Help with Measuring Phono Cartridge w/ CA-TRS-1007 Record

[OnlyShallow]

Hi everyone! Just joined the community with the goal of contributing to the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library.
I have all the equipment I would need, but currently confused on how to proceed to ensure accurate measurements.

Questions:
Which test tracks are the standard to use for CA-TRS-1007 record for measuring sound frequency? Tracks 1-2 or 3-4?
Is the standard process to record output via recording software (ie Audacity) and then upload to SJPlot for graphs?
Are there any recommended settings I should do on Audacity?

Set Up:
- Technics Sl1300G (TT)
- Classic Audio MM Pro (Phono Stage)
- MiniDSP Adept (ADC)
- CA-TRS-1007 (Test Record)
- Audacity (Recording Software)

​

 

[Balle Clorin]

Track 1 and 2 in one go,
Record from output of RIAA. Read SJplot guideline.

Audacity I have not used, can’t figure it out. I use another recording software at 24 bit/96k to wav file

 

[Bland_username42069]

That’s a nice setup - how do you like the deck?

 

[OnlyShallow]

Track 1 and 2 in one go,
Record from output of RIAA. Read SJplot guideline.

Audacity I have not used, can’t figure it out. I use another recording software at 24 bit/96k to wav file

Perfect! This clears up a lot of confusion. Was already busy editing wave plots into separate files, before seeing your message. Thank you for your help!

 

[OnlyShallow]

That’s a nice setup - how do you like the deck?

I love it! Really like how quiet and accurate it is. Use to have a Music Hall MMF 9.3 turntable which I liked, but wanted to move towards a Technics for more accurate playback.
I was lucky and found it as an open box item with a vendor and jumped on it.

 

[krabapple]

I'm doing the same thing with this setup:

U-Turn Orbit Custom tt
Ortofon Blue cart
Fosi X5 phono pre
Behringer UCA202 ADC (USB out)
Audacity 3.7.7 running on a Windows 11 desktop

I recorded all of Side A (tracks 1-8) and all of Side B (9-12) as two wav files.
Bit depth/SR = 24/44

Question, what is the actual difference if any between the Side A tracks 1-4 and the Side B tracks 9-12 ? The back cover LP info seems to say they are the same. (If so, why?)

 

[Balle Clorin]

Read the backside!
Tracks are Left-Right-Mono(lateral)-out of phase(vertical)

Script expect a Left&Right in one go
That is a pair .

Outer track will be different from inner which will have higher distortion and loss of highest frequencies, depending on stylus type.

Tracks will wear out that is why record has more than one.

 

[krabapple]

Read the backside!

I did

Tracks are Left-Right-Mono(lateral)-out of phase(vertical)

I saw that,

Script expect a Left&Right in one go
That is a pair .

OK but...

Outer track will be different from inner which will have higher distortion and loss of highest frequencies, depending on stylus type.

OK but...

Tracks will wear out that is why record has more than one.

The answer to my actual question (Are the first four tracks on side A and B really the same, and why?). I think? Thanks.

 

[Balle Clorin]

You have to read , and read again and read once more. The answer er to all your questions are given in the replies above .

Google what LEFT ant Right Channel means, and mono and lateral modulation and vertical modulation. It is all about which way /direction the cartridge is pushed by the grooves.
So the 4 first tracks are NOT the same

How to pack a stereo signal in one record groove

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[krabapple]

You have to read , and read again and read once more. The answer er to all your questions are given in the replies above .

Google what LEFT ant Right Channel means, and mono and lateral modulation and vertical modulation. It is all about which way /direction the cartridge is pushed by the grooves.
So the 4 first tracks are NOT the same

None of that was ever unclear to me. And I never said the first 4 tracks are the same as each other. I said the first 4 tracks on Side A are the same as the first 4 tracks on Side B. Which is true, but I was misreading the labeling. I now see that Side A and Side B both have 12 tracks. On both sides , Tracks 1-4 = tracks 9-12, to test inner vs outer groove performance, I suppose.

My question is really, why is Side A duplicated on Side B?

 

[sergeauckland]

None of that was ever unclear to me. And I never said the first 4 tracks are the same as each other. I said the first 4 tracks on Side A are the same as the first 4 tracks on Side B. Which is true, but I was misreading the labeling. I now see that Side A and Side B both have 12 tracks. On both sides , Tracks 1-4 = tracks 9-12, to test inner vs outer groove performance, I suppose.


View attachment 527522

My question is really, why is Side A duplicated on Side B?

Given how short the accurate life of a test record is, I'd say is to double the useful life of the LP.

S.

 

[Thomas_A]

What is the life of a test record? I've seen many suggestions, but never any good comparisons. I guess if you use 4 gf VTF, wear will be present. But at 1.25-1.5 gf?

 

[sergeauckland]

What is the life of a test record? I've seen many suggestions, but never any good comparisons. I guess if you use 4 gf VTF, wear will be present. But at 1.25-1.5 gf?

Indeed, and as the producers of test records have no control over the conditions of use, it's sensible to err on the side of caution, given that a test LP should be considered a measuring device, a piece of test equipment. Decca used to guarantee their test LPs for only 5 plays at higher frequencies, but then were expecting a spherical stylus tracking 'at no more than 10 grams'!!

I have two copies of the Decca SXL2057 and one copy of LXT5346, all obtained used, so have no idea of their provenance, and they all give different results, so none can be trusted absolutely, but OK for comparative measurements.

S.

 

[Thomas_A]

Indeed, and as the producers of test records have no control over the conditions of use, it's sensible to err on the side of caution, given that a test LP should be considered a measuring device, a piece of test equipment. Decca used to guarantee their test LPs for only 5 plays at higher frequencies, but then were expecting a spherical stylus tracking 'at no more than 10 grams'!!

I have two copies of the Decca SXL2057 and one copy of LXT5346, all obtained used, so have no idea of their provenance, and they all give different results, so none can be trusted absolutely, but OK for comparative measurements.

S.

I've seen no degradation of HF yet of any of my test records. Playing 1.25-1.4 gf usually.

 

[Balle Clorin]

've seen no degradation of HF yet of any of my test records. Playing 1.25-1.4 gf usually.

My CA TRS-1007 is worn out on track 1a. 1.75 gram VTF mostly.
I have 550 files most separate L and R some L&R so probably 300 runs in total, the record now drop off in one channel
Like this




Side 1A heavy use vs 1B side little use , right channel drops off on worn track

A good record is more like this

 

[Thomas_A]

My CA TRS-1007 is worn out on track 1a. 1.75 gram VTF mostly.
I have 550 files most separate L and R some L&R so probably 300 runs in total, the record now drop off in one channel
Like this




Side 1A heavy use vs 1B side little use , right channel drops off on worn track
View attachment 527572


A good record is more like this

Have you wet cleaned the record any time?

 

[Balle Clorin]

Only by hand..with water not machine I have an unopened SpinClean

 

[Thomas_A]

Only by hand..with water not machine I have an unopened SpinClean

Water will not do it. You need at least a surfactant and a brush. This:

 

[Balle Clorin]

Used some drops Zalo and microfiber cloth under running water

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