Regards, Halcro: Henry my eloquent friend, I'm sitting on the edge of my chair, waiting with eager anticipation to read how you resolve the qualities of this trinity! Particularly interested in how the CA Virt. compares. I really want to pull the trigger on this cart but don't want to be, at that price, disappointed. BTW, no advantage in "pulling Nikola's beard", he has his own advantage in owning a Virt. like no other and is hence immune to all teasing, his "object" does not satisfy given conditions.
Lots of good press for the Orto 2M black. Anyone?
(Raul, you are a true gentleman!)
Peace, |
Dear Professor, If Fleib is right reg. those Clearaudio MM carts meaning that they all have, say, the same corpus but differ only qua styli, you should look at German ebay.You may be very suprised with the prices. If you need any help with German you are welcome. BTW I am not 'immune' reg. teasing. I like to tease as well to be teased.But I can't match Halcro in this capability.
Regards, |
Hi Raul,
+++++almost always, agree. I said " almost " because with that LOMC experiences I had the cartridge signal pass through more stages/steps ( gain ones. ) that with a MM/MI cartridge and performs better ?????+++++
Yes, Raul, But the question remains, how much better could the LOMC's have sounded if it didn't have all those extra stages to pass thru? As you know, everything from the recording mic. to the speakers in your listening room, and every wire, and every diode/resistor,cap, tube, transistor, etc. will place its signature onto the signal. We have not as of yet, produced a device that will pass a signal and not place some signature of some type onto it. It's all about finding what (distortions), sounds good to us. I lived thru the decade of forever vanishing distortions numbers on equipment. Remember those amps with .00015 distortaion ratings that were in every magazine available. A lot of them sounded like CRAP. People bought them anyway. Why? Because they HAD less distortion. As if buying a piece of equipment with the lowest distortion, one at the END of the reproduction chain, will be the Holy Grail path that is to be followed for best sound. The distortions (bloom), that the TK7SU has, helps my floor standing Vandersteen 5'A's develope a more believable soundstage. I love mini-monitors because of the sound stage they produce. I dislike floor standers because of sound stage they produce. The distortions in the TK7SU helps my floor standers soundstage sound more like my mini-monitors. To me, thats a good thing. How well it will track cannon shots is not on my perfered list of cartridge attributes. Most of the distortions that are present in the chain can not be altered by the end user. You buy a record (vinyl), and you are stuck with all the distortions that ocurred from the moment that that sound left the instrument to the time your stylus touched the disc. What distortions we choose to live with, alter, or settle with after that moment is the reason why there is such a large varity of different items to buy. The persuit of the elimination of distortions I feel is a flawed persuit. The elimination of distortions that have a negative effect onto our desired end goals is what I'm after.
|
Hi Timeltel,
++++You may wish you'd ordered two.++++
I had concidered ordering 2 originally but knowing that I have more cartridges (with replacement stylus), than I can ever wear out, even if I live to be 100 years old, I decided not to. What I am worried about is I will like this cartridge a lot, and from your description, I think I will, then where will I ever be able to get a replacement stylus. For 69 euro's, I might have to buy another one just for that reason alone. Hell, it's only money! |
Dear Dlaloum: That could be interesting and as you said not only for the 20SS.
In the other side, I was tempted to send my TK10ML Series2 to Alex for the Ruby cantilever but it sounds so good that I'm not sure, maybe if I buy a TK10 or AT25 stylus replacement I can send this to whole re-tip.
We have to take in count that now that you mentioned we have to remember that the top of the top Signet ever was the 100 that came with Ruby cantilever, so any one with the TK10ML could try about even the TK9 that I think has similar " motor " if not the same.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Where do you order the Acutex 420's from and how much do they cost? |
Hi Raul, You use the term distortion loosely. Because it has the connotation of a dirty word, maybe you should be more specific. Sometimes it might be voicing you're referring to, or deviation from specific response that compliments your system and expectations. After all, nothing is perfect and your expectations are based on results with other imperfect carts.
This is not to say that there are no qualitative differences. Obviously there are. All I'm saying is be specific. Yes, in a general sense a romanticized sound is colored, but is it necessarily distorted? The term distortion is usually used in the context of harmonics. Less than perfect frequency response can impart a sense of harmonic distortion or inaccuracy. Is there a thin line between colored and distorted? We all go back to what compliments out systems and taste. I think that possibly the most accurate carts tend to sound too dry for most of us. I'm not entirely sure about that. Comparing record playback to master tape sound requires some "color" to recreate that sound IMO. When a cart is voiced, isn't that akin to choosing color?
If the ultra high frequency "howling" caused by a DL-S1 or DL-304 inductance/resistance is not suppressed by capacitors in a preamp, that causes harmonic distortion. Put either of those carts through a "lesser" preamp or one with capacitors to suppress, and you can hear the sound without that distortion. I think that is the difference between distortion and voicing or color. To label your objections as distortion might be accurate to some degree if you measure it. To apply that measurement to other parameters, is inaccurate. Regards, |
Raul,
It seems to me that you have had your Acutex on order for quite some time now. IIRC someone on this thread said he received his in 10 days. Was he somewhere in Europe or here in the US? I've had tubes ordered from Russia that did take 7 weeks before arrival. I truly hope yours hasn't gotten lost! Don't mean to worry you Raul, but I did have second thoughts about ordering from Italy. A lot of horror stories floating around about Italian postage service! |
Hello Badcap, We were getting them from Italian EBAY but I just checked and there were no more at this time on that site. Sorry. There still are a few 412s and 410e cartridges.
The person listing sold 30 or more 420s so he may have more to list latter. Also a few people may sell theirs latter so keep your eyes open. |
Dear Badcap: You can contact the seller here and ask about ( 69 Euros. ): ebay@ebusinesspoint.it
or you can bid here with other seller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acutex-420-STR-/320780574024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab0031d48#ht_500wt_1282
or ask Nandric if he could put on sale one for you of the two samples he owns.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Raul, 'I am not interested in money.' That is what I told the lady next door. In the thread about stethoscope, the instrument which some of our members use to hear if their TT is dead I told that I am using my to listen to my neighbours. Ie she is unbelievable beautiful and I hope to hear him making mistakes. But I discovered that she owns a reasonable good TT (Dual 701) but with some 'no name' cart. So I am well interested how she will respond when I mention the fact that I own 'some' of 'the best' MM carts available. BTW her reaction reg. my attitude about money was: 'this is rare quality at present'. So sorry Badcup my Acutex are no for sale and I am not interested in guys in the sense of exchange 'in natura'.
Regards, |
Does anyone experience some channel imbalance with their Acutex 420 from Italy? I'm definitely getting more output from the left channel which is hard to correct even with the Balance switch on the pre-amp? |
Regards, Badcap: Search ebay, Italy, for: PUNTINA ACUTEX 420 STR. The vendor "ebusinesspoint" has just put up another ten units, 69.00 eau. Flimsy looking little cart but a surprisingly powerful performer. Not much comment on the 412STR, compares favorably to the 420 and for the price a bargain as a daily driver or stylus exchange for recordings in questionable condition.
No association, of course, arrives in about ten days (U. S.) with signature required delivery and the seller has excellent feedback. Italian Post, well--? Good luck!
Peace, |
Thanks everyone for your help I just placed an order for the Acutex 420. |
Dear Fleib, Raul is on a ever lasting hunt for distiortions. His lifetime goal is freeing the world of distortions. I heard he is preparing building an apparature to get rid of distortions where ever they will move to.
We need to understand this good motivation....
Best @ Fun Only |
Regards, Halcro: Henry, I heard a little of that with my example, it was necessary to re-align after several hours. Grain & glare, hf's & mids, image off center. Twisted cart slightly counterclockwise (the OGD was greater than IGD), & added a touch more antiskate, centering vocalist by ear. Also double-checked azimuth. Leveled the headshell, lowered the stylus on the shiny side of a CD. Inspected with a jeweler's loupe, the stylus and it's reflected image composed a "perfect" hour glass configuration. Nailed it, now good to go.
If any of this helps, I'll be pleased. As one who is sincerely concerned only with that which is in your best interests, my advice is to align the Acutex 420 by ear and send your otherwise excellent alignment 'tractor to me, just so you'll not then be tempted to rely exclusively on it ;^).
Peace, |
Dear Griffithds: Well, that an audio item/device has low measured distortions means only that: low distortions but in no way can tell me how it will perform. Anyway, a low measured distortions ( any kind. ) is a good step to start.
+++++ " The distortions (bloom), that the TK7SU has, helps my floor standing Vandersteen 5'A's develope a more believable soundstage. " +++++
I like Vandersteen speakers and due that the distributor here is at almost two bloks from my place I heard all its models ( some at the show room and other in my system like the subwoofers. ).
By coincidence, in one time of my trips to USA showing the Essential 3160 and knowing great Agoner gentlemans one of the demostration was at an audio distributor show room in San Diego with those Vandersteen 5A you own along VPI TT and Lyra Skala cartridge. That was a fabolous time hearing that audio system and " talking " /knowing great people.
I can't understand very well on what you mean about improve the speakers soundstage.
Are you telling me that you need a " faulty/distorted " cartridge/audio link to improve it?. IMHO if you are not satisfied with what you heard through other top cartridges but the " colored " one then your system has a problem some where and IMHO you need to " research " it and determine where and what is and then fix it.
I don't know you but I can't tolerate ( in my mind. ) a " colored " audio link that came to " improve " the system quality performance, this kind of " synergy " is out of my audio book many " moons " now.
+++++ " How well it will track cannon shots is not on my perfered list of cartridge attributes. Most of the distortions that are present in the chain can not be altered by the end user. " +++++
well, we almost can't do nothing to change/modify the cartridge tracking " self " abilities but knowing its limitations/virtues about could help to understand not only what is happening down there but when we make cartridge comparisons. IMHO everything the same the cartridge with the best tracking abilities , through my experiences, always makes the difference for better quality performance level.
Yes, several of the distortions that are present in the audio chain can't be altered for the end user but some of those distortions can be fix it if the end user is aware of those distortions but the main problem is that a lot of end users never are aware of it and this is because and thank's to the AHEE. We can eloiminate or lower many of those distortions that you think you can't: you can if not only been aware of it but what to do about. In the latest years this was one of my main audio targets in my audio system.
+++++ " The elimination of distortions that have a negative effect onto our desired end goals is what I'm after. " ++++
till today I did/do not found out a distortion that I need it in my system for it sounds better. Dear Griffithds, the knowledge level about " be aware " and " kill distortions " is a long proccess that each one has to discover alone.
I can't help you to much about but what I can tell you is that when you are inside that proccess the rewards are just great/wonderful/colossal: you discover a new audio world that can't even imagine is in your system ready to show-up.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hello Halcro, Image seems normal to me so far. Bigger than normal but I am adjusting to the Transfi arm which has moved everything to a whole new level.
I hope this defect is not a trend. Was there a return period on these? The seller has a lot of stock. |
Hi Raul,
That store in San Diego, was it perhaps, Stereo Unlimited, owned by my dear friend, Bruce. A lot of my money has filter thru his hands. I was a member of that Audio Guild that met there. I have since retired and moved from San Diego up to Idaho. Great place to live and work, Expensive place to retire. Raul, we are on the same page on this distortion issue. It's just that after 50+ years, I have decided to give up on chasing the unobtainable and just do the best I can with what I have. Constantly throwing money at equipment for the sake of reducing distortion, is a never ending quest. Raul, I have owned the 2ce's, traded them for the 3A, traded them for the 5's, then upgraded the 5's to the 5A's. They all present a soundstage that places you in the upper level of a venue, looking down at the performers. The 5's less so. All of them string the player out on a straight line, left to right. Seldom, do the place drums left center 5ft back from the singer. The vocalist is never looking you in the eye singing. This is not a slam of Vandersteens, it's just the way they are. Most floor standers throw a flat, left to right soundstage. The Vandersteens do a lot of things right that's why I have owned 4 versions of them. But I can guarentee you, they do NOT image well. My Rogers LS3/5A's ran rings around them all. My current monitors, the Triangle 30th aniversary edition Cometes and my Titus 202's trounced the Roger's in not only imaging but vocals, bass slam, and efficiency. The incomming signal is what it is. One speaker spreads the soundstage out in all directions. The outher does not. Which speaker is distorting THE signal? They both can't be right. The signal is what it is!
++++if you are not satisfied with what you heard through other top cartridges but the " colored " one then your system has a problem some where ++++ I never said nor did I mean that I was not satisfied with my other cartidges. If every cartridge sounded the same, we would only own one! Every cartridge I own sound different than everyone of the other. They each have different DISTORTIONS therefor will sound different.
++++some of those distortions can be fix it if the end user is aware of those distortions+++
Yes Raul, My floor standing speakers don't image well therefor being the end user and being aware of this type of distortion, I choose a cartridge the distorts the soundstage into something more believable. Your quest is to have a system that eliminates all distortions. That is your goal. Knowing what was produced ahead of your sound system (the recording process), I don't think you will ever be happy in your quest. If your happiness is the actual quest, well then march on! BTW. I do not use the TK7SU with the monitors. I perfer the distortions of the Virtuoso with the Triangles. |
Hi Raul,
I just remembered an experiment that I had the opportunity to witness that I would like to tell you about. I pertains to distortions. Back in I think about 1975, an experiment was performed on the Rogers LS3/5a's that taught me something. When the speaker was designed, they (the designers), incorperated in its frequency responce, a base bump in its lower fequences. This form of distortion gave the small monitors the appearance of having more bass then they really did have. The experiment consisted of removing that bass bump. Both the bump and the removal of it was accomplished in the crossover network. With the distortion removed, I can assure you Raul, there was not an improvement in the sound of the speaker. They became quite aniemic sounding. This distortion insert, improved this little speaker into something that all mini-monitors compare themselves to all around the world. Truly was a world class speaker. A funny thing tho Raul, the LS3/5a's had a trait that absoulutly drove me crazy. There is a nazel honk (distortions), that they sometimes produce. I absolutly hated it when it occured. When the bass boost was removed, we could not get that honk to repear. Just giving you all the facts! Take care friend!
Regards, Don
|
Dear Griffithds: Yes, was Stereo Unlimited: good people there.
+++++ " Knowing what was produced ahead of your sound system (the recording process), I don't think you will ever be happy in your quest. " +++++
I can't do nothing for what's out of my control, even that I try to do it and that's why in our phonolinepreamp we designed with the Neumann correction at the phono stage. What's out of mi control does not cares me and I don't worry about. I worried where I can " play " where I can make improvements and that's all.
I'm not only happy with my quest but overwhelming by this " distortions " quest. You can be my guest any time you can/want to know what I'm talking about.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Raul,
From the deepest part of my heart, I thank you for the offer to be your guest. Perhaps some day!
Your Friend, Don |
Dear Professor and Danny, The 'key' to your timely advice........was 'anti-skate'! I normally utilise minimal anti-skate on all my arms but for some reason.......perhaps because it uses 'dynamic' (spring-loaded) anti-skate.....the Micro Seiki MA-505 has always sounded 'tilted' to the left channel on most of my cartridges. By winding the anti-skate to its maximum and moving the lateral balance weight to the outer extreme......and yes Professor....re-adjusting the azimuth so that the level of the cartridge body marks a perfect horizon to the record.......you have helped me cure the problem :^) Many thanks once again. And thank you again Danny for this Italian 'discovery'. The bargain of the month indeed! Regards Henry |
Hi Halcro,
I am quite relieved to hear it actually wasn't a cartridge problem concidering mine hasn't arrived yet. Thank you for keeping the rest of us informed!
Regards, Don |
Regards, Griffithds: On the TK7SU, there is a cadre of experienced listeners who also find much to like about the cart. It certainly doesn't sell (quickly) for the prices asked because of it's beauty. If soundstage is a concern then you might find the Acutex 420 does a very good job with imaging. The previous TOTL LPM 320STR 111 should not be overlooked, it's a another really good cart. (IMHO.)
"--let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself." From the existentialists' playbook, "Desiderata"; by Max Ehrmann
Peace, |
Hi, Halcro: Glad you got it ironed out, don't fail to revisit the LPM 315. If your experience mirrored mine, the bass performance just took a step forward, midrange harmonics clarified.
Now, 'bout that protractor---
Peace, |
Hi Don, I, like you, Timeltel and Audiofeil ......do enjoy the Signet TK-7SU. If you are ever lucky enough to hear the elusive TK-7LCa........you may find you have reached the mountain top? :^) The Acutex 420 which you soon will have....should please you immensely. Cheers Henry |
Hi Halcro and Timeltel,
I have spend quite abit of time looking for the 7LCa stylus. I had a lot of hrs. on my 7SU and did have the loose fitting stylus shell. Thanks to Timeltel, he turned me onto a Akai RS180 replacement, the transformation took place. I'm in that position were you can't miss what you never heard. Therefor I'm quite happy with my 7SU as it is. I'm still looking for a LCa, but now that I have a new stylus with a tight fitting shell, it's not that big of a priority. Looks like the only Acutex 420 remaining to buy is on the UK site, up for bids. |
Dear griffithds: +++++ " I truly hope yours hasn't gotten lost! Don't mean to worry you Raul, but I did have second thoughts about ordering from Italy. " +++++
Now, I'm worried because I think it took to much time, I send an email to the seller asking about but I don't receive answer yet.
Meanwhile today I bought a mint LPM320IIISTR ( I took this cartridge for lower price that the stylus replacement price for this same cartridge. ) and I'm thinking on a shot-out " evening " between: M320IIISTR Improved, LPM315IIISTR, LPM320IIISTR, LPM420STR and LPM315III-VdH. We will see what I can find out there. Maybe I will add to those Acutex the Azden one that had the same builder ( Azden. ) origine.
Meanwhile too I'm preparing to make some changes in the MM/MI stages in my Essential 3160 that I think could help in a better way to that comparison. I already did it in the MC stages and the result was really good. Was so good that now I have LOMC contenders for the top cartridge performance title.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hi Raul,
I have been cruising the world net looking for amoung other things, the 320IIISTR thanks to your review. None of the Acutex's show up very often. Actually damn near never! The Italian stash that we have all been buying from was a great find. I hope you do throw in the Azden. If nothing else, it will at least be a point of reference for alot of us when you compare it to the group. My 420STR should be here (10 days since ship), by Tuesday. I sure hope yours shows up! It would be nice to have it in the mix as well. Knowing that the 3xx and the 4xx series are not interchangable, it will be nice to discover what their differences really are. I did run across a replacement stylus for the 320III. It didn't say wether or not it was a STR? I thought about buying it but I have been burnt doing that before. Having a body, or a stylus and not being able to find the other half to make a complete cart so I decided to wait. I figured I would mention it in case your looking for one.
Regards, Don |
Dear Griffithds: We need some luck on the cartridge hunting. The LPM320IIISTR that I bought yesterday was listed only a few hours ( ebay ) before my bid.
I'm sure that if not me other person bought it for sure. So this kind of deals goes fast and if we are lucky enough we can take it, just like me. I'm sure that this kind of " history " already was experienced by other people here.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hi Raul,
A few years ago, you started this thread. One of your early recommendations was a cartridge in which I own. It has been quite a while since I had it in my system, mainly because of all the other gems we have been sharing. Our new treasures sort of to speak. Digging thru my cartridge drawer, I run across the Empire 4000D3. Not hearing it in quite a long time, I placed it back into my system. I had forgotten just how wonderfull this cart. sounds. It's like the music is just floating around space, hipnotizing you. I think I'm going to leave this one mounted for a while. The word WOW, just doesn't do this cartridge justice............... I had to wait for the record to end for me to finish this responce. It wouldn't let me think. Amazing, just amazing! |
Hi guys, I have been away from here for awhile. I just reviewed all the emails that were posted since my last one, in hopes of finally finding out what MC cartridge has caught Raul's fancy. No luck.
Although I had successfully avoided for several months the purchase of yet another MM cartridge, I did buy that 420, because as you know I like the 320 so much. It arrived from Italy fairly promptly, within 2 weeks, I think. Raul, hope you get yours.
Dear Raul, I am in a way sorry that you have modified your phonolinepreamp recently. (Perhaps this is not the first time since 2008, the year of the birth of this thread, that you tinkered with the circuit?) Your system should ideally be held constant while you make these relative judgements among cartridges, for our sakes if not for yours. The alternative is to start all over to evaluate the same cartridges with your newly modified phono stage. That is not my idea of fun, so I would never blame you if you don't do it. Can you at least say WHY you cannot reveal the identity of the MC that has at least caught your fancy? I suspect it is because there is more than one among which you are trying to choose. Much as I like the MM/MI "alternative", there remain several MCs I want to try when I can afford them, including Transfig Orpheus, Lyra of some type, stone-bodied or Platinum Koetsu, maybe Ortofon A90. Used to own a Denon DL103 and that might be worth revisiting. I don't know what to expect from any of the foregoing cartridges, except that they will be "different" from what I have been listening to. |
Griffithds I could not agree with you more. Record after record this super cartridge throws a wide deep stage superior from top to bottom. No doubt about it 4000d3 will provide hour after hour of musical enjoyment. Which stylus assembly do you have? I have the gold version nos. |
Hi Stltrains,
I have both versions. It wasn't by choice. I did not even know there were 2 versions until this thread. I've lost to much high fequency in my hearing to tell if there is any difference! To many years of loud noise in the aircraft industry. Theres a richness to the sound thats hard to put into words. Magical might fit. |
Hi Lewm,
I've got a 103R that I recently returned to my system for a breif listen. After a steady diet of good MM/MI cartridges, the 103R was a susprise. It's very clean sounding and quite (no surface noise), but there is a lot of music missing. It's sort of startling at first, and you do get use to it evenutally. It must be the conical stylus. It must just ride over some of the information, not thru it, so it doesn't capture everything in the groove. |
Dear ds, That is my impression too when I go back to some MCs compared to my fave MM/MI cartridges. The MC will seem to have a lean-ness that makes one feel there are empty spaces where once there was music. But I feel like my experience of MM/MI cartridges is now much broader than of MC cartridges. And because of the higher cost of MCs, I may never fill in the gaps. I will just have to select out a few of the supposedly great ones and audition them one at a time. |
Dear Don, please give an audition to the Transmission Audio M1i minimonitors if it is possible. Dear Lewm, a special order Condor for your taste & system demands can easily surpass a Colibri Platinum. Maybe the SUSSURO is missing from your list but is not counted as MC. For me the Olympos and Clearaudio Statement were going to remain permanently out of my reach and I really lost my appetite for more losted $$$ in lesser samples been Lyra or Zyx or Transfiguration, Benz e.t.c. I've taste their flavor and it's not for my needs. I'm sorry for I can't enjoy you in the MM theme. My first sample (a Grace F9E) brokes before optimisation of the input R from 47K to 100K and above that the pf in cables was inappropriate (the standard SAEC tonearm cable for MC). So my impression is not valid. Another thing that I've noticed was that I need more output than the 3.5mV offered by Grace. Right now I'm stacked with Decca REF/PLUTO 9A and Vdh CONDOR/SAEC WE308SX, but I appreciate any suggestion for my second MM sample (although the less than 6gr weight is problem for my SAEC with the 15gr Zonotone Z-SHELL 10 headshell). I was forced to substitute the 18gr Saec ULX3S in order to provide the correct IEC alignment. I've rewire my Saec with VDH MCS 150M directly from cartridge to my phonostage but left it unshielded for max resolution. (the hum makes the Decca unlistenable here). My take is that something is missing on both of my cartridges. They are at the extreme opposites of liveness & finesse and both of them are great but I feel that I can't choose between these qualities. I need a cartridge of whatever it's origin that have them both. Any advice please? PS : I regret that I don't give a chance to MP500 & AT150MLX till now but unfortunatelly have also lower output than even the Grace. How about the new ($3000) Grado Statement 1 with 0.5mV ? Is this also hum sensitive? |
Anyone have any back ground knowledge of a company out of Ohio USA ,Astatic?
I ask because of a replacement stylus that I have for the Empire 4000 D-3 from this company marked on box Astatic NMR Series, Empire EM 114-qd.
Raul, I am also curious of this new or re-visit MC you have found to be so fantastic. You seem to want to keep it a secret for now, however will you allow one question?
Would this MC performance bring a close to your currant evaluation of top MM and MI cartridges?, NOT that I want to see that of course, the gulf between price and other associated costs for MCs in general can be disheartening. |
|
Dear Fleib: I agree on your " distortions " post.
There are different kind of distortions and different level on it. It is not only difficult but time consuming that every time I post I had/have be specific and clear about distortions. So, what I made it is that performance colorations always is a result of some kind of distortions elsewhere the audio chain: noise, frequency deviations, tracking error, intermodulation distortion, harmonic distortion, wrong overhang, wrong SRA, room distortions, etc, etc.. All these on my posts are colorations, that's it that are deviations/(distortions from the " perfect path " even that we know there is no " perfect " nothing at all.
I do what I do to make audio life more " easy ".
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Griffithds/Stltrains: IMHO I think that no one here can't dispute the greatness of the Empire4000D3, certainly not me that I really like it.
The Empire sample I own is the " original/first " one not the Gold. A few months ago one of my friends borrowed to me his Gold and even that both are similar IMHO are a little different and not only because the different cartridge body but because through microscope both stylus shape are not the same. These two facts, cartridge body and stylus shape, makes a small difference in favor of the non-gold model on both frequency extremes where in the high one the " original " seems to me not only more extended but precise with lower distortions.
Anyway, two cartridges that IMHO are a must to own/listen.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Geoch, Interesting, your remark about the Condor. I owned a high output Colibri, and while I thought it was very very good, I decided maybe I should also audition a low output one. I forgot to put that one on my list. You think the Condor is superior to the Colibri, I take it. I am also guessing that when you wrote "Colibri Platinum" you really meant to write "Koetsu Platinum". I admit I have a weakness for Koetsu based only on the Urushi, which I still like while also recognizing its imperfections. I part company to some degree with Raul and his fetish for eliminating "distortions" (which in his parlance can mean whatever he wants it to mean). I have a feeling that the reproduction process is inherently flawed both in errors of omission and then errors of addition that occur in the making of the software. Therefore, it has occurred to me that serendipitous "distortions" can actually restore to the LP the sense that one is listening to real music played by real musicians, which is the sensation I seek, as opposed to lowest measurable distortion. This might be why I do not like record weights, for example. |
Dear Geoch: IMHO these are some alternatives that could help you on the MM/MI experience:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT155LC-CARTRIDGE-RARE-GENUINE-ATN-152LP-LINEAR-CONTACT-STYLUS-/160672893588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2568d9ca94#ht_2114wt_1031
and here the 155LC original stylus replacement ( due that the cartridge on ebay came with a lower step stylus model. ):
http://www.stereoneedles.com/Merchant/audio-technica.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonic-Research-Sonus-Gold-Blue-MM-Phono-Cartridge-NOS-/230693086968?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b66126f8#ht_642wt_1265
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-Technics-EPC-P205CMK3-cartridge-/150683724890?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2315732c5a#ht_675wt_147
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1323124435&/Clearaudio-Virtuoso-wood-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Empire-1000-ZE-X-MM-Cartridge-/320783947733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab03697d5#ht_500wt_1282
http://www.pickupnaald.nl/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=4160
http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGAT95SA.html
Why not buy all?!!!!
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear In_shore: That Astatic is only an after market stylus commercial company. No, their Empire 4000 are not near the original ones.
I will disclose the LOMC subject when I finish my today global comparisons. } Yes, IMHO outperform those top MM/MI ones. Money is no issue here, only quality performance level.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Lewm, the Colibri that I mention is my XPP (nylon-plastic body, platinum coils). Only 60 pcs have made. The output was strictly 0.22mV for all of them. The only one that betters this, was the first production "The Kolibrie" with copper coils, 0.175mV output & a very small carbon-plastic body of 3.5gr total mass. The advantage of the Condor upon all the Colibries, hides to the almost perfect match with your prefered music program, phonostage, tonearm, output voltage, body weight ... he even ask you about your best-ever & most beloved cartridge that you ever had! when you decide to put your order. No limit to your demands. The Colibri has a delicate touch with sharp detail, but your tailor made Condor can move your senses more credibly with it's body & dynamic impact. I agree about the LP stabilisers, record weights and peripheral rings. Something like a braided cable with too much shielding that act like a filter or like an overdamped TT chassis. About the Koetsu theme, recently I've read a very interesting statement about the lossy/baggy Belt Drive character and the great influence on Koetsu's sound, so I need to revisit perhaps a Jade Platinum with my new TT. What is your MM or MI recommendation? I'm looking for the Decca sound without the hum & microphonics but with the airiness & the extention of an MC. Dear Raul, thank you once again for your valuable help but I'm somewhat confused about the quantity of your choises. I know that this is due to your countless arm & headshell pairs but I really can't proceed in this way. I understand it is so difficult to find an MM/MI cartridge that performs better than others in the majority of tonearms, but I just want to have ONLY ONE ! The cantileverless Decca experience was an unexpected enlightenment for me but I'm not expecting to find it's qualities on a sample of a different origin. Different species. Do you have any suggestion? BTW don't say that your fav MC is the Lyra Olympos or the Clearaudio Statement ... PLEASE! I've decide to say no more and put an end at last. It's about time for me. After all I live in Greece. |
HI Raul,
++++not only because the different cartridge body but because through microscope both stylus shape are not the same.++++
I was not aware that there were different bodies! Could you give more detail as to what differences are. I'm always on the lookout for these. Thanks Raul. |
Raul most interesting on the differences you mention concerning the bodys of yours and the loner 4000d3. You detect sonic differences what did you notice that's different of the builds if the bodys? I've compared the picture in your review with mine tough to pick up anything different. I have discovered that empire has at least 3 different stylus assembly s Rauls version a silver colored with the line under the empire name and the gold type. I have a version like Rauls coming my way. |
Dear Griffithds: One is the one I own and you already seen in my review. The other one, the Gold, instead the mounting metal clip came with a more normal plastic 1/2" top cartridge plate. Its cantilever is a gold one and the stylus is something named " paralinear ". Tarcks at different VTF than mine and performs too a little different. Yes, I prefer the one I have.
There are several after market stylus replacement but the only " valid " for the one I own is the one you seen in my review with the gold Empire name in the stylus guard along the golden curl simbol.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Geoch: That's my Colibri and its weight is not 3.5 grs. but 2.5 grs, great performer.
No, were not either the Olympos or the Cjearaudio: IMHO top MM/MIs are better than these LOMC ones.
In the other side, you was asking for the 3K Grado. With this kind of money you can buy all the ones in my post/list along some LPs.
Please, make the same question to some of the people in this thread and I think that if they can they buy all them. Don't worry about one tonearm or so many cartridges instead of one: IMHO you need all and after you tested all then decide which one be for you and put on sale the remaining ones that you can sold fast and maybe for more money that what you invest on it.
Anyway, your question is not for me: I think different than you. Btw, some of the ones in that list are very hard to find out and you are lucky " you " found out.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |