Fun with vinyl measurements

[Bland_username42069]

These new audio technica look very interesting.

I’ve been using Nagaoka but I’m tempted just to use it for 78s and go back to Audio Technica for stereo

 

[watchnerd]

The azimuth function works very well.-depending on the test record, I can get the separation within 0.5 and one DB, at the level of -31 on the Ortofon record and -38 on the analog production ultimate test record. Much easier than oscilloscope method or any other method. Getting values below 0.5 is difficult since the values change across the track and do jump up and down a bit. Advantage is the 400 hz high pass filter that removes rubbish from the low single channel for a better representation of the actual crosstalk. the 400hz filter was my idea that I gave to Shannon and he then implemented it.
The difficulty is making small enough adjustments, I do this by the Wally Tools Fulcrum method, and less than 1/8 or turn on the screw can be enough( 0.27 degrees or 0.02mm twist on the headshell) , even using a clamp or not or different mat or not can change the crosstalk significantly.

I also can use analog magic software for this it filter as well it makes the values stable, but for crosstalk and the AnalogMagik record is worse than both Ortofon and Ultimate test record

I've been cruder, just twisting the headshell.

With my big meat hooks, the closest I can get it on Analog Production record is -28.5, with about .5 dB difference.

But that's using probably overly crude movements, because I'm definitely moving the headshell more than 0.02mm.

 

[watchnerd]

Scroll to the right..see the dots..
But the colour choose is bad , two indistinguishable reds? Why not make one green it white or magenta or something?
View attachment 453007View attachment 453008

AT-VM745xML

All VMx cartridges feature a generator with paratoroidal coil construction: two coils per channel – one stacked behind the other – for greatly improved efficiency. A center shield plat ...

www.audio-technica.com

The better red is "claret" color.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I've been cruder, just twisting the headshell.

With my big meat hooks, the closest I can get it on Analog Production record is -28.5, with about .5 dB difference.

But that's using probably overly crude movements, because I'm definitely moving the headshell more than 0.02mm.

With what cartridge?

 

[watchnerd]

With what cartridge?

The ART9XA.

But I wasn't even using the Allen wrench to adjust using the mechanism built into the AT headshell. I was just twisting the whole headshell in the SME connector.

 

[watchnerd]

These new audio technica look very interesting.

I’ve been using Nagaoka but I’m tempted just to use it for 78s and go back to Audio Technica for stereo

Which Nagaoka?

 

[Bland_username42069]

Which Nagaoka?

MP series but I have a set of Tonar 78 stylii to go with it.

 

[Muddywaters]

MP series but I have a set of Tonar 78 stylii to go with it.

Which regular (non 78) stylus? If you have a 500 in good shape I certainly would consider it comparable to these AT.

 

[Balle Clorin]

The ART9XA.

But I wasn't even using the Allen wrench to adjust using the mechanism built into the AT headshell. I was just twisting the whole headshell in the SME connector.

Yes , just pushing in one direction or the other can change some dB..You can also try the Ortofon test record , some get better values on that one,not for me, for me AP ultimate gives better results

 

[Bland_username42069]

Which regular (non 78) stylus? If you have a 500 in good shape I certainly would consider it comparable to these AT.

I agree. I like Nagaoka but the stylus replacements are just way overpriced compared to similar Audio Technica in the UK.

mp500 stylus replacement is £450 here. I could buy from Japan and save some £ but then I could just buy audio technica in Uk and save myself the hassle.

(I’ve just got a mp110 on it at the minute to play some poorly pressed 45s)

 

[watchnerd]

Yes , just pushing in one direction or the other can change some dB..You can also try the Ortofon test record , some get better values on that one,not for me, for me AP ultimate gives better results

My Ortofon copy doesn't seem to have azimuth test tracks

 

[watchnerd]

I agree. I like Nagaoka but the stylus replacements are just way overpriced compared to similar Audio Technica in the UK.

mp500 stylus replacement is £450 here. I could buy from Japan and save some £ but then I could just buy audio technica in Uk and save myself the hassle.

(I’ve just got a mp110 on it at the minute to play some poorly pressed 45s)

I just replaced the stylus on my MP-500, but I stocked up on replacement styli years ago.

This one was bought in 2019.

I don't really consider AT and Nagaoka interchangeable (and I own both).

They have very different "house sounds".

 

[mglobe]

Not sure this is the best thread to ask, but it seems to have a good collection of knowledgeable folks. Anyone got any intel/opinions on the new Ortofon MC X series?

 

[Thomas_A]

My Ortofon copy doesn't seem to have azimuth test tracks

1 kHz L/R tracks?

 

[Thomas_A]

Yes , just pushing in one direction or the other can change some dB..You can also try the Ortofon test record , some get better values on that one,not for me, for me AP ultimate gives better results

Odd thing that the Ortofon gave close to -40 dB on old stylus but only -28 on new stylus. There are still riddles to solve…

 

[watchnerd]

1 kHz L/R tracks?

I take it back, I wasn't reading carefully.

Tracks 5-8

 

[watchnerd]

Not sure this is the best thread to ask, but it seems to have a good collection of knowledgeable folks. Anyone got any intel/opinions on the new Ortofon MC X series?

Upthread we were chatting about them.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Odd thing that the Ortofon gave close to -40 dB on old stylus but only -28 on new stylus. There are still riddles to solve…

Are you talking about a retipped ART9XA? If so the retipper did not do a good job.

 

[Muddywaters]

I just replaced the stylus on my MP-500, but I stocked up on replacement styli years ago.

This one was bought in 2019.

I don't really consider AT and Nagaoka interchangeable (and I own both).

They have very different "house sounds".

Subjectively I agree re house sound. My comment was “comparable” not “interchangeable” hopefully a distinction with a difference in this case.

I also have a couple backup 500 styli and a 50 that still has life in it.

It might be possible using eq or some of the Puffin/Waxwing tweakability features to flavor an AT more toward the Nagaoka house sound if preferred. Haven’t tried myself.

I also have my AT 155 LC with a few nos styli along with some of the 152 variant too.

I agree. I like Nagaoka but the stylus replacements are just way overpriced compared to similar Audio Technica in the UK.

mp500 stylus replacement is £450 here. I could buy from Japan and save some £ but then I could just buy audio technica in Uk and save myself the hassle.

(I’ve just got a mp110 on it at the minute to play some poorly pressed 45s)

Unfortunate regarding the exorbitant cost of the 500 for you. Right now I’m avoiding ordering things from JP or anything from the far east not knowing what the final import costs might be here in the US.

 

[Thomas_A]

Are you talking about a retipped ART9XA? If so the retipper did not do a good job.

No, that was a new vs. old JICO SAS/B on the Shure V15Vx.