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In Reply to: RE: If my ART9 sounded like that... posted by tketcham on February 27, 2017 at 06:13:25
Hi Tom,
Have you ever measured the arm/cartridge resonance frequency of your AT-ART9? I'm pretty sure my AT-ART7 has the same cantilever suspension as your AT-ART9 and it measures in-between 6-Hz and 7-Hz in my 10.5-gram SME V.
Thanks,
John Elison
Follow Ups:
Hi, John,
I don't think I have the right tools to analyze resonance frequencies. Or at least I don't think I do.
I have a Pioneer PDR-509 CD recorder that I could use to digitally record the output of the cartridge/phono stage and a copy of the Ultimate Analogue Test LP. If I recorded Track 5, a 1kHz to 10 Hz sweep, would that provide a meaningful recording of cartridge output to determine resonance frequency?
I have a copy of Audacity installed on my PC to view/analyze the resulting recording but I'm not sure if the resonance peaks would be obvious. I also have a copy of WaveRepair, which has a frequency analysis function with graphing of both channels but I've never used it for this purpose.
Any advice and instructions you can offer would be appreciated!
Regards,
Tom
> If I recorded Track 5, a 1kHz to 10 Hz sweep, would that provide a meaningful recording of cartridge output to determine resonance frequency?
No! I suspect the arm/cartridge resonance frequency is below 10-Hz. Even if it were above 10-Hz, you would need some software or test equipment to evaluate the sweep. Have you ever used any of those sweeps other than just playing them and listening? The Ultimate Analog Test LP is probably not a very useful test record for the average person. You need a test record that allows you to evaluate your cartridge by listening and observing.
I think every high-end audio enthusiast should own a test record that does three things without the need of any special equipment to measure the test tracks. Firstly, there should be a test for evaluating whether your channels are connected correctly or reversed. Secondly, there should be a test to evaluate whether your channels are in-phase or out-of-phase with each other. Finally, there should be an arm cartridge resonance test. After those three, other tests like antiskating, tracking ability, 1000-Hz test tone, etc., are also good to have.
If you look on eBay you'll find that the Shure Audio Obstacle Course for either the Type IV to Type V cartridge are good test records to own. Earlier versions don't contain the arm/cartridge resonance test. The Hi-Fi News Test Record is okay but it's arm/cartridge resonance test is not as accurate as the Shure test record.
Good luck,
John Elison
.... to add to the list which is still commonly available on Discogs and eBay is the Ortofon TC002 Test Disc. It has all of the tests that anyone would normally need for technical analysis (apart from a 3150Hz W/F test) plus I find the white noise test (which has RIAA pre-emphasis and primarily for testing phase) incredibly useful for analysing FR characteristics without having to equalise a pink noise test signal. You can also see the exact LF resonance frequency directly. There is also the Difference Tone Test which can be used to estimate stylus wear.
The Ultimate Test LP is missing some essential tests such as tracking ability. However, it is quite useful IF you already have another test disc that covers the other basics. For example - it gives a 0dB reference signal at 1kHz. The frequency sweeps are a bit more sensible than the HFNRR one plus the pink noise tests don't have the response anomalies that my HFNRR disc has. The VTA test tone is also unique, but to be honest, not terribly useful for the average person. I think that SRA is best optimised by ear anyway since the VTA may already be sufficiently mismatched (by cartridge design) so as to render small changes undetectable when analysing the side bands around the 4kHz signal. 28 to 30 degrees seems not uncommon (I measure my JICO SAS styli for my Shure cartridges when deflected as close to this value, as was my Soundsmith'd DL160) which has been confirmed by several cartridge reviews I've seen including for Ortofon and VdH.
Regards Anthony
"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats
Doh! I had forgotten the whole exercise was to check for resonance frequencies BELOW 10 Hz.
I any case, I'm not sure I'm motivated enough to pursue additional test LPs and software to check my tonearm/ART9 combination. It seems to be working just fine with sealed subwoofers. But I may do a bit of research on free-ware or share-ware for frequency analysis and perhaps purchase a test LP with the necessary test tones if I can pick one up cheap.
Thanks!
Tom
Why did you buy the Ultimate Analogue Test LP and how do you use it? In other words, what does it do for you?
Thanks,
John Elison
I use Tracks 1, 2, & 3 on side 1 with a Fozgometer for azimuth adjustment. I also use Track 3 on side 2 for cartridge "tune-ups", although I can't say that I've noticed much difference before and after.
I don't bother with anti-skate test tracks. I've found that I can do that by just watching the cantilever as it traces the groove and by listening. One of the reasons I like higher compliance cartridges is that you can see the effect of anti-skate on the cantilever suspension. That, and the slight irregularities in cantilever suspension and alignment are overridden by the forces exerted on the stylus/cantilever as it traces the groove. Basically dynamic alignment; you can see how the stylus and cantilever align to the groove as you play a record. At least that's my working hypothesis. '-)
There are other test tracks that seem interesting but I just haven't taken the time to research what I might need to effectively use them.
Regards,
Tom
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