Hi, I just now put back my Empire S1000ZE/X after a short sojourn with my recently returned new Windfeld.
Just listening to piano and orchestra is such a relief in 'reality'. It is of course all related to my all SS system, but the Windfeld can't touch the sound quality, of sweetness, pearly piano notes, hall information, sense of thereness, etc. of what this MM Empire produces.
I had to share this. Cheers, Axel |
Hi All, Raul says:+++ things are that Axelwahl is running his cartridges at 47K and that's a difference. +++
One of the draw-backs with SMD phono-boards is, that such changes (47k to 100k) are an issue...
Having said this, right now I'm back with my A&R P77 which sounds more 'right' than my new (replacement) Windfeld with or without SUT. It is incredibly fast and detailed, but somehow less real...
I like to note though, that the Windfeld with FR XF-1 SUT and NO resistive loading sounded better to me, than without SUT. However, the comments on MC vs MM/MI sound I made earlier on, still stand --- so I'm back with MM. Some say - my ears got equalised to MM over the last 3-4 month. I believe it is more -a priori- to know when an instrument sounds more 'real' or 'hyped up'. Enjoy the music, Axel |
Raul, +++ Axel, I urge to change your load impedance to 100K!!! +++
I'll work on it, but is a TX2575 *THE* resistor for this, or have we also some other useful suggestions?
I'd truly dislike the though have so solder and re-solder a discrete R on a chippoed SMD pcb... eish! Greetings, Axel |
Rayr2, I thought I only had some miscommunications with my current girl friend, and now THIS? (I am obviously not one of your famous 3, hm :-)
If you like LOMCs better then good MM/MIs what's your gripe, just enjoy the music, or?
This is funny I say, Axel |
Dear Raul: +++ How do you go with the 100K subject in your PS +++
Right now I don't... also I think that the V15 III with SAS would be the wrong item to use with 100k because it has already so much HF energy - YMMV.
I first need the SME spacer to figure out my next step, because ALL these NOS MM/MI seem on the low building-height seize for good SAR (SME V arm) clearance.
M20FL super, will be coming back soon now from William Thakker with new stylus. This one also seems fine with HF energy, but also is too low in building height for more SAR clearance.
Greetings, |
Hi ALL, as Raul mentions: [without headshell wires]...the connection is more direct and in " theory " less signal degradation that with a so low level signal is something important to care about. ABSOLUTELY, different headshell wires sound VERY different (and so would do none I guess). In my case I found using anything other then the VERY thin silver (solid) wires that come with my SME V arm I get an immediate sound variation actually degradation e.g. wires that would come with Ortofon Windfeld or Jubile...
BTW, I'm back with my Empire S1000ZE and it does more for me, in my system, then ANY Windfeld configuration of resistive loading or SUT with or without primary or secondary loading. Don't get me wrong, the Windfeld is a VERY nice sounding cart, but the Empire just does more for me --- and that is what counts in the end :-) Greetings, Axel |
Hi Dean_man, re.: that wedge washer... For all I know it was provided to allow for more VTA adjustment range of various arm/platter combinations.
In my case I can tell, the S1000ZE/X is as close as it gets to the construction parameters of e.g. my Ortofon Windfeld or Jubilee or a Lyra Dorian. That means about 18mm high and 9.5 mm from stylus tip to mounting hole centre.
So in the case of my SME V arm it fits VERY well as is --- same can not be said about many other MM oldies like AT140LC, Shure V15 III (yet still lower with SAS stylus), M20FL super and the like. In those cases a washer is needed to prevent the back of the SME V arm from touching the record when getting to the last band.
I think if the VTA adjustment range is fine without the help of any washer it is the preferred way to go.
Greetings, Axel |
Dear Raul, this Empire 1000GT item is by the same dude that is bidding up his own stuff!! Screw this. He bid it up last time and now he is trying selling it again for some nutty price jumping from 20$ to 200$ and then 225$ every couple of minutes with ~ 7 days to go.
Last time he bid his stuff up some 13 times with no apparent counter bids. I can get just pissed off only watching this BS.
Greetings, Axel |
Raul, re: 1000GT on eBay. I have some difficulty to understand this sellers story... In any case, it seems after your enquiry those 'pump-up bids' have been cancelled --- but I can almost tell you what's next: they'll be back just before closing time.
Having seen this twice by now is enough for me to keep my finger away from it.
Thank you for caring, Axel |
Hi Dgob, you may well be right. However, that's what it says on my cart box "S1000ZE/X-ERD". It incidentally includes one extra stylus. Just now checking into the manual it does not have the "S" in front, neither the "-ERD".
Go figure :-) Axel |
Well, my cartridge says on the lable of the cartridge-body "Empire 1000ZE/X" on the outer paper packing (inner is a hardwood case) it says "S1000ZE/X-ERD"
Could it be the "-ERD" addition is just the code for the stylus which is supplied in addition to the one in the cart body itself? |
Dear Raul, I will back you up with EVERY word you said as it reflects my own experience --- and you will know we have come some way in this matter.
Also, I think the wrong direction has already been taken by some new MM designs --- thankfully not my present problem. But yes, I wish some designers will take note of what is happening here, and it will be for the better, it will be for the MUSIC.
Greetings, Axel |
Lewm, I say, your search for audio truth starts to sound like Karl Popper :-) So a 40 year old integrated plastic head-shell MM had more 'thruthlikeness' then the current goodies, including 10k - 13k MCs... it is something to behold. The cart industry will have to take note Now where is our cart man C.J. these days? Greetings, Axel |
I'm currently listening to an AT-140LC and feel I would not want (once again) go back to my Windfeld MC.
These AT-…s have some higher energy treble, very close to an MC but more integrated somehow.
It must have to do with one’s rest of the system as mentioned often before. But what ever MM I fit, it always seems more musical then any of the MCs I tried.
I'm in Raul position, that I appreciate what MC can do, but after all is said and done, I listen to MM or MI --- and I been doing a fair amount of cross checking over the last few month. Axel |
Hi Dgob, hm, we Germans... seem too often in this 'class' (or lack of it) of our own. If I stepped on anyone’s toes please forgive me. It's all actually meant in good-will, --- even if it doesn't sometimes read that way.
I myself have been sort of 'anal' about all these arm resonance calculations, and not that long ago I learned that it all is best taken with a good pinch of salt i.e. experiment goes before scientific explanation -- once again...
Hi Birdliver, FWIW, compliance is not really measured in “gr” = grams ... if it's to be short and sweet, it'd be “cu” for "compliance units" :-)
Best, Axel |
Hi, is anyone actually aware, that those compliance values are measured at 100Hz with all Japanese made carts, and at 10Hz for all European ones?
To come to a comparable compliance from Japanese makes to European makes, a factor of 1.5 - 2 has to be applied to the jJpanese values.
It makes me wonder if such a variation present in the first place (factor 1.5 up to 2) will be a reason for not buying a cart rather then to simply try it out? It is of far lesser value, as seems generally accepted, so as to get 'anal' about the 'apparent' resulting arm resonance, deciding: No good for my arm!
One example, a Dorian I had re-tipped by J. Allaerts. It is quoted with 16 compliance, Allaerts let me know it was 24!! Oh, --- alright, factor 1.5 then I guess...
Personally I am highly suspicious as to how ANY of these values are derived --- it seems much more test-system dependant then we generally would like to believe.
Greetings, Axel |
Ray, well, does it (remove all doubt)...?
I have just received an ATN-440ML/OCC stylus from William Thakker --- and it sure looks like the real item and *NOT* what is shown on the picture of the link provided by Raul.
Firstly: is says *LP Gear* on the plastic body of the cantilever / stylus holder...
Secondly: the brand is rougher, simply recessed with no embossed white inlay...
AT may have 'upgraded' later ATNs body finish?, but certainly not put *LP Gear* on their stuff.
The packing itself (ATN-440ML) is a light-blue top half with white bottom halve cardboard box. Inside is a very neat *perfectly* fitting clear plastic covered over a white plastic box body. (The fit is *Japanese* H7..) That's Japanese plastic-mould tooling par excellence for you.
Inside that plastic box, a vacuum formed thin, clear plastic sheet protector holding the cart in place.
I would be really very surprised if a non-AT replacement would come in the same sort of packaging.
BTW, this ATN-440ML/OCC sounds VERY rolled off in my AT-140CL cart body, and I would not (at this stage) consider it a recommendable alternative to the proper stylus (ATN-140CL). This confirms also, Raul not seeing such "upgrades" as recommended either.
Greetings, Axel |
Raul, you are so right about "fair price" I have my Ortofon M20FL Super back in the system and it is some cart of note. It also can pack some bass punch and then some.
Interesting to note: I use A LOT of positive VTA (at least 3mm measured on the V arm = ~ 5 - 6mm pivot up) and it actually sounds just right. Therefore no need for head-shell washer and no V arm clearance issue either.
Greetings, Axel |
One more for the road: I have ordered today a Nagaoka MP-50 from LP gear.
I will give my feedback (all SS system) about how it compares to the M20FL, as soon as I receive it.
I'm feeling like hanging a bit out of a bus, as it's price is pretty close to that of a much more current Ortofon M2 Black... let's hope it was the better decision.
Axel |
Hi Lewm,
I think listening to big foils may just be a VERY nice compliment to this cart, and in turn I suspect that a V15 III, VN35MR become more noticeably brash. Brashness and "greyness" are related, again it can only think of it in terms of a different harmonic behaviour.
However, with ALL MM/MI carts I do not experience this sort of "harmonic discontinuation", or as some would call it "blackness between the notes" of most better MCs.
Raul might be able to shed some light of his own listening experiences on what I'm trying to get at.
The M20FL is supremely good in maintaining the "flow" and harmonic structure by portraying the full frequency spectrum, so at least is my listening experience.
The V15 III, is a bit more artificial by comparison ---- YET I'd just listened to a nice but relatively small upright piano the other day ----------- any rig, ANY RIG! I have heard this far just sounds like a more or less accomplished copy thereof. This would include some like the Steinway Dipoles by Lingdorf, and the biggest effort of Martin Logan with huge bass arrays running all on the bigges ARC tube monos (like 2 small fridges in size, etc.
Sometimes it make we wonder what we are actually trying to do :-)
Greetings, Axel |
Lewm, Raul, I followed that call (MP-50) and so be it. It's like "cherche la femme; or Et Dieu… créa la femme") or "Und immer lockt das Weib".
A beautiful sounding cart has something in common with that "la femme" there is some mystic hidden in those more beautiful ones. Why resist? -- 'Cause: "What you resist persists".
The M20FL is as Raul rightly puts it an "Aristocrat", yes. The Shure is a bit of a hot "trollop" by comparison, but then that's exiting also... :-)
It be interesting to get a take on that MP50 when I receive it --- could be a chirpy Blonde? We shall see.
Greetings, Axel |
Hi All, I just did another 1 week cross-check between my Ortofon Windfeld and Ortofon M20FL Super. There where some questions raised whether some LOMC vs MM~MI x-checking had occurred --- well yes.
The M20FL has clearly better harmonics, better stage, same speed, and more flow, just to keep it simple. The Windfeld has *no chance* --- unless one has no ear for what makes some of the music, and confuses it with mere ~resolution~. The M20FL has that too by the way. As far as I'm concerned it's a -no contest-. Greetings, |
Downunder, yes all you say has merit, and all I forgot to put was the always required mantra: YMMV :-) Axel |
Siniy123, y.s.: "I can hear a signature of its simple alloy cantilever"
Guess what? The signature of those boron cantilevers are on my list since some time, as to why ALL my higher priced MCs do sound so uninvolving. (The A90 has EXACTLY the same motor than has the Windfeld acc. to Ortofon only a very different, stripped down body. Yes, that body also makes some of that music too.)
Boron gives you the "idea" of some more detail... it sure gives you also some messed-up harmonics - I'm pretty sure about this by now.
It's a whole subject on its own and some small cart makers have turned their backs to those boron sticks. Go figure. Greetings, |
Siniy123, you mix up Boron with Beryllium! The former does not allow for "pipes" the latter does. Beryllium is a very poisonous material in powder form and needs a VERY specialised process to still use it as e.g. in tweeter domes such as still manufactured by Focal.
Beryllium tube cantilevers are rather different to Boron sticks and superior to alu no doubt, yet are no more made due to the cost of handling the poisons material. (Once baked / sintered it is not poisons at all, but as soon as it produces dust e.g. when trimmed or cut it is very problematic) Axel |
Gaugain, what you described sounded to me like incorrectly attached cart wires. I had this twice with an EEI 500 and an 1000ZE/X until I figured that the connecting pins where in very different positions to all my MC carts. I somehow had just taken it for granted that they where all in the same places --- the are not! An incorrect connection will EXACTLY produce the effect you described. Greetings, Axel |
Downunder, on the one side you speak of tolerance, on the other of WACO :-) Funny, is it just me, but I have absolutely no issue(s) with Raul's contributions what ever. In fact he often mediated when things got a bit hot, and I truly appreciate THAT. If he tells you *his truth* about system colouration, well some will not like to hear such, and some would know it anyway and be fine by it.
The man has a deep motivation to beautiful musical sounds and actually showed me some insights. Never actually found him bullying his opinions. So let's keep it rolling I say, and when my MP-50 arrives it may just be the first bloody boron-stick I can say I'd *truly* like :-) Best of greetings, Axel |
Downunder, so let's agree my system is really whacked out and that is why MCs don't sound closer to the real thing as this MI cart does.
The difference is BY NO SMALL margin! I use 47k straight into my ML-326S phono-modules and the 60dB input which sounds by far more clearer then the 40dB input. Done many a test and I guess it's the better OP-amp responsible, food for thought i.e. MM = cheap so use some cheap OP-amp to boot, and then go do some comparative testing, right?
I have listened to SUT (with and with loading), and any MC loading imaginable, the M20FL just beats the lot. Every LP (I have a good sound memory) just has that bit more "there-ness, live-ness" to offer. Plus all MCs I listened to in some other dang good systems just do not have this either. So I come from a point of MY KNOWING, and that's all.
I do not have 5 'tables and arms to make this some scientifically relevant thing, it simply just IS - with my set-up, WACKO or no WACKO, period. Now if MCs sound best to you in your set-up that's just great. Maybe spending $20k on a Platinum this or the next might even sound greater yet, and will be something to look forward to then :-) BTW, I had heard some of my LPs on some not so good system with not so good set-up with some good MM tho' (where I bought them 2nd hand). Listing to them at home afterwards I was slightly disappointed (using one of my MCs then). Now, they sound right e.g. Sarah Vaughan "Copacabana" see: http://www.amazon.com/Copacabana-Sarah-Vaughan/dp/B000000XLM I now can tell why I bought them :-)
Thank you for sharing, Axel |
Rayr2, y.s.: ...but challenge him on what he says... :-) aye.
Being a rebel has it's rewards, no? Yet, when I look back at my contributions to those early parts of this thread I have to admit: I just didn't get it, and the subject seemingly so off the wall :-)
All that changed since then really, are some cross-over modifications to my Burmester speakers, nothing else. They now are a lot more revealing since these earlier times and boy can I hear what doesn't work now! (not so good with a lesser cart for sure). But I can CLEARLY hear that the M20FL is superior to the Windfeld in MUSIC MAKING i.e. the points mentioned earlier by Lewm. We have VERY different systems yet come to the same findings, that should be telling. Axel |
Hi all and sundry, having received my MP-50 today, the first thing to say: if this is not original I'm not! :-) It is a most beautifully packaged and preciously manufactured cart. They just don't bother to make stuff like that anymore, never mind for $500!
Now to the sound. Straight out of the box it sounds slightly better then the best MCs I heard in my system, but just a tad brittle which may go away after a few hours of play. We shall see. BTW this "brittleness" is what (I this far) could always attribute to boron cantilevers, and well yes, you guessed it --- that one is blessed with boron also. I had said enough about my perceived influence on sound by this material, I'll see if this one will break the mould. Lastly, right now I shall be surprised if it will out-class my M20FL, if so it would be by a very small margin --- but some more playing time will settle this also and I will report back. Greetings, Axel |
Hi all, early feedback on my MP-50, --- Houston we have a problem! This cart seems by more the 20dB RF sensitive than anything I had in my system. The result is, that my SME 10 TT motor controller kicks up too much noise for comfort (or a relevant listening comparison).
That seems a $500 learning experience. Nothing wrong with the cart I think, after checking with all my other carts it's not an issue (the controller noise).
It is something to watch out for if someone has a similar set-up. Greetings, Axel |
Lewm, Changing the mounting hardware 'miraculously' solved the problem. I think it was a hex-nut touching the metal body and in this case of the SME V arm causing a very slight shorting between the RF screen and the arm's ground...
Not a day with learning, I say. Axel |
OK, MP-50; some first impressions now. 1) dynamics = good LOMC type impression i.e. maybe less "natural" than M20FL but very *dynamic*, thunderous bass when its on the vinyl! 2) setting a more dense stage but very interestingly also a noticeably HIGHER stage, yet not as voluptuous as M20FL. 3) very MC like presentation but still with more pleasant type of "flow" to the music, but definitely more compact and "on the point" type presentation. 4) clearly noticeably: less forgiving when vinyl gets hot e.g. "Fountains of Rome" Philadelphia SO with Ormandy 5) more noticeable "deep" detail presentation, moving more into A or B row compared to F or G row with M20FL. (I'm not sure this is great for full classic orchestra some of this vastness gets lost...) 6) "Tonality" or tone, M20FL got that beautifully taped, yet when it gets very busy, the MP-50 has less tendency to smear but still does some smearing (my system starts pegging by then, sorry :-) 7) presentations are happening in a different setting, as mentioned more compact, more detailed, more forward. 8) tone is more natural with M20FL but this is early yet and may change with MP-50. 9) seems a very good tracker, as good as I've heard it
Lewm, it sure is one very good cart and having to decide for this one or my Windfeld I jump for the MP-50, the comparison to the M20FL is like comparing two orchestras in two different halls, that is what I can tell at best right now. Greetings, Axel |
Siniy123, y.a.: can you please tell me how MP-50 diamond is mounted in cantilever?
I would say it is "naked" same as e.g. Windfeld, Dorian, Jubilee --- but of course the boron with MMs as always then glued into a short alu-tube stub, as is with e.g. a Shure SAS replacement stylus. |
Rizl, thanks for the tip on Vinyl Engine, but your directions are not good enough for me. I'm a member and I tried to find this stuff... no find.
Dagob, I don't exactly recall where and when these "solutions to MP-50 problems" where mentioned, and I was present most of the time during these 1000 + posts... Any clue for me?
Not that I have any problem now, aber bitte mein Herr! :-) that MOUNTING HARDWARE can screw up your earth / screen arrangement (creating some sort of earth loop) that's a brand new one for me --- also I NEVER ever read about such ANYWHERE either! Yet that's what clearly can be the case (with a SME V at least), and I had the prove :-) Greetings, Axel |
Rizl, been there, no "reviews" there !? only "articles"...and then only up to page 5 and not 7, as you suggested, once in "articles" ?! Are talking about the same thing? That's why I asked again... Axel |
Dagob, thanks 1) burn-in > 10hrs --- good to recall (I'm still some hours to go) 2)isolated from fixing bolts, aye!!!! --- just learned that one the hard way. 3) slightly positive VTA, yes I agree 4) magnesium headshell -- hm, SME V is just that, but fixed of course 5) top grade headshell connector leads -- aye, SME V is pure silver as it the arm AND phono-cable. 6)medium mass tonearm --- aye, SME V is just that with ~ 11g mass 7) real attention to setup --- well, SME V has it's own thingie and fine by me right now 8)a top of the range moving magnet phonostage ---- hm, using ML-326S phono-modules (inside this pre) with the 60dB input, about as good as it gets.
>>> Set up in this way, it can show strengths that you might not find elsewhere<<< I DO AGREE! Thanks again for the "TOTAL RECALL" :-), very kind and caring of you. Best regards, Axel |
Halcro, it is a rather particular issue with the MP-50 and something I had not encountered a such (knowingly) this far. Maybe the only difference between MP-50 and MP-500, less susceptibility to RF?
I have found a way around it. The other issue is a distinctly higher RF sensitivity (about 12dB) of the MP-50, in picking up electronic (SME 10) motor controller noise.
As I'd said, improve one thing find something else, it keeps us all interested, now doesn't it :-) Axel |
Hi, I'm clocking up some issues with my MP-50. Having overcome (I should think I did) the mounting bolt ~insulating issue, I now experience an ongoing static discharge problem in the form of pops, that none of my other carts have.
This cart sounds great (it makes that "best cart ever" advert for the Windfeld an absolute joke! YMMV) but I dare say, the MP-50 does have some issues I never so far had to deal with. Right now I'm cross-checking with the Empire S1000ZE/X, which has no "static-pops" issues what ever, and a slightly bigger but slightly looser bass, and making different "distinctions", more related to M20FL super.
Greetings, Axel |
Hi, I been working with shorter mounting bolts (as short as can still hold a nut, at the bottom). I'd noticed that some other carts also have minor issues in that department (picking up more RF). The result with my Empire 1000ZE/X is quite interesting, it sounds better then ever. In fact I now prefer it to the MP-50 (more natural tone), that means something ---- for now :-) Greetings, Axel |
Downunder, thinking about your comment, and thinking about all those favourable tests of the Windfeld, I'm starting to think I maybe sounding unfair to the product.
Could it be that the 60dB OP-Amp (the better sounding compared to the 40dB one in my phono-modules) just likes a higher input voltage, and if provided by my SUT FR XF-1 (30dB) with the 0.3mV Windfeld, or when going in without SUT the added 18dB boost required by the ML-326S just produces that difference in results between MC and MM/MI?
With MC it is just a sort of "empty" (in the midrange mostly) sound that lacks vibrancy, or "there-ness". Having heard what a good MM/MI can do, this MC sound becomes almost pathetic in this regard ---- all "stuff" seems to be there, yet something is missing. Therefore it could well be some lacking ability in my phono-modules. Having said this, I had used a PS Audio GCPH before and it didn't come close to my phono-modules in terms of resolution, stage, air, ect.
I might think an e.g. $20k+ Allen Wright phono-/pre-amp might show those MCs in a different light. Yet it truly begs the question needing such super pricey boutique items just to make an MC sound the way it should, not so?
I have a suspicion that even this MC A90 would not really do it in my system, I had a Transfiguration Orpheus in and I can only say: and then so what?!
So if MF tested the Windfeld in his system and using a Boulder phono-pre for $29K alone, it may help to explain at least some of what is going on.
Greetings, Axel |
Downunder, just to get the wording right, I never would say any MC sounds *BAD* in my system, unless ~*empty like* = bad...
It's just that MMs or MI sounds rather closer to natural, or less mechanical if you wish. I had a EAR 864P of my son's in my system and here the tube (has the same phono-stage inside as is the 834P) just produced some euphonic with an MC but it's like mutton dressed as lamb to my ears. Greetings, Axel PS: I also know it in his system using his own MCs (Lyra and Dynavector) it's entertaining but e.g. piano really sounds a bit like a joke. |
Ooops, Grado RSII ... sounds like earphones to me?! |
Hi, I've a question to the MP-50: What means: "IM type"?
The MP-50 manual states: " The MP cartridge power generation mechanism, an IM type, is that the magnet outside the vibrating system magnetizes the vibrator. The set magnet selected .... uses samarium cobalt... etc."
Is "IM" the same as "MI" such as is the case in the M20FL super, or Grado carts for that matter? Thanks Axel |
A question: Why are MM / MI cart better trackers? I slowly find out that some more difficult grooves are negotiated with just more aplomb, then with any amount of fiddling when I use some of my MCs. In fact I have come to think it may well be one explanation why some of these dumb MM / MI are simply sounding better --- less mistracking = less distorting, and I'm NOT only talking about the most blatant most noticeable stuff. If it happens with the rough, so it will with the more subtle, and influence ultimate clarity and harmonics. Any thoughts about that? Axel |
Right Raul, I recall your saying this, yes. I do now think it must be weighted much higher as how it came across to me at the time (might be just me though). It is most noticeable with very difficult tracks, yet in the less noticeable parts it translates into loss of "inner detail". I have just no further explanation for this by now. Thank you for reaffirming your earlier and more detailed statement on the subject. Axel |
Downunder, the spec. sheet of the seller says 1.5g VTF for the M20FL super and NO range is given. Axel |
Lewm, >>> When you changed the load resistor on your Windfeld from 100R to 47R...Does it now compete with the M20FL, in your opinion of course? <<< Yes, it does --- in a way that e.g. the MP-50 does compete. It's sort of like two pretty women, one with ~ better legs [M20FL] and the other with better "front-end" [Wndfld] :-) (Incidentally, it is also 47ohm loaded when using the SUT of 30dB into 47K phono-pre, this too confirms the 47ohm somehow). So your next question is the difference between 47R "straight" and 47ohm SUT impedance, yes? Lets wait until after Xmas, and a good one to you all you folks too :-) Axel |
Lewm, just for the record, I mentioned that "very substantial" pivot up, when one of the folks here understood you it being only "slightly" up. As it turn out, I came to this conclusion via the same road as you did. It is so substantially up, that under the usual circumstances I'd never have tried. The unusual circumstance in my case was the SME V arm touching the record edge when busy on the inner grooves. So a complete no-go with "level arm" (sans shim) so that tall VTA made all difference in mechanics and the sound as it turns out. As I mentioned it is equal to level arm with a 18mm tall cart and translates to about 5mm pivot up. Greetings, Axel |
Downunder, 10/10 it is a mounting bolt nut that touches the cart body (screen), I mentioned this issue about the sensitivity of the MP-50. as it turns out the M20FL is the same susceptible. If this happens the cart screen is connected to the arm's grounding and creating an earth loop. greetings, Axel |