Cartridge break in device

Ken,

Hearing a cartridge go through its changes can be educational. OTOH, if all one wanted to do was enjoy music, that sort of audiophilia would indeed be distracting.

Some hours spinning on the Cardas record, with VTF set near the manufacturer's recommended maximum, works pretty well for speeding the process along. I don't know how the device mentioned by Fremer works so I can't offer any comparisons.

For cartridge break in on the Cardas LP you don't need to power up the system and listen to white noise. You don't need to use your primary rig. If you have a second TT, mount the new cartridge on that and let it exercise the suspension into shape while you enjoy music on your main system.

BTW, some cartridge models take much longer than others to settle in. A ZYX Airy 3, Transfiguration Orpheus or Shelter 901 typically need 150-200 hours, they go through large changes and the 901 can be unpleasant when new. OTOH, don't break a ZYX UNIverse in at all. You'd be wasting valuable listening time, since most UNIverses change very little after the 10th or 20th hour and some don't change at all. IOW, don't assume a common break in period for all new cartridges. Ask around model by model.

Good luck,
Doug

Ken,

Be very careful with that active de-mag unit. Many cartridge makers warn against them. Some specifically void the warranty if you use it on their cartridge. The Cardas de-mag tracks are safer (and effective IME).

A device that would exercise the suspension without wearing the stylus seems a useful idea, though as you say the risks are hard to assess. The best frame of reference for the change, obviously, is to suffer the original problem: "enjoy" the cartridge changes during natural break in while playing music. An insoluble dilemma?

Doug

What are the conditions that result in magnetization of a cartridge? Is it hours of playing time, months- years, both, or what?

That's a controversial topic. Some argue it's impossible for any part of a cartridge save the magnets themselves to become magnetized, since they're made of nominally non-magnetic materials. Others argue that trace impurities or other factors could allow magnetization. I avoid the "why" and "how" arguments, since I lack the scientific knowledge to contribute anything useful.

Much less controversial is that something, somehow changes after de-magging, whether with an active device like yours or the Cardas record. (Some have stated that once you actively de-mag you must do so more and more often, and that doing so progressively weakens the magnets. Thus the warranty issue.) The LOMC's I've owned (Shelter, ZYX) have all benefitted from a monthly (or so) pass on the Cardas LP. I've not noticed any need to "treat" the cartridge more frequently, so IME the Cardas LP will not harm the cartridge or shorten its life, beyond the few minutes added to total usage of course.

What are the audible signs that it needs to be demagnetized?

Until you know the sound of a cartridge in your system well, it will be difficult to notice. Nothing goes downhill suddenly. There's just a gradual diminution of inner detail, microdynamic subtleties, and "life". Everthing gets slowly more bland and boring. It sounds like playing with excessive VTF or excessive antiskating, the livliness is squashed out of the music.

Five minutes on the Cardas LP and everything comes back. It sounds like you cleaned the windows.

Doug