Has anyone else had to run their P8ES with negitive VTA? I have been fighting the dreaded ssssssssss with mine. I have spent days tweeking it left then right, slight forward, then slight back. Always with 0 degree VTA or +, then ++, up to +++. Bass and treble responce would change but never the sibilance (sssssssss)! Not until I went to (negitive), - VTA. I have not hit THE spot yet but I'm getting there. This is the Axel's rebuild of the Super Nova VdHII version that he sells. If I can tame the ssssss (damn near there), this cartridge would earn high marks from me. Very musical. Regards, Don
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Hey Don its been the opposite here regarding vta. My micro looking at the arm I'm up more than slightly. I started out very close to level and made small adjustments until bass started leaning out. Now i am using a original akg es. I had a fine afternoon spinning vinyl enjoying another diamond in the rust.
Raul my nos p8e arrived today along with a w Thacker es from a fine Balkan fellow. With your thoughts with e I'll run my e in and see how my ears feel about this subject.
This revelation by Raul to revisit MM is not just about musical enjoyment its plain fun and for me the least expensive have been the best performers. At this time since my revisit my winners are p8es, 320 short noise, 4000d3 and the all time best value 312 long noise. I have several like a cartridge i had back in the day m20fls e and several others still waiting there turn.
Man i love this stuff Mike |
Hi Mike, 'Axel is Foxtan?'. Axel from Germany moved to Hong Kong? BTW Halcro warned me against this seller from Hong Kong. Where is Halcro btw? |
Hello nandric thought axel was the retipper fellow and foxtan in emails to me went by alex. Ok now whos on first base. Mikr |
Hi Mike, I am sorry but I have no idea what you are talking about. I assume that you bought the AKG P 100 from foxtan as defective and then posted the cart to Axel for the retip? To my knowledge Axel has a good reputation while foxtan does not. If your P 100 is still problematic after Axel's repair then you obviously need to return the cart to Axel for the 're-repair'. It looks as if you blame both but your reasons are not clear. |
Dear Nikola, By now you may already realize that the name of the actual person behind the eBay entity called "Foxtan" is Alex. It is just a coincidence that he and your favorite Dutch(?) cartridge repairer have the same first name. I believe Mike has been dealing with Foxtan/Alex, because that is where he bought the P100LE. I have done business with Foxtan, too, and I have no basis for complaint. So it would be of value if you could tell me/us specifically what problems you know about, as regards doing business with Foxtan. He finds and sells a lot of juicy vintage analog stuff that guys like us covet, e.g., tonearms, step-ups, and cartridges. |
Dear Lew, As you should know I (and Raul) recommended Axel. Anyway I feel responsible for my recommendation. Besides I know Axel personaly and am sure that he lives in Germany. Not in Hong Kong. Halcro bought his first TT 101 from foxtan and lost $250 to return the TT as defective. His comment: ''crooks don't come from Japan''. However I have difficulty to understand your intermediary position. Why do you think that you can explain the issue? Buying something from two persons at the same time is not very usual. More in particular when one of them lives in Hong Kong and the other in Germany. I will rather wait for Mike's explanation.
Regards, |
Dear Nikola, I must say I am completely stumped by your response. Apart from the fact that you did answer my only question by relating Halcro's experience with Foxtan, I don't understand why you impute to me any other motive for my post. I asked you a question about Foxtan, and you have answered it. There was no other intent on my part, except to say that the human being behind the Foxtan name is someone named "Alex". My errors were to say that your guy (in Germany, not Holland) is Alex when he is Axel. (This also begins to sound like Abbott and Costello.) Anyway, thanks for the information. It would seem that Halcro was angry, because he had to pay return shipping for his defective TT101 but that Foxtan did refund at least the initial cost. I think Henry was justified; Foxtan should have paid shipping. However, this incident would not deter me from doing business with Foxtan, perhaps with an advance agreement about what happens if the product needs to be returned. |
Dear Lew, You wanted to explain to me the confusion caused, according to you, by the coincidence that both persons have the same first name. But I am not confused because the persons in casu have different first name: Axel is the person from Germany and Alex (alias 'foxtan') from Hong Kong. I returned two items to foxtan and got my money back not because he is a nice guy but because I have ebay and paypal protection. The money is 'blocked' by paypal for some time for this purpose. Anyway in Europe.
Regards, |
Hello all alex/foxtan has been in contact with me and i believe trying to help. My self and eric have had good buying experience s with him. He has offered to send the le to vdh. Im thinking of sucking it up and send myself for repairs.
My appologys to all here for bringing my dirty laundry to this fine thread. Mike |
Hi Mike, I am glad to hear that Axel is no way involved by your AKG P 100. Anyway not yet. I also understand that the names look similar (Alex versus Axel) and can cause some confusion. 'Anyway not yet' means in this case that I am also not able to approach Van den Hul directly (Mike asked me if I can). Ie we in Holland also need some dealer as intermediary. But I can ask Axel whatever you want.
Regards, |
hello Nandric your kind offer has my sincere thanks and yes do ask axel. Mike |
I wanted to touch base on the Sonus Gold Blue.After about 35 hrs. I can say it is very good. I thought for the longest time it sounded like a Grace 9e with extension on bottom and top, but has become more neutral the last 10 hrs. The great midrange has blended nicely with the bass and HF.
I will remind everyone that I had two stylus failures and one motor failure,from 3 different vendors, but in the long run it is worth it and I will have other stylus suspension repaired.
The gentleman selling them NOS was very kind and offered compensation, so I got the feeling you would get some help with any problems. |
Hey Stltrains, Let me know when you get to your Othofon M20FL. I have been looking for a reason to retest mine.
That was the first cartridge I checked out from this thread. Sort of an entry drug from El Diablo.
Danny |
Greetings Nandric,
I may have been quiet recently.......but I have been silently lurking :-) Many changes to my system (Shindo power conditioner, Cardas Clear balanced interconnects, Cardas Clear speaker cable and Vandersteen Active bypass crossover for the 2Ws subwoofers) have raised the resolution quality to another level which has necessitated re-assessment of my previous cartridge/arm/turntable opinions. This assessment process.....because of all the variables involved with the multiple combinations of cartridge/arm/turntable available to me.....is extremely lengthy (yet enjoyable).
In regards to Alex(Foxtan)........let me say that for many years, I have had a successful relationship with him.....having bought cartridges, headshells, tonearms and even my original Victor TT-81 DD turntable. With the TT-101 for which he had been searching on my behalf for a year or so........he stated that it was in perfect working condition. When we agreed on a price, he delayed sending it for a week claiming it was being checked by his 'technician'. I then sent him a 'checklist' for his 'technician' to go through which included:- *Both speeds to be accurate *Brake function to be operational He again assured me.... "Hi Henry, As usual all my item are tested and confirm in good working condition before I list it. Regards Alex" When I received the TT-101.....I had to write back:- "Hi Alex, The TT-101 arrived today and I must say how disappointed I am after all the care I took in confirming that it was in perfect working condition? 1)The 'Power' switch does not function at all. It is always 'ON'. 2)The 'Stop' switch has no 'braking' action at all. The platter continues to spin. 3)The motor makes a continuous noise at both 33 & 45 speeds. 4)The motor switches off by itself after 20 seconds of operation on both speeds. The cosmetic appearance of the table is fine but its operation could not be more dysfunctional. Could you please inform me how to organise a return postage and refund?"
After I sent the turntable back (at a cost of $250)......I never again heard from Alex (despite many Emails).....nor was a refund forthcoming. I had to go through PayPal Disputes to finally have them process a refund which didn't include the return postage.
Does one bad transaction make for a 'bad' Dealer? Probably not......but his snaky behaviour during and after the transaction sure leaves a bad taste :-( |
Hello Halcro, Henry, good to hear from you and about your system improvements. Did your reevaluation change or confirm your earlier assessment of your cartridges? Any new champions?
Also, been wanting to ask for a long time but what changes did the Mr T make? I know it's off topic but maybe a short answer since we can't email anymore.
Danny |
Greetings Danny,
The only reason I ventured into Mr T territory.........was that the electrical supply for my street was being upgraded....a process which lasted nearly 6 weeks.....and every day they were working on the cables......the sound from my TT-101 was unbearable?! (It didn't seem to affect the Raven AC-2 so much due perhaps to its own power supply for its speed regulator?) The Shindo Mr T power conditioner fixed this problem (but of course the street power supply was finished 3 days after Mr T arrived :-() I now have both turntables and the Halcro Preamp running off Mt T and have no issues with 'variable' sound :-) Recommended if one suffers these issues?
There have been many surprises in my re-evaluation of cartridges Danny.....and I have been feeling slightly sheepish about 'hearing' things so clearly now....which evaded me entirely before? There are many cartridges which now have slipped down the rankings whilst some (including my three LOMCs)......have risen significantly. This seems to be the result of the noise-floor having dropped spectacularly due to the Cardas Clear cabling.....especially the Interconnects which are now running in balanced XLR configuration?
The top MM cartridges like the Professor's beloved Signet TK-7LCa and the Empire DIII/Gold have reinforced their status (although their strengths....and weaknesses....have been highlighted by the increased performances being extracted from the DV-1s, FR-7f and UNIverse. Most of the other MMs in my collection are displaying weaknesses of which I was unaware in my System's previous iteration? Is this a good thing or not?? Definitely good!! I can't seem to stop listening these days.....especially to one particular cartridge on one particular arm on one particular turntable. That's why this process is so long :-) Cheers Henry |
Dear Halcro, Glad to 'see' you back but it may be a mixed blessing. I kind of feel very smart with my latest acquierements (2x Virtuoso for $250 each,etc.) but if I will need cables for > $10 K to enjoy them then this is of course a different proposition. I am very reluctant to even touch the cable subject but to my mind those are what Raul called 'Ahe things'.
Regards, |
Ahh Nikola, How I enjoy your sardonic sense of humour :^) Your posts......and philosophical torture tests....have kept me smiling in bed on my iPad. You exaggerate the costs of the Cardas Clear by a factor of two........and there are much more expensive cables in the market place. After 30 years with my Cardas Hexlink.......I think I have amortised the costs fairly well? I am not necessarily advising everyone to 'upgrade' their cables to achieve less distortion, lower noise floor and greater transparency..........I'm merely struggling to re-assess all my favourite records and discovering value in records I rarely played. The differences between cartridges I have found.........are not comparable to the fundamental transformation able to wrought by such items as cables? Ideas such as this.....can indeed be a danger to your wealth?! As always |
The girls at around 18 are probable not (any) more interested so one become lyrical about the cables...in order 'to achive less distortion, lower noise floor and greater transparancy...' Such kind of talk is much more dangerous then the innocent philosophical speculation for the sake of argument.
Regards, |
I guess Paypal in Australia and Europe is more proactive than the US version. About three years ago, I bought a Dynavector tonearm from someone in New York. The item was not only defective (collapsed horizontal bearing) but also missing several major parts. The seller was a true sociopath who lied to me for several weeks in the form of reassuring me that he was about to send or had sent the missing parts, etc. Finally, when I realized that I was in the hands of a psycho, I went to Paypal, they said they could not help me to recoup my money. But the guy on Paypal was kind enough to refer me to VISA. It was only via my VISA card (and because I had paid with VISA via Paypal) that I was able to recoup about half of what I had paid. Ever since then, I make sure to use my VISA when purchasing via Paypal.
While there is a lot of talk about competent cartridge repairers, does anyone know of a reliable and skilled person who can re-wire tonearms without damaging the bearing, preferably in the US? I would really like to re-wire at least two of my vintage tonearms (Kenwood L07J and FR64S), but even with my DIY bent, I am loathe to take on the job for myself. |
Dear Lew, My money from the sold items via ebay and payd for via paypal is blocked for 21 days by paypal. Only after this period I can use my money. So the 'protection' offered by ebay/paypal combo is not at their cost. For your FR -64 look at : FR-64 S Thomas Schick. The best address to rewire your FR-64s is 'our' Dertonarm. But you can try with the help of pictures provided by Schick. Anyway the bearings are not involved by this 'operation' althought you should not lose any part of the arm. But assuming that you want silver wire inside the best option is to sell your specimen and buy one with the silver wire. There are always persons who prefer copper wire.
Regards, |
Hello Lew good to know you were able to recoup your money from a lunatic. The Internet is great for locating the items we desire. The Internet is also a place were the unscrupulous prowl. Ive been for the most part lucky so far.
On your FR64S check this link out. http://www.thomas-schick.com/FR64.htm
Mike |
Nandric you posted as i was responding to lew sorry for the double post on the rewire. |
Hi Halco and Lewm,
Halco, I'm sorry to hear about your TT transaction with "Foxtan". Do you know if ebay/paypal took any action against Alex for fraud? That was obviously misreprensation in my opinion! Lewm, I also only use my Visa with my paypal account. Sort of like double insurance and I get rebate points at the same time. What is it in the paypal statement that I am misunderstanding? I am under the impression that the reason to use paypay is for guaranties against the very events that you and Halco just went thru. Is that not what their fees are for! "•Refunds for incorrect orders or items that never arrive"
The above statement (their guarantee), is from their paypal web site policy statement! Incorrect orders would be my understanting of both of your transactions. WHERE IS THE REFUND?
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Hi Mike, I have this Schick story for years and study each detail for months but my bravery left me each time that I needed to dismantel this curious spring for the dynamic function as well for the VTF adjustment. I sold the arm to get rid of the temptation. However Lew, as his name already suggest, and we all know from his other upgrade undertakings, is a different kind of person. Qua brevery that is. Anyway he can also use his back up strategy by posting his FR-64 in parts to Dertonarm.
Regards, |
Dear Lewm:
You might want to contact Jim at Applied Fidelity. He's in Reno I believe. I plan on sending him my tonearm for a rewire and possibly changing the bearings. A few years back, he uploaded pics on audio asylum of his work on a damaged epa 100. That's how I learned about him. Impressive. |
Lewm - Jim Howard (Applied Fidelity) did a very nice job rewiring a Grace 707 for me. |
Thanks, guys, for reminding me about Jim Howard. I think of him as a repairer of broken bearings, but you are quite right; he can probably do a re-wire. Ditto for the reference to Thomas Schick's photos of the FR64 disassembly. And thanks Nikola for reminding me that Dertonearm is very experienced with FR tonearms. I suppose I could take a chance and send the FR to Europe. The potential for customs abuse and long delays does scare me, however.
Nikola, My 64S does have silver wire inside, but I want to eliminate the DIN plug connector in the signal path. In fact, I am not too cowardly to do that much myself, come to think of it. But Dertonearm has been so emphatic in his praise of the Ikeda silver wire, I was thinking why not go ahead and re-wire the whole thing. (On the other hand, since FR = Ikeda, the "Ikeda silver wire" may be little different from that which is already inside my 64S. DT would know.)
As to Paypal, I agree. What good are they, if they cannot help one to recoup one's payment? In this case, the culprit was not from eBay; he advertised the tonearm on Craigslist. (Please don't laugh.) Possibly Paypal can do more if the seller is an eBay advertiser. |
Hello Danny im stuck with akg p8es and cant move on. Im sure you know what i mean. I've been tweaking setup now and what a fine little music maker this jewel is. Now im slightly lower in the rear than before but have vtf a smidge over 1g. Real tight bass and super fine all else.
I really want to give 20fls a listen. Being almozt 9g when i get my triplaner back that sould be a good combo.
Enjoy the muzic Mike |
Lew, In a purchase from Slovenia the seller used DHL for a tonearm. Cost was only 35USD and received item in less than three days. He shipped on Mon and I received on Wed. DHL must use there own screening to bypass normal customs is the way I figured it, fasting shipping I ever seen. |
Griffithds - I have my P8 ES (also sourced from Axel) mounted on a Signet XK50 with the tail down slightly. I experienced some slight harshness/sibilance as well. I thought it might be related to the stylus shape and difficulty getting the VTA dialed in but could this be a break-in issue? It seems to be smoothing out the more I play it. FWIW, the cantilever was straight as an arrow when it arrived a couple of weeks ago. |
Hi Jmowbray,
I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who has a P8 ES requiring tail down (negitive VTA). I have approx. 20 hrs on mine. Sibilance is 98% contained. This is a great cartridge. I can not say for sure if the silibance issue was due to needing more breakin or has been reduced by tail down VTA? I have ordered a Best Tracker-Arc Protractor do dial this cartridge in more acturately. I will return to 0 or positive VTA after its use to see if the sssssssss returns. I will keep all updated after it arrives. Regards, Don |
AKG P8ES. Am I correct in thinking there is no consensus on this cartridge? Based on my reading, it seems there were a few who did not like it and obviously there are others who do. If the Grace Ruby was not so enchanting at the moment, I might have a listen to mine to see what I think. In any case, P8ES and P8ES super nova will both come next in my personal Odyssey.
The Owners Manual for the DV505 tonearm has me wondering about tail up or tail down use of the DV505. The Manual shows a diagram of how to set up the forward vertical bearing part of the arm, and anything but level with the main horizontal part of the arm is labeled with a big X across it. Perhaps there is some problem with this particular tonearm due to its unusual spatial separation of the horizontal and vertical bearings, wherein tail up and tail down use would cause some sort of unintended distortion. But it is not obvious to me why that would be. |
Hi Lewm,
If you wanted to try tail up or tail down, it could be accomplished with the use of, lets call it a shim. Placed between the cartridge and arm during set up. I'm thinking of those little plastic washers used under the screw heads to prevent the cartridge screws from scratching the arm surface. Placed in the front for tail up, and in the back for tail down. No harm in trying!
Regards, Don |
Dear Stltrains: Yes, that AGK P8Es is another " lost link ".
I don't know when but I will compare it against the newest P8Es AKG model ( similar to what is listening Jmowbray. ) or similar P25MD.
All in all the older and different cartridge body/construction P8E original AKG model is a winner. Now try to imagine a more " refined " performance through the AKG P100LE.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
A couple of thoughts about rewiring tonearms. The benefits of using a continuous run of wire from cartridge clips to phono pre are tremendous in my experience. I would strongly encourage anyone contemplating a tonearm rewire (DIY, or otherwise) to consider using a long enough length of wire to have the arm's internal wiring extend all the way to the preamp. Proper shielding of the wire where it extends beyond the arm's base may or may not be necessary depending one the particular system and environment. I realize that using arms with removable headshells complicates matters. Alternatively, and an interesting option for all tonearms when using appropriately thin wire such as AudioNote, is to build a "harness" to be used externally. With proper care the appearance of the end result is fine, and with proper dressing the mechanical issues concerning the presence of another set of wires at the pivot point is negligible. |
Don, you are suggesting change the angle of the cartridge body without changing the angle of the headshell wrt the horizontal arm. Clever idea. I actually was so bold as to go tail up with some of the MMs for which pos VTA is recommended, and I detected no issues. But the putative warnings against doing that in the DV505 manual are powerful for an anal audiophile, nonetheless. (I say "putative", because it is also possible that they only wished to convey the notion that level is preferred to achieve proper VTA for most MCs. The translation of the text to English leaves a lot to be desired.)
I have the Grace Ruby set level to the horizontal arm and hear no reason to experiment further. Low and mid bass could be more powerful, but I am not sure that the phono stage itself is not the culprit in that regard. Pos VTA would be advantageous with the AKG, I think, because the cartridge body would be perilously close to the LP surface otherwise. |
Mike, I would be very interested in your comparison of Ortofon M20FL Super to AKG P8ES, because I did evaluate the former one in my own system. It did not come up to the level of the Acutex LPM320 or the Grace Ruby (not to mention the Stanton 980LZS running in a different tonearm/turntable). But I made some very major changes to my downstream components since evaluating the Ortofon, so I need to be open-minded about revising my ranking. |
Hello Raul yes p8es and im sure theres others out there waiting for guys like us to discover or if your o l d like me rediscover. On p100le its most disappointing that i had to get one thats got problems. Hopefully soon i will have a idea what im going to do about it. At this time vdh is impossible to do business with. They respect there dealer network above and beyond what ive ever experienced.
Lew these vintage cartridges are such a pleasant surprise im ecstatic and giggly. For me and the cartridges listened to are first rate and most certainly hold up to ultra expensive mcs. IMO the mms deliver the music at least the music i like better than any mc ive had. Dont know the reason maybe because of the time of mastering in the day but it seems the period from the mid 60s to the beginning of digital recording that vinyl sounds better to me with mm than mc. With mm sound is bigger and still well placed the last bit of resolution could be where mcs have a lead but with the rest of the music mm wins. IMO
One think is for sure acutex 320 is in my top 3 with 4000d3 and p8es and i could live with any of them. I will get around to m20fl and e soon. Triplaner has my arm and hopefully i will have it back soon for easier swapping.
This could be the most fun you can have with your clothes on almost, i love analog playback. Mike |
There ARE things you can do with your clothes on, even at our age, that do transcend even the fun of MM (and don't forget MI) cartridges. You need a human partner, however.
Wish I could post a photo of my Sound Lab 845PXs. You could look at that huge panel and then imagine it being driven as a one-way speaker, with no crossover at all, albeit by two audio step-up transformers driven in parallel, by an OTL amplifier. It is truly my Holy Grail come to life. |
Lew im all over that with your clothes on thing im not that old yet.
Maybe the new audiogon will have the ability to add pics to posts. I agree when the fruits of your labor delivers positive deeds its a good day in the neighborhood
Enjoy your weekend Mike |
Raul - with all of the confusion surrounding AKG nomenclature, I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. What I'm listening to at the moment is one of Axel's rebuilt AKG P8ES Super Nova VdH II (old style). This is a very nice sounding cartridge though I also have a NOS NIB sample of your old style AKG P8E that I will compare it with soon. |
Well this is the first time that I am not sure about Raul's valuation (P8E). While the AKG nomenclature is without question very confusing we, I think, succeeded to determine that P8Es and P8E have different styli ( +holder) then P8ES Super Noova + Van den Hul. The new styli introduced with the Super Nova have not only reduced mass for the cantilever and the stylus but also a new kind of cantilever centering. In a thin plate there is a small hole in which the cantilever + suspension are fastened. The so called 'one point' suspension. AKG was very proud of this innovation but the 'rubber ring' used by this construction appeared to be unreliable ( hardening of the suspension as function of time and light). The consequence is the strange situation that the older styli for the P8Es and P8E are still available as well that there are no problems with their suspension . AKG used this new kind of styli till 25 MD mk II. But he only difference are those 4 holes for the magnet 'legs' in the stylus holder which are smaller then the previous because the 4 magnet 'legs' are made smaller. Assuming then that the generator was the same in the P8ES/8E as in the Super Nova,etc. the new styli should perform better. Otherwise there would be nothing for AKG to be proud of. Professor I assume that you are 'on my side' because of the reduced mass by the new styli ?
Regards,
|
Hello Nandric i tried the p8e and p8es briefly and both sound and work fine. Can you tell me who is the manufacture of the p8es. thanks Mike |
Regards, Raul: About 20 hrs. on the SAE 1000LT. Bass is tightening up, hfs are clear without any sense of glare or rising high end. Ordered a second one today. Received a most considerate call from the vendor, Alfred, who wanted to make certain there was no confusion between the 1000LT & 1000E.
"Your previous purchase was for one of each, the "E" is a better cart", he said. "Yes (sez' I), I'm aware of the difference- the "E" offers more weight in the bass and the hf extension is more apparent, but the mids on the LT are showcased, almost luminous, without that "woody" or organic cloudiness so frequently heard with warm cartridges. "Coloration" or not, I'm an admitted pushover for carts with midrange presence". If one appreciates reeds, vocals or strings, the 1000LT puts them in the spotlight, timbre and resonance in the presence region is the LTs' strength. For those who prefer the sharp transients and body of brass, percussion, bells, ride cymbal or other struck instruments, the 1000E is a good choice. 2.5mV output, should be adequate for most phono sections, tracks at 1.8gm (+- 0.3) , fr. resp. 20-40kHz. The E is .4 x .7 mil, the LT .25 x 1.5 mil.
Alfred is quite willing to answer questions and when asked, indicated there are about forty of either model still available. Legend has it there was a cabinet full of these found in Denmark. The SAEs were built by Choral, in NOS condition and will soon be sold out. There is high praise (gushing over the LT is more accurate) coming from some very experienced listeners at the Vinyl Engine site. At the entry price, if curiosity were to get the better of one I don't believe many would be disappointed.
Peace, |
The price should also give some indication about the value. Well in Europe this 'Hakker' ask 248 Euro for the 1000 LT and 'only' 200 Euro for the 1000 E. He seems to agree with our Prof. regarding the musical value. But whoever intend to buy one or the other need to be very fast with his dollars. I myself have some prejudice against HOMC's because of the wire needed to produce 2,5 mV. I am also not aware of any HOMC which can compete with LOMC's. However I was not able to find the 900 model (0.35mV) anywhere.
Regards, |
Dear Timeltel: Thank you for your up date on the SAE. I'm sure that the SAE is a good cartridge even for a HOMC.
I'm not looking MC options to listen it and maybe if I will in the future then I go for the LOMC SAE version or directly to the Choral that appear time to time in ebay.
Yes, 199.00 seems not to much money but maybe you can get an Astatic MF-200 for that and you will get not a god cartridge but a fenomenal one.
Again, thank you for the up date.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Regards, Nandric/Raul: First, forgive my heresy in introducing a MC cart to a MM thread, especially a HOMC. Nikola, you've made most of the points needed for consideration. No one should think that for US 200.00 they're going to buy a world champion cartridge. For those with a curiosity to try different presentations and not entrenched in rigorous typologies about "perfect sound", the SAE is simply an entertaining pickup and wether you meant it in this manner or not, a most musical cartridge.
Raul, I make no recommendations. Dependent on the priorities of the listener there are not many carts offering this level of enjoyablility at a comparable price. I don't think anyone would describe the SAEs as "refined" but they do make music. The TOTL Astatic are by reputation excellent and the several MA carts (or others) I have are not to be overlooked either. Those who read your comment would do well to give it full consideration. IMHO & as in other areas, a varied audio "diet" of composer, artist, compsition or medium helps hone one's appreciation, and taste, for the finer things. I'm afraid I'd grow weary of Kobe beef at every meal. This is not intended as a contradiction, your opinion is respected as honest, agenda free and based on rarely questioned expertise. The Astatic is indeed on my wanted list.
My post was premature in that neither of the SAEs here are completely run in but according to Alfred they're going fast so there it is. Although the LT version is improving it is at this time leaving more to be wished for in hf apparency but it should be mentioned it is gaining clarity with each Lp. The bass has lost it's initial "boof" and detail is emerging. The LT stylus delivers a sweet midrange and as the suspension limbers up, grain originally heard in vocal "aahs" and "rrs" is now reduced to barely discernible levels. Perhaps I was lucky with my initial alignment, sibilance has not been observed.
At twenty hours, the LT is entertaingly musical. Channel separation is 25db/200-10k, tracking 70um @ 1.8gm. Styli are nude mounted, grain oriented at 20* VTA, eff. tip mass is a middle of the pack 0.3mg. Soundstage extends just beyond the boundaries of the speakers, imaging is stable. Depth and layering are not remarkable, extreme hfs are pushed to the back of the stage. Bass is full, proportionate and without undue emphasis. Mids are endowed with the smooth, cheerful character common to LC/Shibata profile styli. The cantilever is small in diameter, it appears to be an alu. pipe. Pins-out are gold plated, there is no evidence of tarnish or scale on either of my examples, both appear as though just off the assembly station.
There are three SAE threads running simultaneously at the VE site where it's reported that the cart continues developing to around the fifty hour mark, some have abandoned fairly well thought of carts in favor of the LT. If anyone is interested in the two SAEs, a little research at VE would be informational. The cart will soon disappear from the market, those with an interest in experiencing alternate presentations or have a collector's interest (yours truly) in vintage carts might give the SAEs consideration. If hearing the cricket hidden behind the curtain chirp is your thing, look elsewhere.
Peace, |
Hello Raul would you clue me in first on where to find a mf 200 for a couple hundred bucks im ready to pull the trigger. Mike |