|
Home
/ FAQ
/ News Classifieds / Events |
Audio Asylum Thread Printer |
Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
74.214.48.158
In Reply to: RE: Why no low-compliance Hi-Fi MM cartridges?...nt posted by tweakk on November 07, 2009 at 06:40:31
Most low compliance carts reside in the higher VTF regions, scaring away the great unwashed masses who equate quality with a sub 1 gr VTF.
"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.
Most low compliance carts reside in the higher VTF regions, scaring away the great unwashed masses who equate quality with a sub 1 gr VTF.
I don't necessarily equate quality with VTF, but I don't see how a stylus assembly that requires 1g to stay put in the groove and one that requires twice that force can both be equally good for the vinyl. Given two comparable cartridges, I'd rather have the one that tracks with less force. Actually, I'd also like to have the one that's less likely to mis-track when set-up properly.
Edits: 11/07/09
I haven't looked into the numbers but can MC low compliance MC cartridges pull off lower VTF due to less moving mass?
MC yet. Most all are > 2gr.
"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.
Definitely, there are not too many of those, especially mc type.
What is the problem with 2-4 gram tracking, folks ? And, why aren't the manufacturers letting us know that a conical/spherical or gently sloped elliptical tip, with a heavier duty stylus assembly, might be best for average condition discs' longevity ? For all that believe hyper elliptical tips are superior for eliciting information from the grooves, there are, oh so many more, record collectors who could not be without their standard conicals or .4 x .7 mil ellipticals. Scientific testing has proved this and that; but, the conical seems to last and live longer without wear, much longer than equivalent ellipticals. Everyone of us using period gear to play period records knows the enjoyable results when their 40+ year old mono and stereo carts can still perform admirably.
Early mono Lp or 45 RPM discs were never manufactured presuming less than 6 gram tracking force, until after 1957. Pickering had some mono carts that actually tracked at 2 grams around then. But, their real life, in today's terms, has meant that the ubiquitous '50s vintage GE RPX and GE VRII carts(tracking at 6 and 4-6 grams respectfully) have stood the test of time better. I can't imagine any vintage record collector not using a GE RPX-050, with their familiar, red knob, push and turn, stylus changing mechie tracking at 6 grams with mellow tone, as their reference pre-'60s mono cart, especially for average condition discs. Sure, there is much competition, both young and old, even using stereo carts(connected in parallel or as series aiding coils). I have many cart choices that can work admirably, some with definitely more details. But, when 78s or scratchy 45s are spinning, I need my RPX with sapphire tips. But, that's another story. The RPX with diamonds is still sure sweet, though.
Any record collector knows that clean records need a clean stylus for longevity of each other. Undoubtedly, the elliptical, hyper-elliptical, Shibata, line contact et al tips can elicit more details, especially for the cleanest stereo discs. A clean, or even very scratchy early 33 or 45 disc, might benefit from playback with a hyper-elliptical. But, those same scratchy discs will more likely sound better with a conical; and of course, a sapphire tipped conical, for the scratchiest discs.
Hey, did everyone see the most recent Ortofon SPU mono, with an LP/45 mono 1 mil sapphire tip on the bay ? $689, folks, for a mono mc cart from the '50s-'60s that still needs a headamp or step-up tranny before the preamp? Diamond tipped mono SPUs have not fetched much more, recently. Amazed ? I know I was...
But, back to stereo and vintage, or modern, carts...Don't be afraid to use 2+ gram tracking. I know it comes down to a personal philosophy thing and it's hard to be objective about heavier mass tracking and heavier arms and tables, but the enjoyment factor is definitely still there, along with longevity. Keep on Spinnin'
"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.
nt
"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.
Post a Followup:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ Go Green ]
[ Take5 ]