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Ortofon A-90 Tonality Question

I got an A-90 about two weeks ago to replace a Koetsu RSP. I have it dialed in as best as possible and find that it does almost everything well in my system. I have the cartridge body level in terms of SRA, VTF is 2.2 grams and azimuth was measured with a DMM/test record.

The problem I am having is a leanness in the midrange, especially on vocals. There is a bit more sibilance than I would expect and there is a lack of richness in the lower vocal registers.

This may be that I am used to the Koetsu sound but based on observations here and on AA this doesn't seem to be a general issue and it seems more pronounced than I would expect.

Associated equipment is VPI HR-X/JMW 12.5 with Discovery wire (run from cartridge clips and soldered to phono stage input), Herron VTPH-2 phono stage, very modified Cary SLI-80 amp and Merlin TSM-MMi speakers. Interconnects are VH labs DIY silver and speaker cables are VH Labs Chela.

Based on general specifications the JMW arm should match fairly well to the A-90 but the A-90 performance seems to have some tonearm dependence. Also, there are only about 25 hours on the A-90 so it change over time.

Anyone running an A-90 in a VPI arm or have similar results in other setups?
jarrett
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
You really need to be patient. The cartridge does take some time to break-in. Wait until you have 60 hours or so on it before even considering doing any critical listening. It continues to change for a few hundred hours. The last thing to come in is the bloom. It should sound incredibly detailed and clear, but it can be a tad lean at the really early stages. Believe me it will change.

This is my favorite cartridge by a wide margin. Anyone who gives up on it early does not know what they are missing.

My only regret is they no longer make them and I could easily sell a bunch more.
sprog
37 posts
 
I agree with Jtinn. Wait for it to bed-in and don't worry about the leanness - 20hrs is way too early to judge it properly.

At about 100-or-so hrs (in my experience) it's just perfect throughout.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I also suggest to listen to it minimum 100h. After that your ears are aligned to it.
lasercd
50 posts
 
Jarrett:

I agree with the other comments. This cartridge needs time to break in. You need to put more hours on it.

What impedance setting are you using?

Ken G olden
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