Typo - should say move from the P5 to the P8 was not as big an improvement.
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
I've recently upgraded most of my system, but I still have a Rega P8, with Linn Krystal cartridge, which I like, but I've heard that there may be better options.
I have Sound Lab electrostatic speakers, Ypsilon Hyperior amplifiers, an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 pre-amplifier, and am thinking about an Ypsilon phono stage to match with my system, and a turntable/cartridge. I listen to almost entirely classical, acoustic music.
Based on my very limited knowledge, and simple research, I've been looking at three brands, each of which is a different type of turntable: SME (suspension), AMG (mass), and Technics (direct drive).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of turntables, and of those in particular?
Thanks.
- ...
- 293 posts total
Perhaps I miscalculated tonearm effective weight, as I did not take into account the weight of the cartridge. . . is that a simple additive process? Add the weight of the cartridge to the effective weight of the tonearm to get total effective tonearm weight, in order to determine the best compliance in a cartridge? |
Dear @drbond : " Add the weight of the cartridge to the effective weight of the tonearm to get total effective tonearm weight, in order to determine the best compliance in a cartridge? "
You have a misunderstood.because what we want through the know parameters: cartridge compliance and the tonearm effective mass+cartridge weigth+cartridge screws weigth is to know the resonance frequency in between: cartridge/tonearm that should be inside the " ideal " resonance frequency range of 8hz to 12hz.
In the other side the Ortofon Anna Diamond is an " exhausted " design that comes from around 10 years now. The Verissimo model is the Ortofon " ultimate " design incorporating new cartridge characteristics by the very first time in any Ortofon cartridge and obviously the best of the Ortofon knowledge level and skills.
The cartridge is a departure from the very well regarded Anna where instead of those heavy 16grs. goes to only 9grs and with a healthy compliance of 13cu that will track every LP recorded groove. A very hard to beat cartridge quality performance by any today LOMC cartridge.
As the 223 you don’t need to listen it before buy it, as FM Acoustics is FM Acoustics Ortofon is Ortofon: you can’t go wrong with or with SME TT/tonearm.
Here a resonance frequency calculator: https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php You can " see " that the Verissimo/SME is just at the middle of the ideal resonance frequency range: 10hz ! ! R. |
Yes, thank you for directing me to that vinyl engine calculator. So the weight of the cartridge does play a role in affecting the resonance frequency, which does put the Ortofon Verismo right in the middle of the ideal range with an 11g tonearm. It does look like the ideal cartridge! Yes, I don’t doubt the FM223 is the ideal phono stage, but currently I’m having difficulty rationalizing a $70k expense for a phono stage, when I’m just gaining significant interest in LP’s, as I probably only have 200-300 in my collection, mostly classical, but also other acoustic (folk, bluegrass, jazz, etc). Would you buy a 27 year old SME 30/2 turntable without sending it to SME for a check-up? Would the main bearings need to be replaced after 27 years? Thanks. |
- 293 posts total