I let the new config settle with phono stage moved to behind the table. Sound clarity improved, stage is wider.
By moving the phono I reduced EMI impact from amp and table motor on phono stage. That’s my theory for the reduction in smear. May be nob springs helped as well. Sometimes moving components and disturbing cables impacts sound. So I gave it significant time to settle and I am sure about the changes I am hearing. It’s a nice improvement.
What innovative, unconventional cartridge designs can you recommend?
Most cartridges have a stylus and cantilever where the transducer (magnet, iron or coil) sits on the far end of the cantilever. What other designs are there?
I am mindful of two designs which put the business end right on top of the stylus. The first is the moving coil (MC) Audio Technica AT-ART1000 which places two tiny coils, each 0.9-mm diameter, with eight turns of wire directly above the stylus. Australian price is about AUD-7000 and there apparently is a newer model, slightly less exxe. the ART1000X. This has square coils for a bit more output, and threaded mounting holes.
A downside is that stylus replacement involves a factory maintenance program and the Australian website page describing this service does not exist.
Another design is optical, exemplified by DS Audio's range. While these still need a stylus to trace the groove, the signal is produced by reading the intensity of light produced by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) hitting two sensors. Between the LED and the sensors are two 'shades' mounted above the stylus which change the amount of light as the stylus vibrates. These cartridges need a special "photo-stage" to replace the conventional phono-stage which is an additional expense.
Australian prices including photo-stages range from AUD-2,150 for the DS-E1 to the DS Master 3 at approximately AUD-40,800, which is a bit outside my price range! Where is the sweet spot?
What other way-out designs are there?
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Why don't you replace the plug on the supplied power cable with an Australian plug. I have found that sometimes source related power cables which require little current often sound better with smaller gauge cable than the usual Fatboy audiophile go to's. You should be able to work out the recommended gauge for the Soulnote phono from the markings on the supplied cable. Lian Dung is a cable company in Taiwan that produces the cables, including with Australian plugs, so your distributor is a bit lazy. https://www.liandung.com.tw/Australian.htm
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