap would you be OK with buying that soap and saying yeah I know he's not a great guy but I love the soap so therefore I will buy it. An extreme example to be sure but it helps me illustrate the fact that everyone's character plays into everything we do at all times even into the future. I have not had any dealings with this Dietrich but have no reason to doubt Raoul's statements and therefore would really hesitate to give him a deposit for any product. Dietrich should do the right thing and settle up with these individuals or suffer consequences in the form of reduced business as a result of those shady practices. Furthermore I would never purchase a 10K cartridge as I would find it an insult to my intelligence. And yes the screws should come with it.
Nandric I like it! halcro, if we are going to stoop to the level of hurling insults at one another I could simply say "one must possess it in order for it to be able to be insulted " but I won't.
It is not funny. Moderators must banned for ever. They have just erased my post on another thread, just because I find Oyaide inferior to IeGo, Copper color, Sonar Quest. WTF? I'm running out from here once again... Goodbye
To keep this on track, Halcro, did you use a torque wrench on your cartridge screws? The tension on cartridge screws can certainly affect sonics, for all the reasons you and others reiterate. If one were to draw conclusions regarding the efficacy of this or that fastener per se, then I think torque has to be a constant.
Solong, it's fascinating that you have already done research on titanium screws. Prior to now, had you drawn any conclusions? Thanks. I've just been using aluminum or plastic screws or anything non-magnetic.
Nandric, The best I can figure out is that my post(s) were deleted because I used the word "virgin", in the context of re-telling a well known anecdote about Groucho Marx and Doris Day. Since neither Groucho nor Doris will be reading this thread, I cannot believe it was because my post(s) might have offended them. Moreover, those two would have laughed and probably did laugh. By the way, Doris is a much under-estimated chanteuse. If you have the LP of her singing with Andre Previn, it's pretty good work.
A virgin or virgine ''attribute'' is something that is very valueable. I kind of compliment . In particular by the Arabs each of them willing to give at least 6 camels for one.
To keep this on track, Halcro, did you use a torque wrench on your cartridge screws? The tension on cartridge screws can certainly affect sonics, for all the reasons you and others reiterate. If one were to draw conclusions regarding the efficacy of this or that fastener per se, then I think torque has to be a constant.
You're quite right Lewm.... Here's what Dietrich recommends:-
If you happen to have a small torque driver to use, the set value to use (ONLYwith our cartridges, as they do feature a thread in Timet 1100 material!!) is: maximum 0.85 Nm with M2.5.
Unfortunately......I don't possess a small torque driver so I had to just use the Allen Key supplied with the screws and was careful not to over-tighten 👀 After hearing the results with the Timet screws though.....I might invest in a torque-driver. Interestingly....in the latest TAS, there is a review of the latest Brinkmann Spyder turntable where the Reviewer comments:-
Like many designers, Brinkmann prides himself on using subjective evaluations. "Everything has an influence on sound", he writes. "And we have to accept that these influences are real - even if (for the moment at least) we have no scientific explanation. Each single part of the device, no matter how trivial, has an influence on sound. Yes, even the smallest screw" Through careful listening tests he discovered that replacing one of the stainless screws that affix the cantilever in the Pi pickup with a titanium brought "sound that resembled the original most closely"
We appear to be learning more about vinyl reproduction....and at a faster rate....than even the great engineers and designers in the 'Golden Age' could have imagined 🤓
I've been looking over this thread and want to clear up a couple of things. I misread Raul's "email" post and referred to it as first hand information. I thought Raul was also a victim, but apparently not. However, I believe this is actual correspondence, not fabricated.
Ortofon only offers a conventional 2 point protractor. I don't know what they offered in the past. This became part of the discussion of Uni DIN protractor and alignment. I'm under the impression that the AS alignment device is like a Dennesen SoundTractor or Feikert, only more elaborate and with different templates for different spindle size. Lewm commented in the past that AS protractor is a superior in its precision. CA has an alignment device of similar design as Dennesen. That's the one allegedly flawed, with the line of sight.
This has nothing to do with my objection to the post script I referred to previously. Many people are confused about alignment, but it's just math or measuring results.
The situation with deletions and revisions stinks. People talk about having their post deleted, but sometimes they do it, or a revision themselves as a strategy. My posts stand as is and I've made no request for a post to be deleted.
Fleib, The Titanium screws are really good. I am also using them since a month with my Palladian in the Arche headshell. It is a pitty that all the good stuff is such pricy, especially on carts. Hope you will have the chance listening to a Palladian in the next days or weeks. I would be curious what you think!
Thuchan, I usually like nuts and bolts/metal washers more than threaded holes, but that depends on the particulars. These holes have no metal insert for thread: they look like they are cut into the body. That's both good in terms of coupling and contact area, and bad in terms of playing around with torque or swapping. Titanium is usually worked by taking small slices, if you catch my drift.
Although I use removable headshells, one-piece is superior IMO. No getting around the facts of 8 additional electrical connections and a physical boundary to bounce vibrations back in the wrong direction. Of course removable types have the advantage of ease of swapping, and look at all those shells you can try, to make it sing.
I have no plans to try the cart. I spend far too much time and money with this stuff as it is. Time is the most precious thing we have and most people realize this when it's too late. I'm on this thread mostly out of curiosity and felt like digging around. I had forgotten about this one below - a couple of testimonials for the protractor:
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