Dear Raul, I just read your response to my post wherein I dismissed the Alchemist and the Talisman and those who loved them in days of yore. Your points in response have some merit, at least as regards the notion that I should have no opinion, because I have not heard them. Touche'. I am still not going to make the effort to acquire either.
But I have to say also that the remainder of your response reads to me as nothing short of a defense of the "AHEE", the mythical diabolic force that has led us all astray, according to another of your hypotheses. Surely, Cordesman, King, Holt, and HP, all of whom you hold up as experts who commented favorably on the sound of the two cartridges in question, must be regarded as charter members of the AHEE. (This is not to say that I have any beef with any of those gentlemen, except to say that Cordesman's system, such as it was then, would have made me sick, if I had to listen to it every day, and that the other three are at least a level or two above him in their audio pedigrees. Cordesman is or was a highly regarded and well paid US defense analyst, in real life. He often used to testify before Congress on this or that weapons system. He lives near me.) |
Dear Lewm: Well, as many other things " degradation/corruption " goes deeper/advance through the time/years. Certainly that in those old times was different from today even " inside " the same reviewers.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hello Raul I have to differ with you on your point limited quality from other than our favorite cartridges.
Its impossible to audition all modern gear. I've had my share and thought I was getting all the musical enjoyment possible. When Eric lent me his spare vintage tube amp a Heathkit he rebuilt. I was blown away. That started my evolution back in time to vintage gear. To make a long story short sold most of my modern gear and acquired vintage equipment. I do continue to use my modern speakers and turntable. To each his own but for me I could not do without my vintage gear. |
Dear Jbethree and Raul,
When I want to listen to a great MMcartridge, I put on my Shure 97xe. It has consistently bettered any of the old MM cartridges mentioned on this forum. Buy the Shure 97xe and stop wasting your money...Now when I really want to hear an album in all it's glory,I put on a MC cartridge through an appro[riate MC Step UP Transformer. If you want to be a cheap ass then buy an old mm cartridge.. |
Dear Stltrains: As you said to each his own but I can see you are a tube owner and tube technology is almost the same today that 40 years ago. This is very different for ss electronics that improved a lot over the years. IMHO using tube technology today as 40 years ago is " limited "/non-accurate.
Of course that is each one privilege to choose whatever we like. So we are happy because that exclusive privilege.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
I suggest this thread be retitled "10907 reasons to be a cheap ass." |
There are still some undiscovered nuggets to be found. I would recommend a Shure M95ED. (If you have fat fingers the M95ED cartridge has the added bonus of the Side-Guard Stylus Protection System which responds to accidental side thrusts on the stylus by withdrawing the entire shank and tip safely into the stylus housing before damage can occur). If you want something a little better try the GRADO DJ-200. This is a DJ cartridge based on the Prestige series and stylus replacement is $120/pr. If you want to go more European, the latest buzz amongst the EMT fanatics is the Tonar Baktrak DJ Mix phono cartridge, a conventional mounting version of their famous Tonar Banana DJ Disco phono cartridge. These are genuine giant killers that will annihilate any moving coil, moving magnet and moving iron up to $10k and beyond. My personal favourite - the Tonar Baktrak with a nice new spherical stylus from the Expert Stylus Co - this will leave the Technics EPC100 Mk6 Revised in its berylium dust. To match the excitement of a quality moving coil, load the MM's at 75k and put some extra capacitance on the phono input ( about 400pf should be enough ) - this will bring the top end up nicely as well as add a little sheen to the upper mid lower treble. Now put some Dame Joan Sutherland on, believe me the moths and mosquitos wont come inside at night even if you leave the lights on and the doors open.... |
Dear Dover: We must try that Tonar one, maybe the source for it is " 123 ": right?
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear friends: Last weekend I had the opportunity to listen one of the latest speaker technology quality performance.
A friend of mine call me to meet him to help to make the set up of his new speakers inside his new ( second room/system. ) listening room. He don't told me more so I gone to his place with no precise expectation.
He bought a pair of Raidho C 1.1 bookshelf monitors, small ones.
These are very expensive monitors, around 18K including its dedicated stands.
The speakers are designed and manufacturer in Denmark and are beautiful made at the " eyes " and " hands " when touched.
I was not prepared for what I heard. The speakers were runned around 60 hours before my listening.
Well, small as the C 1.1 are the sound is everything but small, you can't say that the sound is coming for that " tiny " monitor: big sound.
That was the first characteristic in the speaker and the second one is the very low distortion of its flat tweeter that " refuse " to sonds bright or with false spark distorted high frequencies ( the two way design crossover at 3khz. ) very common in high end top speakers.
We made it the set up trhough digital software and the speakers are surrounded by Levinson electronics.
In some ways I was impressed by the Magico " small " monitors but these Raidho ( inside its frequency range, the Magico goes deeper in the bass. ) are way better with less coloration and lower distortions especially the frequency range handled by the Raidho tweeter.
No, the C 1.1 can't " resolve " nothing down from around 45hz that's why my friend bought too two Rel subwoofers but even with out the subs ( this was how we made the C 1.1 set up. ) when I play the CD The Wall side-1 3-4-5 tracks the performance was and is just great and unexpected.
At the end of our set up session ( 5-6 hours. ) we started to integrate the subs but we really can't finish it.
Do you think that your are in the " glory " with your today set up? just listen to those Raidho C 1.1 , could be a special experience and a learning one.
http://www.raidho.dk/SEEEMS.asp?id=1141
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Raul, I spent a lot of time listening to a Raidho speaker, too, at the recent Capital Audio Fest here in the DC area. I think the ones I heard are called "D1", not C1.1, yet these too were stand-mounted two-way monitors. The base price was $22,000; $25,000 if you want real wood framing on your cabinet (which is about the size of a shoebox). Like many such 2-way monitors, they had the capacity to "disappear" such that they created a wide, open, spacious soundstage. I too thought they were remarkably good, but there is not much mystery why: they use a very fine ribbon tweeter of some kind. I wonder what is the difference between the C1.1 and the D1. Anyway, if you live in an apartment and have a lot of money, the D1 (and probably the C1.1) is indeed excellent.
Just for the sake of a fun argument, I note that now you have enlisted Martin Collums in support of the Alchemist's excellence. Another charter member of the evil empire, AHEE. Couldn't it be that the endorsements of Collums, HP, Holt, Cordesman, and King were some part of a plot to deceive innocent audiophiles who cannot think for themselves? (I don't think this; I am just playing Devil's advocate vis your AH�EE hypothesis.) |
Chopin123, Two total post, and both to abuse MM/MI. You will have to keep up though, we are into LOMC and HOMC. Heck, we even love digital. ;)
See you again in about 3000 post. |
hello Raul tube technology does go back much further than 40 years. and whats very interesting other audio lovers have moved to tubed gear. almost like vinyl but more, the popularity of tubed gear is way up. in the end tubed gears very simple circuits have gotten better along with components. the manufacture of audio tubes is also up and the modern production is starting to eclipse my favorites, tubes from the past.
i will ways be happy with audiophiles who are loving the music through there systems no mater what kind of gear used. one thing i wont ever do is suggest that mine is better than yours who cares and whats the point in that. the discussion on how each and every one of us hears sound has been will documented.
tk7cla is with out a doubt one of the top cartridges in my stable and best part it was cheep. gotta love that. |
Chopin is very insecure, else he would not be compelled to comment. Next thing you know he will be haunting eBay in search of a Shure V15 to replace his own mediocre Shure. Anyway, what Chuck Berry once sang still holds true: "Roll over Beethoven, and tell Tchaikovsky (and Chopin) the news... MM rules." |
"We even love digital" ? I don´t belong to "we". It has always been dull and compressed and lacks the dynamics that music in real life is. In fact, I wasn´t excited about the digital in the 1980´s nor today. Even today´s digital is disappointed, it´s just pseudo science and still the biggest lie in audio. Oh, much more bits is still needed to fulfil that "digital perfection". Of course, also the digital evolution is gaining speed but can´t match the analog, for a long long time really. You too, Acman3 ? Öö, I´m disappointed about you. |
Dear Lewm: Good that you already had the Raidho experience. IMHO these danish " tiny " speakers mated with two powered subwoofers can shine in any room size, no doubt about.
This is the only build difference between the C 1.1 ( that bI heard ) and the D 1 ( you heard ):
++++++ D 1: employ a proprietary Raidho cutting edge diamond technology woofer cone coating that was used for the first time in this model. ++++++
and the speaker performance difference seems to me belongs to the bas frequency range that you can read here:
http://canadahifi.com/forum/showthread.php?967-Raidho-Speakers-Review-(a-listening-session-with-3-Radiho-speakers)
In the other side an regarding the all time reviewers inside the AHEE the advantage today is that many of us already learned: I hope.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Stltrains: For me is very clear what you like and as I said it's each one free privilege.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Harold-not-the-barrel: +++++ " It has always been dull and compressed and lacks the dynamics that music in real life is. " +++++
well, analog neither has " the dynamics that music in real life is ".
Today 32/192 or 32/384 lates DACs digital technology inside any decent digital player outperforms analog LP.
That we like more the distortions/colorations and non-accurate analog sound does not means latest digital experience is wrong as you said: " just pseudo science and still the biggest lie in audio. "
You can read sveral posts in this thread and other where I and other persons explain why what you posted is a misunderstood for say the least.
In the other side I don't read in your post any single/reason/foundation that support your statements. Could you elaborate on that?
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Harold, I was referring to the thread, not my personal bias. I am 90/95 percent analog.
I will however, continue to seek better digital. I am hopeful I will some day find digital I like as much as vinyl, just when and at what cost.
Have fun! |
Acman3, I´ve been having fun since early 1970´s with my analog stuff. And my turntable is getting better all the time. Glad you still prefer the analog, er... I nearly thought you had finally gone mad with this nonsense numerical perfection fuss. Relieved, and don´t forget to play your c-cassettes ! |
Raul wrote: "Today 32/192 or 32/384 latest DACs digital technology inside any decent digital player outperforms analog LP."
This is a pretty controversial statement-- particularly the notion that "any decent" player can get you there relative to TOTL analog. I'm in process of upgrading my Buffalo IIISE dual-mono ESS Sabre DAC to hi-res, and will post what comes from that. RBCD through ESS Sabre DAC with a custom buffered transformer output stage gets within "shouting distance" of vinyl, but not quite there.
Based on observations of increased vinyl in top rooms at regional and national audio shows, I think it's fair to conclude that the consensus of OEM exhibitors is not convinced of the superiority of digital-- unless perhaps vinyl is simply more fun or more profitable in the selling.
BTW I've heard both Raidho models at several shows. It's a very exciting and clean presentation, if perhaps a tad brittle with some electronics. |
Dear Dgarretson: Yes, could be controversial but what it's not in audio.
I see digital source as an alternative ( as I see the MM/MI laternative to the LOMC one and lately the HOMC alternative. ) where IMHO today we can't any more close our " eyes/ears " with out real foundations.
An alternative is precsicely that an " alternative " that lives and competes at the same time with other alternatives.
Firts than all I compare the digital alternative against live music reference taking in count several live music characteristics and between them that live music has very low distortion levels and very low unaccuracies and other characteristics like: its agresiveness, don't warm sound, dynamics, impact, its natural color and tune, etc, etc.
When I compare digital vs analog I do it against that kind of parameters and maybe more important that all those is that I always try to have a non-biased mind/attitude in those comparisons. I try to be objective it does not matters if that kind of attitude and facts/results goes against what " I like ".
None of those sources: analog and digital are perfect but IMHO the analog " suffer " of higher imperfections.
That we like it more one source against the other is not important and certainly not the main subject.
+++++ " that the consensus of OEM exhibitors is not convinced of the superiority of digital-- unless perhaps vinyl is simply more fun or more profitable in the selling. " +++++
well, as Lewm said: there is the AHEE evil that as almost alwys does not tell us the true but only " his true " to make busine$$$$$.
Hey, the AHEE was whom teach ed us that on cartridges the only valid option was LOMC and today we all know that was an AHEE false statement and the same happened with SUTs against high gain active PS or tube against ss and several other audio areas.
Please share those lates digital experiences you will have.
About the Raidho speakers could be that with some electronics could perform a tad brittle but I can't say for sure.
I like a lot these Raidho speakers that unfortunately for some of us has a very high price.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
The Raidho's are a viable alternative for a wealthy audiophile who lives in an apartment with limited listening space. They do compete on some level with any other fine speaker, but for me, given a large listening room, there are at least a few other speakers I still prefer. I even was more thrilled with those Volti Audio Vittora speakers I also heard at the CAF. The Raidho's might become fatiguing over the long haul.
32/192 and 32/384 quoted resolution for digital audio reminds me of the horsepower race in automobile marketing or the Watts race in transistor amplifier marketing or the pixel count on digital TV screens. It's specious. There is very little if any source material that achieves such high resolution. The software is always the limiting factor. |
Dear Lewm: Well, at least on design the Vittora are way different from the Raidho: horns vs planar/moving coil Raidho design. You can't choose more different speaker designs.
Now, in the next two weeks I will more near the Raidho spekaers because I will following helping my friend with the integration of those Rel subs he already bought. With out 100% of sure I think that the C 1.1 integrated with those self powered subs can fulfill any room dimension needs.
Better than those horns?, could be but not you not any one can tell about till first hand experience with both speaker system in the same room set up.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Obviously, it's a different ball game if you add subs to the Raidho's. Don't dismiss the Volti speakers just because they are, in part, horn-loaded. I don't much care for horns, either, but the Vittorias are special and don't need subwoofers to be so. |
Dear friends: After so wonderful vintage MM/MI cartridge experiences common sense told me that " maybe " vintage LOMC cartridges could be a real gems because in those old times and due to audio items eletronics limitations the cartridge design/voicing must be just " superb " to performs to make signs those old audio systems.
So, a few months ago I started to buy vintage LOMC cartridges and I can say that that common sense was right. I already reported on two-three of those vintage LOMC and today is the turn of one of those LOMC gems, the Fidelity Research MCX-5.
It looks really humble and you can expect a surprise down there but it does not performs as its look.
This FR MCX-5 apperaed in 1985 and maybe was one of the latest FR top of the line cartridges under the FR name. Its design is different from the FR7 models ( that I own. ). I always admire FR for its cartridges ( not their " terrible " tonearms. ) even the Ikeda ones that I own too.
Cartridge output: 0.2mv, fr: 10hz to 40khz, VTF: 1.4gr to 1.8grs ( I used 1.6grs. ) separation: 20db, compliance 9cu ( this is the spec but performs as a way high compliance. ), stylus: 0.3 x 0.7.
I mounted in the AT 1503 in our self design headshell and tested trhough an Entré SUT at 3 ohms position with a positive VTA/SRA.
Main characteristic of the MCX-5 is its sonority ( not an audio coloration. ) as the sonority that has any acoustic instrument. When we play a guyitar, violin or piano we hear that sonority as a whole coming from " inside " the instrument.
Top to bottom I have no single objection, the cartridge performs great with no high frequency overshot that's normal in LOMC cartridges. It is very easy on the ears because fulfill the music real live characteristics. That sonority I'm talking about gives the impression of endless dynamics with a " precision " in the natural color tone and agresiveness of the real thing.
The cartridge shows you the " power of the music ", power that only can live it on live events, an efortless power. No stress with this cartridge.
Great tracker over the Telarc 1812 but the last cannon shot. One first time I experienced with any cartridge is the performance of the carrillon in that 1812 overture. This passage is very dificult, dificult to the cartridge performance can tell you each different sound on those hundred bells. With the MCX-5 I'm aware on bell sounds ( very clear and precise in tone. ) that with I never imagine were in the grooves. This is a fenomenal achievement for any cartridge at any standards.
Yes, it's better than almost all our beloved top MM/MI ones and its big FR7 brothers and the best of all is that when you heard through the FR MCX-5 you don't miss any single characteristic why we are in love with those MM/MI vintage cartridges.
Don't ask, if you see it on the net: just buy it!!!!
Regards and enjoy thye music, R. |
Dear Lewm: I don't dismiss the Volti speakers: where said I that?
Anyway, in the past I posted on some threads that monitors ( like the Raidho C 1.1 ) along two integarted self powered subwoofers in true stereo fashion normally outperforms passive full range speakers.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
I agree in principle that a top quality pair of two-way monitors plus a pair of subwoofers of similar high quality can compete with any other way of obtaining one's own absolute sound. Each way of getting there has it's own set of problems. With the monitor plus sub approach, the problem is the quality and type of the crossover network and the integration between monitor and sub. I am wrestling with that right now as regards how to get the most out of the Beveridge 2SWs. The crossover electronics built into the 2SW chassis are subpar by modern standards. |
Raul - glad to see you are finally seeing the light. What's old is new again, no matter what the clothing. |
Any experience or thoughts on the performance level of Fidelity Research MC-201? There is a stock of NOS examples available:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIDELITY-RESEARCH-MC-201-Stereo-Phono-Cartridge-Vintage-New-In-Box-/271246008816?pt=US_DJ_Turntable_Parts_Accs&hash=item3f2785a1f0
Its low output is intriguing. I recently remounted my .15mv Denon DLS1, now loaded at 30R as recommended by John Elison on AA. A very satisfying ride. |
Dear friends: I think that the rightness on the music reproduction in the FR MCX-5 is that the cartridge not only gives you " more " information but more important is the way that music information is reproduced, that sonority I talked about.
The MCX-5 does something in superlative way that I can't remember in any other cartridge at the MCX-5 level of quality and that " something is: the precise " weight " on the instrument music reproduction and more important the precise weight on each note inside that music instrument. You can detect it in the reproduction of an acoustic guitar or a violin or piano or any other instrument or even blend of instruments because the cartridge has a very high abilitie to separate " sounds " as no other cartridge I heard.
Is that precise and defined weight what gives the cartridge quality performance its rightness and sonority telling you that you are hearing the " real thing ".
Both characteristics are in intimate relationship: weight and sonority, that gives a " tremendous " ryhtmum to what we are listening. What you heard trhough the FR MCX-5, even if it's not your prefered kind of music, moves you inmediatly and makes to forget about the audio hardware and makes that your whole body be enjoying the music emotions deeply.
I know that many of us already had experiences like that but IMHO never at this level of greatness.
As more I listen through this cartridge as more I'm aware of those analog reproduction last boundaries I'm looking for.
Btw, talking of weight the FR MCX-5 weight is: 6.2 grs. and as I said with a humble looking.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Storyboy: IMHO the experiences trhough those vintage MM/MI/LOMC/HOMC cartridges confirm your statement and I know is shared by other audiophiles.
Regarding cartridges those " old " manufacturers/designers really had a very hard task due to the limitations of the audio items those cartridges must be surrounded. The cartridge design must be really great to performs " decent " and today with our better audio systems those old gems shines as never before and outperform even top today cartridge designs for the same reason.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Dgarretson: The MC 201 is a more older design coming from 1980-1981 sharing some of the FR7 model design characteristics. I owned but I can't graded today. It's price in those times was around 350.00.
Btw, yes the Denon DLS1 is very good performer, there are very good reasons why is Denon top of the line design.
regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Revisiting the DLS1 psyched me up enough to order an Audio Technica ART7. This has a non-permeable MC core and low output similar to the DLS1 and FR7. The ART7 spec looks very close to last year's AT50ANV, except for lighter weight and a "newly developed LPC (Liquid Crystal Polymer) for wound coil frame providing high-strength and high-vibration absorption."
AT-ART7
Model Air-core MC type Playback frequency range 15 ~ 50,000 Hz Output voltage 0.12mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) Channel separation 30dB (1kHz) Output Balance 0.5dB (1kHz) Needle pressure 1.6 ~ 2.0g (1.8g standard) Coil impedance 12Ω (1kHz) DC resistance 12Ω Load resistance 100Ω or more (head amplifier is connected) Coil inductance 8μH (1kHz) A static compliance 35 × 10-6cm/dyne Dynamic compliance 10 × 10-6cm/dyne (100Hz) Needle tip shape Special line contact Cantilever φ0.26mm solid boron Vertical tracking angle 23 ° External dimensions H17.3 × W17.0 × D25.6mm Mass 8.5g
Released: November 16, 2012 http://www.audio-technica.co.jp/atj/show_model.php?modelId=2260 |
Dear Dgarretson: Good to know that you own the ART 7. Like 3 months ago I was tempted to pull the triger for the ART 7. I own all the AT ART cartridges and other LOMC from AT and Signet and are good performers.
I did not buy it because I have to many vintage LOMC cartridges to test and the ones I already tested are excellent performers that IMHO beats today top cartridges. Maybe that latest AT design can be something really especial but you are the one that can confirm it.
Your experiences are welcomed and if outperform the DLS1 then you have " something " on hand. Good listening.
regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Lewm: You are right, crossover and proper integration is the name of the game.
In my audio system set up I'm not using an external crossover, what I did is that inside the Levinson monoblocks ( main speakers. ) I only change the input cap value and in the Velodyne's I'm using its own internal crossover that I could think you can improve in the SW.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Dgarretson: I forgot: did you tested the Sumiko DTi?
Reegards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hello all this may have been discussed and I missed it. On a at 155 or 160, now that replacement stylus has dryed up would a 440mla be a good alternative.
I just picked up a tk10ml advertised with 100 hours. Haven't received it yet and no doubt replacements are none is there an alternative?
Thanks for any thoughts Mike |
Talismans for quite high price: http://app.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-sumiko-talisman-vdh-sapphire-and-iiis-priced-to-sell-really-2013-08-14-analog-13224-syracuse-ny
Stoner, How´s your AT180-ML/OCC performing ? |
Regards, Stltrains: Mike, might take a look HERE for reference, any of group "K" or "L" will work with the 120 through 160 family of carts, as will the ATN440MLa. Carts ending with "OCC", such as Stoney's ML180 OCC require a different fitment. Peace, |
Raul, I know a few guys who do as you do. Some of them use a single Russian-made SSG type silver mica capacitor at the input of their amplifiers, value chosen for 6db/octave hi-pass filter at whatever frequency. Some very critical guys say that the SSGs are essentially totally transparent. The problem I am running into is that the Bevs were designed to go down to 100Hz or 80Hz with a very steep active hi-pass filter (18db/octave). It's hard to mimic that with the passive approach and without a large insertion loss. If I were to use a first-order filter, then I would need to start rolling off at 200Hz or even higher; I'd hate to attenuate the Bevs in that frequency range, because they are so good. So, I am "stuck" with an active crossover. (Marchand actually makes a passive crossover that generates a 24db/octave slope. I am curious about that one.) Right now I am mostly contemplating external active crossovers, altho I never met an active crossover I could really love. |
Raul, Now I have the resistors in stock to test the DTi and will do so shortly.
Lew, Based on a conversation I had with a guy who tried both Marchand and Pass Labs active crossovers, I would lean toward Pass Labs. However it's difficult to be certain, as Marchand can be tweaked with improved parts.
BTW I very much like the SSG silver micas. I've used these in a Zobel and as small bypass to coupling caps in electronics. |
ear Lewm: I still have a ncrossover design by Pass when he was at Threshold, that's a good unit I can't say for his today unit.
Now, Bryston has a very good crossover that's flexible enough for your needs and IMHO Bryston has a good quality audio items.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Dear Dgarretson: Good, in that way you could compare the DTi quality performance at 47k and 100k.
Waiting for your tests.
Regards and enjoy the music, R |
Dear Stltrains: Congratulations for your TK10ML. We can't see that cartridge often on ebay in that good condition.
I saw that auction and at the same time was a second one for another TK10ML. I don't know which one you bought/win but seems to me that one of them was the MK2 version. Normally in the the MK2 cartridge samples you can read " MICROLINE " in the cartridge body lateral sides.
Yes, we will wait with expectations your experiences with that TK10ML.
Regards and enjoy the music, R. |
Hello Professor and many thanks for your experience and knowledge of at stylus. Can i ask if you may have experimented with other than original replacement. Like i have with the 155 /160 combo. I guess im wondering if all micro lines are alike.
As ive repeated the 155/160 is my favorite as the sound is so vividly real to me. I was surprised that stereoneedles had 160 replacements still available. Mike |
Raul, Yes, I have my eyes open for especially a Nelson Pass design. (I did not know he made one under the "Threshold" brand name. I know about the Pass Labs one.) They don't come up often and are expensive. I am trying to keep my investment "modest", but since such devices usually hold value, I could rationalize the expense. |
Stltrains *Hello all this may have been discussed and I missed it. On a at 155 or 160, now that replacement stylus has dryed up would a 440mla be a good alternative.
I just picked up a tk10ml advertised with 100 hours. Haven't received it yet and no doubt replacements are none is there an alternative?*
The ATN440MLa with a tapered aluminum cantilever wont give you the same performance as the original stylus on either of those 2. All 3 of those carts have the same motor and the 440 is greatly improved with either vintage stylus.
The AT23 through 25 have, I believe a stylus that fits the TK10. These have a .2 x .7 elliptical and are also hard to find. The ML tip lasts a long time, but when the time comes it's probably better to have a new micro put on the existing cantilever.
Someone posted recently that Stereoneedles is out of stock on all those old ones with beryllium cantilevers. Regards,
|
Comparisons between cartridges has become easier on Terminator with a DIY pivot with integral SME-style receptacle for standard headshells.
http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1376645610.jpg
The wand has dual front and rear counterweights for continuously adjustable vertical effective mass.
Total horizontal mass of arm, cradle, and carbon fiber sled is 45gm, and can be increased by weighting the air sled.
Tonearm wiring bypasses the SME junction to the cartridge pins, eliminating several solder joints and electrical contacts.
A single arm for cartridges of all compliances. |
Dave the Messenger enlightens us all. Evolution goes on... Hardly can wait for his reports on the latest cartridges finds. |
Nice work! That is a real Frankenstein. |