Dear Lewm: +++++ " because Raul seemed to go off on a tangent ...." +++++
not exactly ( please read my last post. ). I really have deep interest in this thread and all the contrubutors that share with us their very value experiences.
In my case I was a little out of " action " due that for the last month I was in " bed " for a pneumonia that is a critical/delicate illness. I just be on final recover about. I have to say that with pneumonia your energy is totally down.
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
hi................................................... |
Regards, Raul: Sympathy for your bout with pneumonia, glad you're on the road to recovery.
I recently shopped for an inexpensive NOS pickup, selecting an Acutex LPM 412STR for $45.00. The cartridge was intended only for initial evaluation of used lp's, eventual destruction of the stylus was anticipated. After several hours the bass firmed, the hf's began to gain definition and the soundstage developed. More attention was given to the character of the cartridge and after several weeks it has become a daily driver. Perhaps the vitals will give a sense of the presentation:
Fr. resp: 20-35KHz Separation: 30dB @ 1KHz Channel balance: within 1dB @ 1KHz Stylus: STR (modified Shibata, leading face is undercut) Compliance: 24 x 10-6 cm/dynamic Output: 3.5m V Graphed response shows a 2 decible raise at 20 and again at 20KHz resulting in energetic bass and crisp hf's. The midrange is articulate and clear. Overall it plays somewhere between the lushness of the Azden and the sometimes excessive analytical presentation of a Shure V15-111/SAS stylus. I am pleased enough with the Acutex to have sourced replacement styli. While researching I was refered to your original post, the Acutex 320-111 is mentioned there in the nearly-greats. Response for your 320-3 is 20-45KHz, separation is greater and compliance is higher than the LPM 412STR, output and VTF are also slightly lower. Have you had time to revisit your Acutex? Please pardon the length of this post, the Japaneese built Acutex had not been mentioned by other posters and those who prefer a more detailed cartridge with an energetic character may find it pleasing.
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Dear Raul, I am very sorry to learn of your recent illness. However, it is good to learn that you are recovering well enough to get back with us. |
Dear Timeltel: Thank you and thank you to Lewm too.
If I remember I own two Actex: the LPM and the one you mentioned, I have to say that I don't hear/heard either yet but I will try to do it ( at least with the 320-3 ) in next 10 days. It is interesting your findings/experience with Acutex, we will see how performs the 320.
Regrads and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear Raul, I never participated in your topic because my Basis Exclusive 'Gold' has no MM inputs. But because of you I already bought 4 MM carts. I like to express my hope that you will be as soon as possible healthy . Ie in your own thread. Very kind regards, |
Dear nandric: Thank you.
Btw, which 4 MM cartridges?
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear Raul, You are an gentlemem; you could ask:' why deed you bay 4 MM carts when you have no MM inputs on your phono-pre?' Ie such behaviour 'may' look very strange... Well first of all when ever you recommended some cart they become not only much, much more expensive but nearly not more available. So I learned to be very fast. This way I got 2 P-76 for ONLY $100. And only a week later I had the feeling that I become 'rich' for only $100. I will not mention my 'succes' with my shares...Then you proclaimed some 'Technics' to be 'the best of the best'. This 'pope' as you know from my emails was 'impossible' but I got the second best (the cardinal). The Ortofon on the other hand was 'a piece of cake'; I live near Germany. This all dear Raul I deed in preparation for my 'new' Basis from 2010 wich has also the MM inputs. My actual one is an 'old horse' from 2009 but well 'golden one'. So Raul those MM carts only look cheap . I hope I will not go bankrupt because of you. Kind regards, |
Dear friends: We are on delay, no? we don't have yet the cartridge of the week!!!! and Downunder is thinking why is that.
Well on the serious way I test three different cartridges: Technics EP205C MK4, Audio Technica ATML 180-OCC and Grado Amber The Tribute.
All these cartridges are in mint condition but fully " broken ".
All the cartridges were mounted on the Grace G-940 tonearm, with positive VTA/SRA, 100K on load impedance, no added capacitance and no antiskating.
Technics EP205C MK4 was mounted in an Ortofon magnesium 9grs headshell. The Audio Technica ATML 180-OCC was mounted in the Audio technica MG-10 10grs magnesium headshell. The Grado Amber The tribute was mounted in an original Nagaoka 10grs magnesium headshell.
VTF was 1.25grs for the Technics and Audio Technica ones and 1.5grs for the Grado.
I don't want to make a review on each cartridge ( that I think each one deserve it but I don't have the time to do it. ) so I will try to be concise about.
I compare it against my reference the Technics EPC 100C MK4. First than all I have to say that all these cartridges are more similar than different, yes its quality performance are at the same level. We can leave for ever with either of these three great cartridges. Are so good and so similar that I can't for sure make a choice.
Where are the differences?, IMHO at both frequency extremes. The ATML 180-OCC when I start to hearing it impress me like an EPC100C MK4 clone, but over more time of play I can discern that the bass mainly was different than in the Technics one: with a little less weight and definition, in the other side the highs on the AT are the nearest to the Technics on this three cartridges under test ( btw, I test the ATML 170-OCC stylus with either AT cartridge body ( 170 and 180 ) and the sound was exactly the same. Now against the 180 stylus the 170 is clearly inferior. ), maybe if I was not heard the EPC100C MK4 the AT could be " The Best ".
The Technics EP205C MK4 has the Technics signature sound but on the warmer side, its main difference with the EPC100C MK$ is at the highs where in the 205 seems to me that does not have the endless extension of its big Technics brother. In the bass it has the bass weight but with a tiny overhang.
Grado Amber The Tribute, this was a nice surprise to me. I can't find nothing wrong with this cartridge ( my commentes on the other cartridges performance is not that something is wrong with them. We are talking here of the very top quality performance and that differences are tiny ones and against other " lesser " cartridges these ones have nothing wrong or nothing to ask for. The EPC100C MK4 is a very demanding reference and high challenge/unbeatable to any other cartridge I know. ). Its bass side is the best of the bunch but not exactly as the EPC100C MK4. The highs are extended/airy and seamless.
Both, Technics 205 and Grado are a little better than the AT " handling " the clicks/pops on recordings, these cartridges are more " silent " than the AT. As a fact with this top quality performance level you don't care and are not aware of those recording " noises ", the enjoy level is to high!
All these three cartridges under test IMHO belongs to 10 level on the cartridge ladder quality performance and only one step down to the 10+ EPC100C MK4. Yes all them are better IMHO than the Azden and Empire.
Grado The Tribute is a current model so is easy to find/buy it. The Technics 205MK4 time to time appears on ebay or here on Agon and the Audio Technica ATML 180-OCC is more difficult to find due that was build for the Japanese market and in minor scale Europe.
It is delicious to test/enjoy these kind of cartridge quality performance level that till a few monts ago was unknow for all of us.
Fortunatelly we " discovery " the MM/MI analog source alternative that permit we can have this unique opportunity that no LOMC I know can give, touch or even dream about.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Regards, Raul: As to the Acutex, further searching finds references to your 320-3 as the cartridge of choice for several who commented on cartridge selection, but the primary market seems to have been in Japan for the high-end examples. Acutex provided a number of generic cartridges supplied with TT's such as Akai, Hitachi and Aiwa in the 80's, those with a square stylus holder are unremarkable but in 1983 through 1993 the LPM (lowest possible mass, 4.0gm) high-end design was produced. Acutex claimed the highest separation figures in the industry at that time, cross talk is undetectable.
The visual impression is of a flimsy body, the pyrimidal stylus holder is unimpressive to the eye but the tapered boron cantilever supports a tiny and very clear modified Shibata stylus, they were not inexpensive cartridges when new. BluesBro's (IIRC) offers a NOS 320STR at $290(+-), styli are $90(+-). How does the LPM 412STR sound? Out of the box, hf's are brittle, the mids grainy and the bass muddled. After several hours the suspension settles in revealing accurate and well defined highs, bass gains extension, is tight and very apparent without being overwhelming. There is a sense of the "smiley face" presentation found in the past when equalizers were a common component and most were set with the sliders higher at the extreme ranges. With additional exposure and acclimation to the character of the Acutex LPM 412STR, it's most impressive feature is the soundstage. Awareness of speaker location diminishes, presence and energy displace the distraction of a mechanical interface. Detail and drive at the extremes of response coupled with a warm and nicely layered midrange result in a thoroughly entertaining presentation in which my attention to the gear is secondary to the enjoyment of the performance.
The LPM 4xx series is a later version, your TOTL 320-111 would be a step above the 310, 312 and 315 designations. The 412's midrange wakes up at 100K ohms and 350pF total capacitance, positive VTA just above level and tracking at 1.2gm on a 9gm mag. ADC headshell. The leads are OEM and of unknown material. The chart that came with the 412 shows the X20 series has a flatter response through 45KHz and I would guess a lower capacitance figure might be appropriate.
If articulation, dynamics and MM warmth is prefered to a cool and analytically exact presentation, your Acutex might be worth a listen. My ancient SS rig, usual disclaimers, etc.
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Raul ...time to put down your HiFi...and get yourself well..if you don't have your health you have nothing!
BTW I would not do any critical evaluations when you are sick ...IMO |
Lewm, how do you like the TLZ compared to the latest crop of favorites? Or at least, compared to your carts? If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free. I really like my Azden but need a cartridge to share the load with, kind of a daily driver. |
Does anyone know which Empire cartridge bodies can use a 1000Z/EX stylus? |
Headsnappin, according to the 1000ZE/X owners manual (you can download at Vinyl Engine), the following are in the same line: 999VE/X, 999TE/X, 999SE/X, 999PE/X, 999E/X, 999X, 909E/X, 909X, and 90EE/X.
According to turntableneedles.com, searching briefly by cartridge number it appears that the only one of these that used the 236 stylus style was the 1000ZE/X. The 235 etc stylus styles for the rest of the line aren't cross listed with the 1000ZE/X. And, searching by stylus number it appears that the results are the same. But some of the styli for this line 'look' to be the same style as the 236. There may be a more comprehensive way of looking/researching but in the end one may never truly know until one tries?
In that regard I recently ordered a non-standard NOS stylus for an Empire 999XE/X body I have (entirely different line from the 1000ZE/X, but a cartridge that another poster has commented very positively on) that I believe will fit. It was a gamble and in a few days I'll find out if it was a good one...
Jim |
Dear Dean_man/Headsnappin: The ZE/X has a round male to female stylus/cartridge mount against the other Empire models that comes with square hole instead round. Be carefully what you buy it.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
dear Lharasim: I agree, thank you.
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Raul, even beyond that, not all of the square hole Empire bodies have the same size and/or depth of hole!
Get back in bed and get better soon!
Jim |
Thanks much Jim and Raul! |
Dear Headsnappin' (sounds painful): I am in Switzerland at a meeting this week. First thing I will do when I return is to re-audition my TLZ using the Stevenson alignment I found to work best with my Dynavector (meaning cartridge is aligned geometrically AND cartridge is also aligned to the long axis of the headshell). I will let you know. I also need to give the Ortofon M20 FL Super another spin, for the same reason.
Raul, At one time you and others were really fond of the Audio Technika AT20SS. How does that one compare to these other AT cartridges you have been talking about lately? |
Thanks much Lewm. Is it correct that the output is 1.5mv? |
Far as I recall, yes. Has plenty enough output for a typical MM phono stage, however. |
Thanks again. I'm looking forward to your review. |
Dear Timeltel: The Acutex ones I own are exactly the two top Acutex in the BlueBros site, the only difference is in the 320 description that mine say: improved.
I will test the LPM first because I already have in hedashell where the 320 not. Btw, the BlueBros 320 stylus replacement comes at: 188.00!!
When I have my Acutex cartridge impression I will post about.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
I acquired a very clean Empire 1000SE/x. It was without a stylus but I was able to purchase a new replacement stylus at LP Gear. The Empire came without an adaptor. I ordered the only adaptor offered by LP Gear and it does not fit this cartridge. So, I have a beautiful cartridge and stylus but cannot fit it to my Triplanar tonearm. Anyone have a suggestion where I can obtain an adaptor to fit this cartridge? Any leads would be very much appreciated.
Regards, |
Dear Montepilot: This is the first time that I have a notice about Empire 1000 ZE/x. I thought ( as is my sample ) that the cartridge was designed/build with only one presentation: fully ready to mount ( 1/2" not P-mount. ) but with Empire we never know for sure.
I think that this same problem but with a different Empire model was posted by Dgarretson ( if I remember. ). My advise was and is that you try to find a D4000 I, II or III that are very similar in the metal body with other Empire cartridges. The D4000 comes with a metalic " clip " made especially to mount in any tonearm, this clip is removable. You can find D4000 on ebay and if you are lucky enough and find the D4000 III good because is top performer too.
Maybe some other person can put some better " light " on this Empire subject.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
hello raul, just wondering a lot of the older mm cartridges you are reccomending have large frequency extremes compared to todays general 20-20khz cartridges. hopefully, this isn't the real reason to recco them (i know it isn't but some might get that impression)but what about the grado line? even their prestige line starting at $60 has wide frequency ranges. most of their cartridges are 10-55khz. |
Raul, I knew you would come through with a good suggestion. Thanks very much. I will keep on the lookout for this cartridge. At least I was fortunate enough to find a replacement stylus. I am very curious if it is as good a performer as the 1000ZE/X?
Regards, |
Monte,
The Empire 1000S/EX was made in the late 1970's, as their base model. It uses the same metal clip (for mounting into a standard headshell) as on the Empire 2000 and 4000-series cartridges. These clips are not available separately.
An Empire 1000Z/EX was made in the early 1970's, as their flagship. It comes with black plastic molded around its metal body, to mount into standard headshells. The 1000Z/EX sounds a lot better than the 1000S/EX.
Beginning in the mid-70s, as overall sales continued to increase, USA specialty retailers began to turn to other brands such as ADC, B&O, Goldring, Ortofon, Sonus and Satin, later followed by Dynavector, Micro-Acoustics, Nagaoka ("Osawa" in the USA), ADCOM, and finally Signet.
During that period, the entire earlier lineup of Empire (1000Z/EX, 999S/EX, ...) was replaced by their 2000 and 4000-series. A couple of years later, they introduced the 1000S/EX as their budget model, with the metal-clip and other parts from their 2000-series. All were seen as rather cheap, even though the sound was good from their upper-two 4000-series models. No specialty retailer liked the metal-clip mounting and Empire also never offered exotic cantilevers like many of the others. Empire's USA sales began to slip, never recovering.
By that time, the original 1000Z/EX had been gone for many years, so there was little confusion about the new 1000S/EX model. Grado, Pickering, Shure, and Stanton were also becoming ignored as serious contenders for top-notch sound is my experience-- all seen as 'old fashioned', regardless of how they sounded. Denon was only beginning to be known in the USA, and no one wanted to sell/put up with Decca.
Best regards, Roy |
Dear Kingmacaw: Grado has very good design cartridge and due that very good quality performance. I never had hum problems with my Grado but some people had.
Please read this week post where you can read on a great Grado cartridge:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&openflup&2060&4#2060
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Montepilot, I was able to acquire a spare Empire clip mount from Adam at Bluz Broz when I ordered a stylus. The clip has a three-point mounting that mates to a horizontal dimple along the upper front edge of the cartridge, and into crescents in the plastic on opposing sides at rear of body. |
Roy your post was very informative. I have not been able to find anything online about the 1000S/EX. I am glad I do not have a big investment into the cartridge since you describe it as quite below the performance of the 1000Z/EX. However that view could change so I will give it a try.
Dgarretson, thanks for the tip on getting a clip mount. I will contact them tomorrow to see if I can get one.
Regards to all, |
Dear Royj: Thank you for your wide and usefull Empire explanation.
regards and enjoy the music, raul. |
Kingmacaw, for the older mm cartridges I own and enjoy (Pickering XSV5000 - own three of these plus an XSV4000 and Stanton 881) it is the lifelike midrange and sense of realistic space around instruments and voices that is their appeal. Yes, the bass is both articulate and full, the treble clarity in proper balance - but it is the body and soul ("center") of the music that comes across best. |
How far off the Azden/Empire 1000z/ex is the Empire 1080lt? Thanks in advance. |
Regards, Raul. Continuing with Acutex, some general information/impressions for those who may be interested concerning a rarely mentioned brand. I've found a LPM 310E, the stylus is elliptical and has little (to my ears) to recommend it. The bass is disproportinate to the remainder of the range, hf's are recessed, rolled off 6db. The stylus is similar in appearance to the 412 (orange stylus holder instead of red) but the 3xx and 4xx styli are not interchangable, internal dimensions differ. A NOS maroon 312STR (modified Shibata) stylus is on the way for the LPM 310, hopefully it will improve the 310's hf's.
The soundstage for both cartridges is noteworthy. Acutex refers to the ground pins not as L & R but as earth and neutral, "used to avoid spurious crosstalk. Outstandingly clear channel separation and high resolving power in addition to a dynamic, solid and rich tonal quality". I won't argue this. Concerning Bluz Bros prices, these weren't inexpensive "back in the day" either.
The NOS LPM 412STR is continuing to improve after 5 wks. in use. I will not yet say it is "Audiophile" quality. It is however one of the most entertaining and pleasing cartridges I've heard. Bass and hf extension is remarkable, distortion is minimal, midrange warm and well defined. From what I can gather, the x15 and x20 models are more desirable, the blue stylus x15 hf response to 40KHz and the gray x20 to 45KHz, tracking @1.0-2.0 gm. Graphed response for these two is essentially flat.
Conservatively, I'd suggest the higher end Acutex as of real interest rather than recommend it. However, I'm enjoying the 412STR as much as (or more than) several of the cartridges mentioned previously. Realignment now that it is settled in, a change to silver leads and a heavier headshell (9-10gm?) is needed before a currently very positive impression can be substantiated. Compliance of the 15/20 series is much higher.
Raul, thanks again for your interest, willingness to share knowledge and do conserve your energy. Peace.
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To Raul and others who use removable headshells,
I noticed that on some removable hedshells (like the Belldream that Raul recommends), they have a rubber wasjer between the headshell connector and the tonearm pipe. Do you find that removing this is beneficial? I remember reading somewhere that the rubber washer can degraded the sound. Any inputs? |
Dear Timeltel: Good to know your Acutex experiences. I'm already testing/hearing the LPM 315STR, I think I need a few more days on it to be sure what I will report about. I'm testing against the Technics " The Best ", Empire, AT and the Grado. Yes, it is so god that I'm having hard time to discern on its quality level, even maybe I will do a official review.
In the mid-time my advise is that any one that " see " it somewuere in the net just buy it with confidence.
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear Kingmacaw: Btw, how wide isthe cartridge frequency response on cartridges and its deviation is an important factor on the cartridge quality performance but is only one factor inside several other cartridge characteristic.
IMHO the cartridge whole design and cartridge build execution are what determine its quality performance not the " sole " frequency response.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear Jb0194: I can see that you are really in " deep " love with Stanton/Pickering, good because are great cartridges.
Btw, do you own other different MM/MI ones?
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Ddriveman--
Yes, the rubber washer is considered a bad thing by most folks. |
Dear friends: These ones are highly recomemded, good luck:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNET-TK10ML-moving-magnet-phono-cartridg-/220596917969?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item335c99d6d1#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/MMC1-Bang-Olufsen-Stereo-Phono-Cartridge-/120562281762?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12126d22#ht_1081wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/EMPIRE-4000D-lll-GOLD-ORIGINAL-TURNTABLE-NEEDLE-/250622543896?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5a448818#ht_500wt_1182
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Greetings, Raul: I trust my ears and audio experience, but your respected opinion is frequently a confirmation of my impressions. Please delay any positive statements regarding the Acutex line until I can find several replacement styli, as when you post prices rise.
For more information see:
http://www.turntableneedles.com/Acutex-M210-IIE-Stylus_p_3848.html
Scroll down to "Acutex Cartridge Catalog" for the 1980 product line and some interesting information. The section on stylus shapes presents some informative statements regarding potential groove damage from Shibata profile styli, which Acutex seemed to view as primitive.
I am exceedingly pleased with the midlevel LPM 412STR, apparently the last incarnation of the series before Acutex discontinued cartridge production in the analog "dark days" of the early 1990's and hope to find both of the TOTL models you have. For those who might be interested, be wary of replacement styli, many are conical and of poor quality but sold at high HIGH! OEM prices. |
Dear Timeltel: Thank you, I already had that link.
Keep in touch.
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear friends: I find that in 1985 the Azden YM-P50VL had a price of 150.00 and that contrary of what the Azden line specs there were some differences other than the stylus shape with the other line models mainly in frequency response and separation at 1khz ( 30db ) and 10khz ( 25db. )
The other thing is that in that time Azden had the 50, 20 and 10 different line models going from 60.00 to 150.00 where the more expensive Azden cartridge was its LOMC one GM-P5L for 250.00.
Btw, Dgob please let me know which AT cartridge that was reserved to Japanese market was better that any other foreigner AT cartridge ( like you states on other thread. ), thank you in advance.
regards and enjoy the muusic, Raul. |
Dear Raul, A few posts ago I asked you to compare the AT20SS with the AT170 and AT180 cartridges that you most recently have been praising. Perhaps the question got lost in the shuffle, but if you would be so kind as to let me know your opinion (of how they compare), I would appreciate it. Thanks. |
Raul -- I have come to the same conclusion about MM vs. MC, except that I disagree with you completely regarding the Shure. (I apologize if this subject has already been covered, but this thread is way too long for me to catch up completely.)
After more than 20 years of nothing but low output MCs, on a lark, I decided to try a Shure V15VxMR and I fell in love. My reaction wasn't immediate; in fact, at first I thought it was "too dull", "not involving", etc., etc. I even listed it for sale a couple of times, but I am glad I did not sell it. As compared to the many MCs I have owned (everything from a Supex to the various Monsters to a variety of Koetsus, Lyra, Shelter, van den Hul and ZYX, just to name a few), the Shure is MUCH more organic, natural and neutral. By comparison, the MCs, while more "exciting" sound more mechanical and synthetic. Granted, the MM allows me to eliminate the head amp and one set of interconnects, but I believe that the difference is much deeper than that. After spending a couple of months with the Shure, I simply couldn't go back to the Koetsu (I tried, but I couldn't do it).
Once the Shure really broke in and hit its stride, it opened up so that it is appropriately dynamic, realistically detailed and timbrally accurate. It's tracking ability is undisputed, and that counts for a lot; more than most people think. Just put on any Rickie Lee Jones album and you will know just exactly what I mean. This may all sound like faint praise, but it isn't. I love this cartridge, and no component in recent memory has given me this much pleasure (and for so little money). I suspect that few audiophiles have tried a Shure V15VxMR (or any other "serious" moving magnet, for that matter) in a really high resolution system. I know I wouldn't even consider it unil, for no particular reason, I went ahead and did it. I am here to tell you that this Shure cartridge not only thrives in such a system (my system consists of SME, VTL, Wilson and MIT, among other things), it can take on all just about all comers.
Do I have any complaints about it? -- of course I do, but the primary complaint (other than that it is discontinued) is that it is so darn inexpensive that it is hard to take it seriously. Nevertheless, it is serious, and should be regarded that way. There is a reason why it was chosen by Sony Music and the Library of Congress for their archiving projects. Give it a serious listen, you may be surprised.
Enjoy! |
Dear friends: One info that i forgot about Azden company, Azden was/is a Division of Japan Piezo Co.Ltd.
In those times ( 1985 ) the Azden Equalizers ( Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer ), Headphones and mixers were very well respected along the phono cartridges.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear Lewm: The AT 20SS was a favorite of mine cartridges for many years, can I say my reference?.
I own and owned almost every single top AT cartridge, I love AT.
Now, as good as the AT20SS is the time already pass on when you compare it against the 170/180 even against the AT24 that is very good too.
Now, Am I saying that the AT20SS is no any good today?, certainly not it still is a good performer, I still like it and keep with me this cartridge, but the 170/180 are in different level quality.
I would like that other AT20SS owners could share their opinion in this subject.
Now, I understand you own that cartridge ( right? ): do you already heard it? which are your experiences with?
regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Dear friends: Due that we are talking on cartridges and cartridge set up it seems to me that could be important to read and comment on what I posted in other thread on that subject:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1271618618&openflup&47&4#47
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1271618618&openflup&64&4#64
Regards and enjoy thye music, Raul. |
Dear Strat1117: Certainly you are reffering of what I posted in 2008 on the original thread.
As you say over the time things change a little and now I own a Shure 97 and III with Jico SAS stylus that performas really good. Now that you point out maybe is time to re-set on the Shure V and test it again, we will see.
Glad that you enjoy the MM/MI analog source alternative through your Shure cartridge. Well IMHO maybe that is only the tip of the iceberg and you could try other vintage cartridges like: Ortofon M20E Super, Nagaoka MP50, Empire 1080LT that you can find NOS through the net ( ebay/LPgear. ) or these ones:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&openflup&2092&4#2092
Welcome a board and keep in touch.
Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |