Thank you Raul for starting this thread and sharing your experiences and expertise. I started researching it, and your "discoveries..." thread a number of months ago after spending 18 wonderful months with a SS rebuilt DL103.
I'm currently enjoying two of the Empire cartridges you recommended-the 600LAC and the 900GT, along with a cartridge that D. Pogue recommended in this thread as well-the Pickering TL-2S. From time to time I'm also enjoying examples from the previous two Empire generations of cartridges that weren't recommended in this thread, but I found that I like them--an Empire 1000ZE/X, and 888TE. They certainly aren't as refined as the 600LAC or 900GT, and they really don't belong on the "list" because of this, but to my ears they are effective and pleasing music-makers.
Please accept my thanks for initiating these discussions about MM cartridges!
Jim
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Good morning Timeltel, Hi, Tom. I'm going to hold the Acutex 4XX and enjoy it "as is" for now. At the moment my 3XX is still occupying all of my attention, though! |
Most recently I've set up my Empire 1000 ZE/X for use with my Magnepan Unitrac arm, which in turn I've used on a couple of vintage 'tables--a Russco Mk V belt/idler hybrid and a Thorens TD 150 Mk II. I tend to track it at 1 gram, VTA very slightly nose down, just a touch of antiskate, and like it a lot. I agree wholeheartedly with the statements about a rich midrange and excellent all-around performance and I'll add "no listening fatigue, ever."
Gee three 1000ZE/X posts in a row, we ought to start a club :)
Jim |
After about 30 hrs with the Andante P-76 I thought I'd share some initial reactions. I haven't yet worked to optimize setup but in my system the cartridge seems to like 1.35 grams and no AS, mounted on a Magnepan Unitrac arm with the bottom of the stylus cover parallel to the LP.
I think its strongest musical strengths include the ability to reproduce musical flow and nuance without unnecessarily highlighting or calling undue attention to detail. As noted by another poster it's quiet in the groove, well balanced, and fast, just for a reference it seems quicker than my Empire 600LAC and just as quick as my Soundsmith rebuilt / mahogany-potted DL103. I haven't yet heard it lose its composure in demanding music, rhythmically or tonally. Picking nits I'd say its only musical downside is that while its dynamics are good, in my system it doesn't display the explosive capabilities of the Soundsmith/Denon. The relatively low output of the cartridge isn't a bother for me but if I didn't have some gain to spare in my listening space that would be an issue.
Just for context my small arsenal of vintage MMs consists of some Empires (600LAC, 900GT, 1000ZE/X, 888TE), another p-mount "super cartridge" (Pickering TL-2S), some "old" and "new" body Stanton 500 with an assortment of styli, and a few modest ATs. My only MC is the modified Denon. Phonostage is a Wright WPP100, Cinemag SUT when needed, the turntable I've been listening with is a Russco Mk V belt-idler hybrid; amplification is a modest Melody/Onix SP8 with vintage preamp tubes and Valve Art 350B output tubes.
Most of my serious listening is with Western art music, but some jazz and some rock. It's easy to say that this cartridge's wonderful yet unassuming musical performance has no relation to its ridiculously low cost.
A poster on another forum mentioned a few years ago that the Andante company was made up of Grace designers/engineers after Grace went out of business, can anyone add any history to this bit of a mystery?
Jim |
Dave, I haven't yet converted my Wright to 100K, I've been hoping for a tutorial to appear in here!
I got the p-mount adaptor from AVCR Electronics (turntableneedles.com)(free shipping). It seems compact and stiff/not flexible and much more so than the one I use with the TL-2S. Perhaps as stiff as the built in "sling" on my 888TE/VE (forgot to mention I have both styli for this one). Anyway the adaptor was only $7 but pins aren't gold plated. It looks pretty good mounted with the P-76 and not cheesy at all.
Jim |
Raul, yes I am *close* to the Empire cartridges I have, and like them a lot. But the Andante P-76 is very good also, quite a contrast to the Empire 600LAC (probably the closest in performance to compare, from my group) and for so little money. As you have said it is good to have cartridge "alternatives!"
Jim |
Raul, regarding "What do you think? which is your explanation to those " alarming " differences?"
I think it's at least in part due to the goals of the designer of the item at hand. And, at least in part due to the kind of music used as a reference by the designer.
Stories abound about hifi designers in the 60s and 70s who voiced by ear and used live classical music as the ultimate reference. For instance a ca 1965 KLH speaker advertisement I have actually talks about the importance of reproducing orchestral sound in a concert hall environment, crescendos, and timbre! The ad copy of my ca. 1969 Empire 1000 ZE/X cartridge references the orchestra, too--"The Empire 1000 cartridge is the pulse of your entire music system. It keeps every note in true character from the lowest B of the contra bassoon to the highest C of the Piccolo." These designers worked into the 80s, through the period when the more radical stylus shapes became common. So many of these later advanced MMs from that period are mentioned in this thread, and I'm also thinking that it might be safe to assume that those same designers did not substantively change their fundamental musical goals as their careers matured and as the technology became more sophisticated.
Contrast this to ad copy of a very famous current (LOMC) cartridge that says its design focus is to provide a "well balanced sound image." That cartridge's ad copy doesn't mention music at all but instead to me reads like a checklist of audiophile and spatial attributes. A famous current MM "ensures notably detailed reproduction throughout the spectrum, including even the most high frequency groove information." Again, no mention of music.
Does this capture some of what you are alluding to?
Jim
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Dear Raul, I agree with your statements about perceived customer expectations, possible influence of reviewers on those expectations, and perceived pressure that designers may feel.
I've never seen the second bassoonist of an orchestra stand on his chair during a performance, when his important bit was to be played (just to make sure that everyone hears it). But audio reviews sometimes make it seem that highlighting of inner detail is exactly what the listener should hear with a good cartridge?
Jim
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Lharasim, you're telling me! Guilty here of many years playing in civic orchestras, etc etc, and still attending 40+ concerts annually myself...
Perhaps I should have chosen another analogy about inner detail in reality vs highlighted/exaggerated inner detail in some playback devices--but I hope you got the intention :)
Jim |
Astatic MF-200....at about the same time that Dave picked up his MF-100, I got an NOS MF-200H (w/Astatic headshell) on that auction site for the princely sum of $9.99. It has a few features in common with the TOTL MF-100 in its high compliance, magnetic flux technology and parabolic stylus. Nice packaging and specs, too. $9.99!
The MF-200 provides a lush and warm tonal balance that is relaxed in its rhythmic presentation. In classical music in particular it provides musical nuance similar to my Empire 600LAC although its feature-set is different (the relative strength of the MF-200 seems to be in reproducing "reverberation" and note tapering detail; the 600LAC is better with leading edges, rhythm, and timbre). So I can see why Raul had these two in the same performance group when he started this thread. I think either one could be preferable depending on musical preferences, listening priorities, etc. I think the MF-200 is a nice piece of work that *sounds expensive.*
Hearing it is another musical adventure, and an educational one, too. I'll be hanging on to it.
Jim |
To Raul and Axelwhal, and other Empire 1000ZE/X owners...
Regarding the 1000 ZE/X I've taken to putting a small spacer across the front of the cartridge, between the cartridge and headshell, before tightening the mounting bolts. This creates most of the pronounced/positive VTA needed for the cartridge, on my Unitrac anyway, allowing me to focus on making very small arm adjustments when optimizing setup.
Anyway I got the idea from the 1000ZE/X owners manual, where it shows a photo of an adaptor piece that Empire made for this purpose. I'm simply using a short piece of a black plastic wire tie, about 1/32" thick and 3/4" long going across the headshell width, and it's working like a charm for me. Visually one wouldn't notice it unless one was looking for it.
Have any other owners experimented with creating (some of) the positive VTA needed for this cart through means other than raising the arm a bunch?
I love how this cartridge plays music!
Jim |
Dear Raul, I have used the 1000ZE/X with and without the spacer, mostly without. My Unitrac arm is fully adjustable and the 1000ZE/X works beautifully to my ears when mounted in the usual way. To my eyes however the Unitrac-ZE/X-table combination I have just "looks" more natural/better with the the armpost not as high. My ears cannot detect a decline in performance this way. In fact mine may still be running in as it continues to improve and befuddle!
Jim |
Dear Raul, from what I've learned in the past 18 months I agree with you. One of the things I have learned/experienced is that the combination of arm effective mass, arm construction material, headshell material and headshell mass can have an obvious effect on a particular cartridge's performance. So I think it reasonable that there may be a particular arm that a particular integrated cart/headshell sounds fabulous on, and another not so much, even if the particular arms are theoretically matched well to the cartrige with effective mass.
If nothing else an integrated cartridge/headshell provides no easy means of optimizing mass for a particular arm. Have you experienced surprises along these lines, with an integrated cartridge and the array of arms at your disposal?
Jim |
Raul and others, like Lewm I'm hoping for some opinions or observations of the M20FL Super's performance as compared to some of the other wonderful performers that have been discussed since Raul began this thread (such as the Andante P-76, or the Empire 1000ZE/X)? Or, comparisons to cartridges listed in the original post such as the Astatic MF series, the more modern Empires, or the Nagaoka MP-50? I'm delighted with the small but relatively potent group of vintage MM/MI/MF cartridges and spare styli I've managed to assemble (Andante P-76. Astatic MF-200, Empire 600LAC/900GT/1000ZEX/888TE, Pickering TL-2S) and I want to be "tactical." I own only three arms! Many thanks for any help.
Regards, Jim |
Axel, that 1000ZE/X is beguiling...and it still seems to be improving as the hours click away. Maybe mine is still breaking in (about 25 hours of use on a NOS stylus, swapping it in and out with a few other cartridges)?
I have to also acknowledge that I get pleasure from using a 40-year old cartridge that works so well...
As far as the bolts go, mine is mounted with the bolt head underneath the headshell and the nut above, but I'm using the shortest ones that will work.
Jim |
Downunder, regarding "trying to make easy cash..."
Well I've been listening to my mounted P-76 for many weeks, joining my Empire 1000ZE/X, Astatic MF-200, 3 other Empires (600LAC, 900GT, 888TE), and Pickering TL-2S along with my Ruby/LC/Wooded DL103. One or more spare styli or replacement cartridges for each of the vintage MM/MI/MF, but only four vintage arms. Given any kind of realistic rotation my 'extra' P76 would likely be sitting idle in its box for the next 30 years. Not having a collector's view I came to the conclusion that it would be better to let it go so that someone might enjoy it. When listing it I was prepared for it to go at the opening bid amount and will have no qualms if it ends up selling at the current auction price.
And, Raul, we shall see. I hope it goes to someone who will use and enjoy it.
Regards,
Jim |
Regarding Raul's report of VTA and the Astatic MF-100, I can confirm similar results in using an unusually forward VTA with it's 'little brother' the MF-200. For me the more forward VTA with the MF-200 resulted in hearing a cartridge that warrants continued use and sourcing NOS styli for it. Less so with less-forward VTA, to my ears anyway.
Earlier experiments in the thread regarding unusually forward VTA revolved around the Empire 1000ZE/X. I can report that I also prefer a more forward VTA with the Empire's 'younger' brother the 600LAC (in terms of age, the 1000ZE/X was introduced in 1969, the 600LAC around 1983). But, a bit less forward than with the 1000ZE/X.
Having similar results to unusually forward VTA within certain cartridge families makes me wonder about what the designers might have been thinking...or if these cartridges share SRA parameters in common that would in turn affect the user's need to increase VTA.
Also, wondering if these current results have anything to do with compensating for the 15 degree tracking angle (as opposed to the current practice of 20 degrees) that was built in to so many cartridges of those days?
Jim |
Lewm, I recently ordered a pair of what appear to be genuine Empire 1000ZE/X replacement styli for $60 each (the original price tag was interestingly enough $59.99 I think), and when they arrive I'll create a 'system' here and post some images along with the stylus I currently have on my 1000ZE/X. At that point I'll mention the vendor. I am certain the stylus I am currently using is a genuine Empire replacement, and an example with the very thin cantilever mentioned above.
Jim |
Regarding the Empire 1000ZE/X, I posted the other day that I ordered a pair of what I suspected would be genuine Empire replacement styli. The styli arrived yesterday and I've spent a couple of hours with them this morning, before going outside with the kids for a snowball fight rematch :)
My original NOS stylus came in an Empire package, model 236-ZDE, the original price sticker showing $59.95. The package says it replaces Empire S-1000ZE / X-ERD....tracking force 1/10 g (!). It is the thin cantilever version like the photo posted recently by Royj.
The two that arrived yesterday were together in a generic plastic case with the vendor's label on it, labeled 236ZDE. Their supply must be in a bulk pack of some sort?
In any event they appear identical to the one I've been using since Sept 08. Molded Empire logo on the front, gold painted background. Very thin cantilever, identical construction to the naked eye, and I'm certain they're genuine.
Neither of the new arrivals are visually defective, and they sound similar to how I remember my 'old' stylus sounding until it was run in. Wonderful timbre and tonal balance but rhythmically a bit sluggish with a slightly-compressed soundstage. I'm feeling confident that after 50 hrs each they'll open up, develop focus, and show their rhytmic virtuosity if that isn't too strong a word.
$59.95 each from Garage-a-Records with a 10% discount for two or more, cheap shipping. No affiliation, YMMV, etc.
Regards,
Jim
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Lewm, Garage a Records has/had NOS genuine Empire S1000ZE/X-ERD styli for $60 each. A pair of them will set you back for less than a single one from BluzBroz, if Garage a Records still has them.
Raul, I'm glad you mentioned the Empire again. Other than an Empire LTD 750 to go along with my 600LAC and 900GT I stopped buying vintage MMs several months ago, as I enjoy the 1000ZE/X too much to take it off of the arm(s)for more than a few minutes...
Jim |
Dgarretson,
The 999XE/X and some models that begin with 1000 take a 239 stylus with a square cantilever "sheath," like this one: http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-239-PDE_p_989.html
The 1000ZE/X takes a 236 stylus with a round cantilever "sheath," like this one: http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-236-ZDE_p_976.html
Earlier in the thread a person/manufacturer posted photos of his 1000ZE/X styli (in his system here on a'gon)(one stylus with a thicker cantilever, one with a whisker-thin one). I distinctly remember that they are of the 236 variety, with the round sheaths.
The three styli I purchased NOS are all of the 236 number, specifically Empire S1000ZE/X-ERD. Fwiw each one has the "whisker-thin" version of the cantilever.
It sounds like your 999 is a completely different critter from my 1000ZE/X?
Jim |
Dave, I've noticed Empire bodies like the one in your link and it makes me wish there was more information on the 'net about them, because after an embarrassing amount of time looking I can find precious little. It's great that you're liking your 999X/EX with the S999XE/X stylus (whew!), though. If it's like my old Empires it may have been sitting in a drawer for a couple of decades at least and may need 50+ hours to get its groove on again so to speak :) Additional 1000ZE/X examples are bound to show up on that auction site, I bought my current one in an auction for a headshell; the listing didn't even identify what the cartridge was but I certainly recognized it!
Jim |
Downunder are you referring to the SE/X stylus that was in the same lineup as the ZE/X? If so the basic specs are in the 1000ZE/X owners manual that is available for download at Vinyl Engine....
Jim |
Headsnappin, according to the 1000ZE/X owners manual (you can download at Vinyl Engine), the following are in the same line: 999VE/X, 999TE/X, 999SE/X, 999PE/X, 999E/X, 999X, 909E/X, 909X, and 90EE/X.
According to turntableneedles.com, searching briefly by cartridge number it appears that the only one of these that used the 236 stylus style was the 1000ZE/X. The 235 etc stylus styles for the rest of the line aren't cross listed with the 1000ZE/X. And, searching by stylus number it appears that the results are the same. But some of the styli for this line 'look' to be the same style as the 236. There may be a more comprehensive way of looking/researching but in the end one may never truly know until one tries?
In that regard I recently ordered a non-standard NOS stylus for an Empire 999XE/X body I have (entirely different line from the 1000ZE/X, but a cartridge that another poster has commented very positively on) that I believe will fit. It was a gamble and in a few days I'll find out if it was a good one...
Jim |
Raul, even beyond that, not all of the square hole Empire bodies have the same size and/or depth of hole!
Get back in bed and get better soon!
Jim |
Dgarretson, thank you for sharing a great part find. Will these clips expand to fit a typical/normal cartridge pin as well? I've been looking for a quality clip for diy cartridge leads for a while now...
Regards, Jim |
Will, I have those three Empires you mention and I agree with you. Of the three I prefer the 600LAC by a small margin on the modest tonearms at my disposal but to do so I have to pick nits as they say.
I understand your statement about 'keeping secrets,' but on the other hand this thread has helped a number of folks source and acquire some wonderful vintage cartridges. Raul's infectious enthusiasm has led others to display a willingness to share information so that others can (also) benefit, and I'm grateful for it.
In case you haven't already run into it, on ebay Thakker has some Empire 1080LT cartridges, that have the same paralinear stylus as the 600LAC (albeit a slightly different cantilever). A touch less than USD200. Also, at some point in this thread a poster reported finding the Jico shibata-style replacement stylus a bit better than that on his stock LTD750.
Stick around if you can!
Jim |
Raul, thank you for the brilliant review of the AKG. The odds of running into one of these are pretty slim, so I really appreciate the opportunity to read about it. I'd love to hear it someday but in the mean time I'll be pleased to continue with my little arsenal that was acquired as a direct result of this thread :)
Jim |
Raul, you never cease to amaze. Quite a bounty of possibilities you posted today. I think you are indefatigable! To add to the day's great choices here's an example of the Empire 4000DIII, still available.
http://cgi.ebay.com/EMPIRE-4000-D-III-MM-W-Cartridge-NIB-NOS-ALL-Original-/250695006030?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a5e96374e
Regarding the Astatic you posted, it wasn't that long ago that I got my NOS MF200 for $9.99...but considering its performance it surely is worth $225+ :)
Best, Jim |
Timeltel, thank you for sharing that great REG article here! Regards, Jim |
You're quite welcome Lewm, and I think you're going to have a bunch of fun! And I envy you, having (3) of the nude STR styli (sniff). Regarding your 412, I also have a 4XX, in my case a 410E.
In any event with the STR I'd suggest that you not draw any conclusions until you're certain it's run in and the sound has stabilized. Raul reported that his sample took only a few minutes, but the sound of my NOS stylus continued to change for at least a dozen hours before I got a sense that things were settling down. By 20 hours I was certain. Please be sure to report what you hear/think! And please let me know if you ever run into another source for those STR styli :) Jim |
Greetings Raul, Tom, and all other Acutex LPM 315 III STR owners.
About 5 months ago I decided to buy one example from the batch of NOS 315STR styli that were then available for this cartridge and pass the time until I was able to source a 3XX LPM (“lowest possible mass”) body. A couple of weeks ago a 3XX LPM body arrived and I was finally able to assemble the LPM 315 III STR. I now have about 20 hours on it. I started by installing it on an AT LS12 headshell and then moved it to an AT MG10, which I prefer with the Micro Seiki arm I’m using.
After reading Raul’s review of this cartridge it is needless to say that its performance is stellar, but I’ll just add that its musical flow, speed, power, presence, transparency, and tonal balance exceed that of the other vintage MM/MI/MF cartridges that I’ve assembled over the last few years. Whether the recording is a 50-yr old RCA LSC or a recent audiophile reissue; orchesstral bombast, solo vocal, delicate chamber music, heavy fusion, R&R, pop, R&B, bluegrass, electric jazz, acoustic jazz, or some combinatinon of the above, the musical result for me so far has been the same.
Besides its musical and technological sophistication, the unique STR stylus has the additional benefit of being eerily quiet in the groove, quieter than even the Sumiko Andante P-76.
Thanks, Raul, for unearthing and reviewing this great vintage cartridge, and thanks to Tom for his generosity of spirit. This cartridge was most definitely worth the wait!
Regards, Jim |
Frogman and Travbrow, you are describing my perception of my Empire cartridges as well.
I don't have the 4000DIIII but my 1000ZE/X, 600LAC, 750LTD, 900GT, 999XE/X, and even the 888TE all exhibit the trait of bringing the music back alive. Flesh and blood, energy, musical nuance and spirit, it's all there. However I consider the timbral characteristics of these not as colored per se, but as being within the normal/neutral range that one encounters through hearing acoustic music in a variety of recital and concert halls. Within that normal range I find them a tad warmish but completely acceptable in terms of timbre, very much like a recital hall I know pretty well. And in contrast, to my taste greatly preferable to a cold sounding hall (or cartridge).
Jim |
Raul and Timeltel, just for the sake of mentioning it, at 5.0 mv output per channel the Empire 1000ZE/X is another a stout one that has been highly regarded in here ;) Regards, Jim. |
Acman, perhaps Raul will also chime in but I own an Empire 750 LTD and enjoy it. It takes the same stylus assembly style as the 900 GT or 600 LAC (numbered 241 or 242, they're interchangeable). I've used it with the LAC stylus, a .2X.7 biradial stylus on a "boron vapored" aluminum alloy cantilever, and a .2X.7 biradial stylus on a ("regular") tapered aluminum alloy cantilever. Like them all, but prefer the LAC stylus.
It seems to have a similar infectious musicality and alive rhythmic qualities as the other Empires I have.
Jim |
Dear Halcro, your post about the AT-7V has given me pause--in particular the comparative statement made about your Empires and the Technics. Wow.
If it isn't too much trouble, would you be able to comment a little bit about the ways in which you prefer this AT to your Empires and Technics? Is this conclusion based on using the stock stylus, or using the vintage 155LC stylus?
In my case since 'rediscovering' vintage MM/MI/MF cartridges a few years ago (due to this thread) I have avoided AT (and Signet) cartridges because of over-familiarity I developed for those that I used exclusively in the 70s and 80s. But your post about the AT7V gives me pause, as I mentioned!
Regards and thank you for any additional insight, Jim |
Thank you very much, Henry, I believe your very articulate descriptions have provided me a workable understanding of how the AT7V fits where it does in your priorities. No doubt I'll be hearing one myself before too long, and thanks for all of this information!
An interesting tangent to all of this cartridge discussion may be listening preferences as defined by the listener. In my own case my listening is typically 100% acoustic music recorded in acoustic spaces, today via some lovely Bach Cantatas and some Rachmaninoff piano preludes. I do very little listening of amplified music, and of the 50 or so concerts I attend each year virtually none include any electrical amplification. This places my own musical preferences in perhaps the tiniest minority of all. And, this understanding makes me very much look forward to hearing where the AT7V might in my own aural world!
Thanks again.
Jim
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Dlaloum/David,
Regarding your comment-- "one does wonder how much potential there might be in a basic AT95....Perhaps with the HE or Shibata stylus mounted..."
I feel the same way but haven't yet taken advantage of these options that are indeed available. LP Gear is marketing the AT95 upgraded with those two stylus choices, reasonably priced. They can be found in the "LP Gear cartridges" link on the cartridge page of their website. The Shibata version got a great review in Stereo Times if I recall.
Best, Jim |
Regarding the Acutex LPM 315 III STR, I'm curious if any other users have tried it with the Acutex "Saturn V" proprietary headshell assembly. If I understand the Acutex literature I have read, the LPM cartridge and "Saturn V" headshell were designed to be used together.
I've found the assembly to have high quality "fit 'n finish" and I use it with the included auxiliary "rider" weight affixed underneath. On my Micro Seiki MA-505XS arm it seems to allow the "trademark" sense of presence of my LPM 315 III STR to be noticeably enhanced (as compared to being mounted on an AT MG10 headshell with silver leads). I think that the bass register takes on more focus as well, but the cartridge's tonal characteristics seem unchanged.
Are there any other observers / observations about this odd-looking headshell in use with the LPM 3XX STR series of Acutex cartridges?
Regards, Jim |
Hello Timeltel, to the philosophers and social scientists one can also add composers, performers, and the music-going public. Stylistically and intention-speaking, the history of Western art music can be described as a pendulum that swings from a perspective of music as pure art that speaks for itself to music as art that must be interpreted. And all points between. Once I thoroughly enjoyed a lengthy discussion with a Pulitzer prize winning composer on this very topic (is music essentially intellectual or visceral?), and being a living composer not of the neo-romantic group she of course took the first position. A good friend of mine who sometimes writes program notes for the CSO takes the politically correct position, which is "both." But I digress...
Juries for international concerto competitions have similar arguments to those often found in here--but transposed to a particular musical performance. Was that Haydn concerto performance self-absorbed and too personally expressive? Was that Schumann too expressionless and cold? The answer given is mostly based on the "taste," musical perspective (composer, performer, critic, etc) and even generation of the person judging. There is no absolute answer because the pendulum never stops moving. Everyone involved also knows there may not be unanimity on what is the correct or best performance that day.
Hence it is among these top "thoroughbred" cartridges, I think, on one level or another. Cartridge choice is not a horse race with a photo finish and an obvious winner. One's perspective, musical tastes, musical experience, musical knowledge and other things (even indirect things such as mood) can and will directly impact one's preference(s) among a group of high performing cartridges.
And it's ok for the absolutists and relativists to continue arguing, too! |
Hello Nandric, of course there are minimum standards (which I won't attempt to list) for a cartridge to be judged as 'decent.' Perhaps the word 'credible' could also be used. But in here we are only discussing the high performing cartridges that posters themselves submit (most often Raul), yes?
Your conclusion about a rational person choosing to be irrational from time to time made me chuckle! It is fairly consonant with my own conclusion in the little post above, I think ;) |
Griffithds, the stylus grip of my Andante P76 is transparent. If it would help you, contact me through the the portal here and I can send you a decent image of it. Best, Jim |
Hello Acman3 / Danny, your reminder about the virtues of the Astatic MF-200 is appreciated! I've been similarly awestruck for the past few weeks, albeit over a Stanton 881S, and your post was enough to get me to listen to some Sibelius with my MF-200. Glorious! Thanks again :)
Jim |
Hello Raul, I didn't mean to suggest that I liked the MF-200 "over" the 881S. Instead I was trying to express my refound enthusiasm for the Astatic! However I do join you in feeling that sometimes these vintage cartridges seem like an endless joy!
Best,
Jim |
Hello Acman3, you're welcome and I'm glad that you like it. In case you haven't yet run into the REG column about it--
http://www.regonaudio.com/Stanton881AudioTechnicaATML70.html
I haven't heard any aftermarket styli in mine, but perhaps someone will chime in...
Jim |
Dear Raul,
I agree with you about the Astatic MF-200. In particular I admire it's ability to portray a level of musical nuance that goes missing with some other 'top' vintage cartridges I've tried. This thread recently reminded me to enjoy it again, and I over-dosed on chamber music for a week or so before getting back to my Stanton 881S audition...
The Astatic remains among the small handful that I have kept for the longer term and it's hard for me to imagine selling.
Jim |
Lewm, regarding Stantons and loose-fitting stylus assemblies, a number of weeks ago I picked up a "barely used" 881S with D81 stylus, and a pair of NOS D81 styli.
In my case none of the three styli assemblies are at all loose. In fact each one kine of 'snaps' into place during the final 1/8" or so of insertion into the body. Perhaps this was a 'development' at some point of the 881S production? The serial number of my 881S is 7907 but I have no idea whether that has any bearing on the feature I mention.
Jim |
Apologies for the typo in the above note...
Second sentence should say "kind of" rather than "kine of." |
Timeltel, regarding the Stanton 500, over time I've thoroughly enjoyed comparing different combinations of my grey body 500, two gold body 500 examples, and genuine as well as aftermarket Stanton d5100 stylus (blue), d5100e stylus (black grip, red box), and d5100ee stylus (black grip, metallic gold box).
Famous as the 'broadcast standard' cartridge for at least a couple of decades, the "regular" 500 with the blue stylus is one that has been both praised and cursed by audiophiles. In my experience it needs a high mass arm to sound its best. In any event I thoroughly enjoy each of my 500 variants from time to time but prefer my gold body examples to the grey one I have.
The top of the line 500ee that you refer to utilizes the hard to find d5100ee (.3X.7) stylus that tracks nicely at 2g. It's cantilever is hardly the tiny diameter of that on my 881s, but neither is it the "tree branch" of that on the standard blue stylus. Once in a great while a genuine d5100ee appears on that auction site. If there happens to be one available today I have no affiliation with the seller etc...
Jim
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Hi Timeltel - Tom,
Any essay that touches on taste, perception as a psychological phenomenon, the BMW automobile marque, and the 881s phono cartridge is going to get a rise out of me, every time ;)
Since January I've logged about 50 clock hours on my 881s. For the first 30 hours or so I had it mounted on an ADC MG1 headshell with silver SME leads. I took a break from it for a few weeks and when returning, moved it to an AT MG10 headshell with AT 6101 leads. I prefer the latter setup on my Micro Seiki MA-505S arm, by far--big open sound, natural sounding timbres, dynamically very fast, and most importantly to me--excellent reproduction of musical nuance and interplay between musicians.
I think it is at least as detailed and powerful sounding as my Acutex LPM 315 III while perhaps being more suited to my tastes. I'm very glad I found one along with a couple of nos styli.
Interesting that you mention cartridge/tonearm resonances as well...this cartridge is the most sensitive one I own in that tapping the tonearm (when locked in the arm rest, of course) results in surprising amplified thuds coming through the speakers. And the diversity of musical performance generated via choice of headshell and leads is greater than with any other cartridge I've owned. In spite of all this "touchy-ness," somehow the music produced when playing LPs is wonderful...
Cheers! Jim |