Cartridge Opinions - Sorry
I just jumped into the MC world, went with this currently available Audio Technica https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/265f6b3dd520a226/index.html tight channel balance .5db and separation 30db are the factors I believe made me like it better than my prior favorite winner Shure V15VxMR body with Jico SAS stlus/boron shaft. Imaging is awesome |
tyray164 posts:23pm "And I also think that Azimuth can only be adjusted on the headshell itself and not the tonearm, whether the headshell is removable or nonremovable. Thanks R!" my Blackbird has built in micrometer to adjust VTA, easy, precise, wonderful, but, the cartridge is fixed directly to the long carbon arm. Azimuth adjustment by rotating the carbon tube a speck in it’s snug rear housing, tighten with set screw. The SOB’s put the set screw on the bottom, what misery to get it right, the worst design feature. As azimuth is critically important, many a curse was issued, I should learn Russian to curse in their language. |
tyray1 somehow you got my post mixed up with @klooker. No way am I parting with my Shure, OEM Stylus: I’m still mad at beryllium’s prevalence to shatter from a strong breeze, and there are some who prefer SAS shape to ML, I only have my long ago memory. New OEM Stylus will not improve the cartridge’s separation, my primary reason for preference of the new AT33PTG/II. Super Tracking is not an issue for me. Shure is upstairs now, awaiting a contest with my AT440ml (OEM unworn ml stylus). TT: Vertical Linear Tracking Mitsubishi LT-5V. No anti-skate is involved, and Shure brush will not be used. Downstairs, main system, I used the Shure with OEM stylus over the AT primarily due to Shure’s brush helping with my springy floors, especially prior location, not an issue now. Specs give an indication, and side 2, tracks 2 and 3, 3 guitarists playing together/apart will be revealing. https://www.discogs.com/Al-Di-Meola-John-McLaughlin-Paco-De-Lucia-Friday-Night-In-San-Francisco/master/68141 These tracks will help you make final anti-skate adjustments, The greater separation is definitely revealed by those 2 tracks, then I move to other test tracks, Cassandra Wilson’s voice Blue Light Till Dawn, Richard Burton’s voice War of the Worlds, Barbra Streisand/Donna Summers duet Enough is Enough, full orchestra, Cello ... My Office system is a perfect equilateral triangle, the differences should be apparent, the old AT specs also indicate greater separation and tighter channel balance than the Shure, Much higher signal output) it’s hard to separate expected differences from ... but for imaging, various size Jazz trios, combos, mid, large bands, Imaging is a real asset for involvement, the key for enjoyment for me. We have seen/heard the Hot Sardines live 3 times, and the new cartridge was splendid yesterday playing this double LP. Donna was present for the Joe’s Pub performance on one of the 2 LPs https://www.discogs.com/The-Hot-Sardines-Welcome-Home-Bon-Voyage/release/13843636 |
tyray
I resisted MC for 30 years, the non-replaceable stylus the second reason, the 'fear' of noise from needed pre-pre-amp signal strength boost the primary reason. however, I met Bill, he is convincing, and I had improved my TT system sooo much, and I found some surprise money, so I tried my first MC cartridge, AT33PTG/II, and needed a SUT step up transformer to get the .3mv signal high enough for my MM Phono input. I'm very glad I spent the money, my prior favorite, MM Shure V15VxMR is now upstairs in my office. It wasn't inexpensive, but I think worth it. |
