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Ortofon MC A90 Cartridge VTF

I just spent the weekend at mikelavigne's where we did a comparison with three turntables all using the same Ortofon MC A90 cartridges. We had the cartridges setup at the recommended VTF and they did not all have the same amount of break-in time on them. I decided to see what would happen when we lightened the cartridges up.

We started on the first table and the weight was about 2.25. We lessened the weight until I thought that the sound really locked in. By the time we were done on the first turntable, the VTF was at around 1.56. When we did the second table we got the weight all the way down to 1.92. On the third table it ended up best at about 2.01.

All parties (myself, Mike and Steve) agreed that lightening up the carts really opened things up quite a bit without loss of bass. The inner detail and delicacy inreased as did speed and dynamics.

I called Ortofon and am awaiting a response but I was wondering if those of you who own this cartridge have gone outside the recommended range and if you could share your experiences.

There is more to read about this if you want under mikelavigne's system thread.
jtinn

Showing 5 responses by downunder

downunder
1,329 posts
 
Hi Grooves

How far above parallel is the tonearm/headshell to get to 92 degrees, for the folks like me without a microscope.

Do you find that 92 degrees works better for LP's set for 180gms or 120 gms - ie which is teh best compromise if you don't want to change the height every LP.

cheers
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Hi Lew

Tracking force range - 2.0 to 2.5 gm. Recommended tracking force 2.3gm.

It will be interesting if Mike keeps his 1.5gm long term on his Garrard, as sometimes what can seem like an improvement in the short term is not as sucessful long term.

I had a similar situation with the dyna XV-1 and HP insisting that 2.6gms was best. Yes it sounded quite impressive for the short term, however I went back to 2.05 gm's for longer term enjoyment.

A couple of days ago after Mike's post I lowered my tracking weight and had a listen to the same album. It seemed to sound better at the time, so I left it.

I measured it today and it was at 1.97gms. I will live with it for the rest of the week, play a lot of different albums, then go back to 2.3gm's and see what it sounds like then, or maybe something in between.
To me, it is important to go as slow as you can and as Lew has mentioned before - do a longer term ABA - obviously if it sounds wrong you change it.

The thing about the A90 is that it sounds great on most setting. However every time you change/tweak VTA/SRA/VTF/antiskating/azimuth etc, every change is clearly audible.

Paul,

I have no tracking issues with the Phantom at 1.97gms. It would probably be benefitial to go over check all of the alignment parameters in case something is amiss.

cheers
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I am running a Phantom 1 and i am back to around 2.3 gms and just above parallel.

the amount of damping in the Phantom has the biggest effect on the sound.

cheers
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Tuboo

If you read what Fremer said and the need for the A90 to be at 92% for correct SRA, the arm needs to be slightly up and the back.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
So guys, 2.5 years later. What Vtf is everyone running their A90's at or whatever cartridge you are using now.

I just put my a90 back on a running it at just on 2gms
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