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The Arm/Cartridge Matching Myth

When I began my journey in high-end audio 36 years ago….no-one ever wrote about arm and cartridge matching nor tonearm resonant frequency…?
Over the last 10 years or so…this topic has become not only ubiquitous, but has mutated beyond its definition, to THE guiding principle of matching cartridge to tonearm….❓❗️😵
The Resonant Frequency can be calculated using a complex formula relating Tonearm Effective Mass to the cartridge’s Compliance….or it can be simply measured using a Test record of various frequency sweeps.
The RECOMMENDED Resonant Frequency of any tonearm/cartridge combination is between 8-12Hz.
But WHY is this the recommended frequency and WHAT does it really mean…?

The raison d’etre of this Resonant Frequency…is to avoid WARPED records inducing ‘resonance’ into the tonearm…..
Say what…❓😵
WARPED records….❓❗️
Yes…..ONLY warped records❗️😎
But doesn’t it have any meaning for NORMAL records…❓
None whatsoever…..😊👍
Let me explain….🎼

A badly warped record induces the tonearm to rise and fall rapidly on the ‘sprung’ cantilever of the cartridge.
Depending on the severity and frequency of this warping…..a subsonic frequency between 2-5Hz is induced so if your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency dips into this frequency range….it will begin resonating and thus miss-track and/or induce hum through your system.🎤
Keeping the lower limits of your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency to 8Hz simply insures against this possibility.🎶

So what about the 12Hz upper limit…❓
This simply insures against the possibility of any ultra low-level frequency information which MAY be on the record, also inducing this same miss-tracking or hum. For instance if your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency was 18Hz and you had an organ record or one containing synthesised bass going down to 16Hz…..your tonearm may miss-track or you MAY develop a hum❓😢

So how many badly WARPED record do you possess…❓
I have three out of a thousand or so……and have NEVER experienced miss-tracking or hum even on these three…❗️😍

Yet these days….everyone (without exception it seems)…even tonearm and cartridge designers….happily follow the dictum of this Arm/Cartridge MATCH as if it affected sound quality…..❓
This Resonant Frequency has ZERO affect on the sound quality of a particular tonearm/cartridge combination and I have proved it hundreds of times with a dozen different arms and over 40 cartridges.

The best match for ANY cartridge ever made….is simply the very best tonearm you can afford…whatever its Effective Mass…😘
halcro
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,406 posts
 
But not one single Peer-Reviewed Scientific White Paper demonstrating the relationship between Resonant Frequency and SOUND...🤯
This statement is false and blatantly so.

If the mechanical resonance ('Resonant Frequency' per above) is too high, the cartridge may not stay in the groove or may simply mistrack with complex material. This creates distortion and is certainly affecting the 'SOUND'.

There are papers on the topic. Didn't take long to find either:
http://www.laudioexperience.fr/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bruel-Kjaer-Audible-Effects-of-Mechanical-...
Pay attention to the references and you will see further papers on the topic.


The perception of wow and flutter, as well as rumble all affect the 'SOUND'. Rumble goobles up amplifier power and you can bet that increases IMD, which affects the 'SOUND'


The whole premise of this thread is patently ridiculous! knock it off.







mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Thanks Ralph.
I just wanted to point out that there are two ways to view the tonearm cartridge "system" From a sonic (electrical) point of view the system is a high pass filter. But from a mechanical point of view it is a low pass filter. It moves at low frequencies and is rigid at high frequencies. the cross over point is at the resonance frequency.
Kirkus, if you are still watching. If a suspended table is tuned correctly, the tonearm mounted to the suspended platform along with the platter and the tone arm/cartridge are set up correctly outside forces within reason will have no effect on the system. If I provide a mechanical input the system just bounces around together and the record continues playing like nothing happened. 
lewm
14,693 posts
 
But 99.9% of "suspended" turntables are fatally flawed in their design, on one way or another.  This is my opinion based on listening and looking. The ideas are good; the execution is questionable. Now, if you're talking about Minus K or Herzan platforms, that is another story. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Here’s your problem. The outside forces (low frequency seismic type) that can have an impact on the turntable platter, cartridge and tonearm are in the same part of the spectrum as their resonant frequencies. Most suspended turntables are tuned too high to stop the outside forces from doing their nefarious work.
rauliruegas
13,377 posts
 
Dear @atmasphere  : I forgot I have that link, thank's to share it because it's acontundent additional evidence that that " myth " isnot amyth at all but something real and something we all have to take care about.

But six years ago you posted supporting the importance of cartridge/tonearm resonance frequency subject.

@mijostyn,agree with you.

R.
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