Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library

[mackat]

I was hoping to get a U2, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for ...

FR looks decent, but I guess the damper has deteriorated, so it rolls off and distortion rises quite high.

It looks like the overhang is adjustable? Are you limited to the Technics alignment and is there any wiggle-room if the cantilever is not 100% straight? Did you find any sources for styli? They seem to be much more readily available for the X1 and Z1 and even the U2.

Here’s a picture of the factory graph in the manual:

Earlier roll-off on my unit, but not significantly different overall. I wonder how much the damper has really deteriorated.

The styli seem to be quite rare.

 

[mackat]

Audio-Technica AT15Ea

View attachment 523067

Well, I just measured this one again almost a month later and...suffice it to say, I think it worked a little too well

It looks like it's hard to predict how it will affect the damper over time, considering it's not easy to control the amount and you can't really clean it off very well.

 

[mackat]

Not as impressed with the VN45 SAS/B I just purchased compared to the one I've had since 2020. I do wish JICO were a bit more consistent.

 

[Thomas_A]

Not as impressed with the VN45 SAS/B I just purchased compared to the one I've had since 2020. I do wish JICO were a bit more consistent.

View attachment 529369View attachment 529368

Did you shim VTA?

 

[sqrl]

Well, I just measured this one again almost a month later and...suffice it to say, I think it worked a little too well

View attachment 529364

It looks like it's hard to predict how it will affect the damper over time, considering it's not easy to control the amount and you can't really clean it off very well.

That's interesting though. Suggests to use a very small amount, leave it a long time to penetrate and don't repeat too soon. I bought a tube of Liqui Moly and a bottle of gummipfleger suggested by USER and decided to use the latter. The Liqui Moly was very hard to apply a tiny drop in one place, tended to penetrate everywhere and was hard to blot off. The gummipfleger was much easier to control, soaked in the spot I put it in and I could blot off any excess or misplaced liquid. Maybe the Liqui Moly penetrates the damper better over time though? It's helpful to know I should just wait on the 160 and see if there's any further change over time with the gummipfleger too, thanks.

 

[sqrl]

Here’s a picture of the factory graph in the manual:

View attachment 529363

Earlier roll-off on my unit, but not significantly different overall. I wonder how much the damper has really deteriorated.

The styli seem to be quite rare.

It's nice that it has the manual too.

 

[mackat]

Did you shim VTA?

I did not

 

[Thomas_A]

I did not

Try some tests. It may shift things in top octave.

 

[mackat]

Try some tests. It may shift things in top octave.

Thanks, I will have to give that a try.

 

[VinyLuke]

YAMAHA MC-5

Notes:

Cartridge is used and unmodified, hours unknown
Turntable: Technics SL-1210GR with KAB Fluid Damper
VTF: 1.20gr
Capacitance: ~95pF (total capacitance)
Loading: 303Ω
A/D: TASCAM US-2x2HR and Audacity
Test record: Clearaudio CA-TRS-1007 side B

 

[sqrl]

Here's an update on the Audio-Technica AT160ML damper treatment.

Recap of 36 hours after gummipfleger.



One week after.



Another little bit more top end.

 

[USER]

It seems like the softeners continue to work long after application and its best to be judicious.

 

[Erogen]

YAMAHA MC-5

View attachment 530375

View attachment 530376
Notes:

Cartridge is used and unmodified, hours unknown
Turntable: Technics SL-1210GR with KAB Fluid Damper
VTF: 1.20gr
Capacitance: ~95pF (total capacitance)
Loading: 303Ω
A/D: TASCAM US-2x2HR and Audacity
Test record: Clearaudio CA-TRS-1007 side B

It would be interesting to see your measurements with and without Fluid Damping.

Very good crosstalk at 1 kHz and very low harmonic distortion in the 5 to 10 kHz range.
Good model.

I looked at some of your measurements. All of your measurements have the same problem; one channel is always quieter.
You have a problem, either with the preamplifier, the cables, or the sound card.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Any system unbalance is easy do check By running interface in loop and check levels in REW, and swap check RIAA channels if RIAA is used. If that is ok the difference in in the record. I would think Vinyl Luke have done this. I always do in my Tascam

 

[Erogen]

Any system unbalance is easy do check By running interface in loop and check levels in REW, and swap check RIAA channels if RIAA is used. If that is ok the difference in in the record. I would think Vinyl Luke have done this. I always do in my Tascam

Check his previous measurement.

He's having this problem again.

 

[mackat]

I call dibs on the two TRS-1007’s (one original, one MKII) that just appeared at auction

If anyone is planning to bid anyway, please DM me so we don’t get into a bidding war against each other.

 

[JP]

Grrrr.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I got a very nice one year ago on Discogs , pure luck - I just browsed one day , I snapped it before I even got the for sale notification
Was it EBay?

 

[mackat]

Ortofon 530 MKII

I was able to get it quite flat at 36k. Not going to win any distortion awards, but it's a nice sounding cartridge.

 

[Erogen]

Not going to win any distortion awards

You'll get a potato medal for adjusting the azimuth.
Setting the azimuth correctly the first time on the Technics SL 1200GR turntable is bordering on a miracle
This turntable has a rubbish headshell mounting system.