Who Is An Expert On Acutex Cartridges?

Regards, Lewm:

Thanks for setting the record straight.

Several years ago a cache of the LPM 4xx cartridges emerged from a vendor who became referred to as "the Italian seller". The cartridges were shipped in the original packaging. Examination of the enclosed literature clearly describes the 400 series as IM. The tri-pole configuration, although reconfigured, remained a design element and is speculatively responsible for the slightly more forward presentation of the later series.

A belated response to Islandmandan (I'd not seen this thread until now): I find that when the LPM carts are mounted on a metal headshell a cartridge isolation device improved definition on my rig (EPA 250 or 501 TA wands). Wether this is due to increased mass or diminished acoustic / mechanical feedback I cannot say.

Lewm, the LPM cartridges mounted on an Ortofon LH-8000 Japanese oak headshell introduces a slight resonance bloom at about 2k Hz. This midrange junkie finds it pleasing. A purist might prefer the Saturn V.

Peace,

Hi Timeltel, Nice to hear from you.  In all prior experience with the LPM320STRIII, I had it mounted in its headshell adaptor/coil housing, rather than in the Saturn V, but in a lightweight headshell, probably carbon fiber type.  In a fit of stupidity that often overcomes me, I seem to have damaged the adapter section by pushing to hard on it, thereby causing an apparent short circuit of the L channel ground connection.  That was more than a year ago, and I put the Acutex aside in order to listen to others of the cartridges I bought during the heyday of the Raul thread on "MM" cartridges.  One of these was an NOS B&O MMC1. Along with a few other cartridges mostly MC types, the MMC1 held my attention for the past year.  I really love(d) the MMC1; I would be hard-pressed to choose between it and the Acutex, except to say that the Acutex probably has a bit more bass slam, whatever that is. I use the past tense, because last week I broke the cantilever off the MMC1 while in the innocent act of flipping the stylus guard. They should have called it "the cantilever destroyer". That incident sent me back to the Acutex now on the Saturn V (because that conventional headshell adapter cum coil housing needs repair) as my go-to non-MC cartridge.  These are the only two cartridges I ever "broke" in all of my audio life; I used to think of myself as "careful".  My LPM420STRIII is also NOS; I look forward to auditioning it.  I am sending off both of the broken cartridges for repair this week.

Regards, Lewm:

A vendor," PickeringUK" offered the low output cartridges some time ago, I received a XLZ-4500 and thought it wonderfully true to the recording. The third day of ownership a coincidental glance at the stylus revealed it snapped in half, the business end pointed straight down, hanging by a thread. I have no idea how it happened. Neither of us can assume the title of "The Destroyer", Conan has it claimed (woeful grin).

Acutex LPM cartridges with damaged styli occasionally show up at the "big auction site", IIRC within the 3xx & 4xx series all cartridges are the same, as in any 3xx stylus will work with the corresponding body, 4xx with 4xx bodies. During the heyday of Raul's MM thread I recollect a report of an output pin pulled off when removing the cart from a Saturn V headshell, a touch of teflon lube to the pins might be proactive. Occasionally a NOS pops up:

I've lately been listening to an AT-22, Signet TK9LCa and an AT OCC160ML rebuilt  with Soundsmith's optimized LC stylus on "ruby" cantilever. A NOS Acutex 420, after some burn in, hangs with them.

Had I seen that ebay ad, and I did do a search on "Acutex" but it strangely did not come up, I would have purchased that unit rather than sending my damaged one to SS, as I just did today. I had a worn out LPM315.  So I stuck that assembly on the tonearm adapter with the broken L channel ground connection and sent the whole shebang to SS.  I asked them to put a sapphire OCL on the 315, just as you did with your AT OCC160ML, in addition to repairing the ground connection, if they can.

Regards, Lewm:

The 320 has been listed for more than a week, I'm surprised it's still available.

I have the Soundsmith stylus for Grace F-9 as well as the OCC160. For retrieval of micro detail, rise and decay without overshoot the AT cart is superb. With bowed instruments, resonance from wrapped strings is distinct from simple tone. Bass has presence without overwhelming the upper registers. The F-9, while delightful to listen to lacks the snap and separation of the AT. I believe there are two factors (at least) contributing to the difference. The Grace generates 3.5 mV, output impedance is 1700 Ohm. The AT, 4mV / 2300 Ohm output. More significant (IMHO) is the ceramic cap the cart body is fastened to. Resonances are apparently contained to the cart itself. 

Years ago Edgar Villchur experimented with placing two small ball bearings and a section of sewing needle between cart and headshell. So to speak, tiptoes for your cart. I don't recall his exact words but he suggested the experiment was worth a listener's time. Seems terribly "fiddly" to me, never tried the application.

A while back Grado included a triangular aluminum spacer with their carts, a dimple raised in each of the three corners. No one could say exactly what it did but those who were familiar with it were pretty eager to obtain another. For several years they commanded a premium. On the Korf Blog, there is a test of the NLA AT ceramic spacer, the controlled testing it was put through found improved bass and reduced ringing:

http://korfaudio.com/blog75

The point is? On the Lenco Heaven site, the Acutex LPM315 STR was referred to as "the bass monster". I found the bass improved when the 315 was separated from the headshell with a spacer fashioned from a ten cent peice, drilled to accommodate the one-half inch mounting. Perhaps I was just bored? None the less, for a little effort and minimal expense, with the Acutex there was a positive outcome. There is noticeable ringing when mounted to either the standard Technics or a magnesium SAEC headshell, the Ortofon LH-8000 is well damped and to my taste, complements the Acutex LPM carts,  

Anyway, the B & O MMC1 is very sought after. Regrets expressed for the wounding of your carts, I'm pretty sure SoundSmith is the right choice to return them to their  glory.

Forgive me for rambling, and,

Peace,