Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library

[Thomas_A]

There is no such problem in the previously performed measurement of the Ortofon MC 5000.
In my opinion, the problem concerns only the phono cartridge.
I took a closer look at the cantilever in this specimen, using a magnifying glass, I can see that the cantilever is not glued perfectly straight. The connection of the boron cantilever with the aluminum element of the cantilever is made with additional transparent glue.
It looks as if this element was simply repaired, and it was not the original factory connection.
I have a second copy of this model, it was purchased directly from Ortofon. I checked under high magnification, the connection of the boron cantilever with the metal element is made without the use of transparent glue, the cantilever is glued perfectly straight.
I will measure this specimen in some time.
I filed a complaint with the seller.

Although not the best thread to discuss such things in length, but there are several examples of individual variations between cartridges of the same brand and model, although trends are quite clear. It is neither strange or unexpected. One can speculate about the causes, but unless all assembly and QC factors are known, it remains speculations. Diamond symmetry, diamond polish, glue variations, diamond-cantilever insertion symmetry, cantilever variations in mass/length, damper variations, cantilever and damper attachment, magnet/coil position, magnet symmetry, coil windings/mass.

 

[Aero]

Although not the best thread to discuss such things in length, but there are several examples of individual variations between cartridges of the same brand and model, although trends are quite clear. It is neither strange or unexpected. One can speculate about the causes, but unless all assembly and QC factors are known, it remains speculations. Diamond symmetry, diamond polish, glue variations, diamond-cantilever insertion symmetry, cantilever variations in mass/length, damper variations, cantilever and damper attachment, magnet/coil position, magnet symmetry, coil windings/mass.

I agree with everything you wrote.
I bought a cartridge that was described as new, never used, but upon cursory inspection I noticed that there was a lot of dust on the casing, indicating that it had been used.
Measurements and detailed inspection further confirmed that the item had probably been repaired and had a defect.
The seller accepted the return of the goods.
This script saved me money.

 

[narud]

Shure V15VP used vn5p/new vn5p/new vn5mr

used hyperelliptical stylus- unknown hours but it looks like a lot

new vn5p hyperelliptical stylus

new vn5mr microridge stylus

Saw a technics sl-qx300 on ebay for 100 bucks shipped, so i figured i'd snag it to mess around with my p mount carts. leads were measured at around 100pf and art djpre was set to 100pf. the picture of the used vn5p is from joe long when i sent it to him a couple years ago before i had a microscope. i havent added any hours to it. the body measures around the same as a standard mount. dcr was 842/850 and inductance was 317/317. the standard vn5p stylus is a beryllium cantilever and hyperelliptical stylus. the measurements are at 1.25 grams. for the vn5mr, the brush is down with a net tracking force of 1 gram. i wanted the qx300 since you can adjust a fine range of both tracking force and anti skate. i had a q350 with adjustable tracking force but it was missing the anti skate.

 

[narud]

Signet AM10p

Signet AM10p-aluminum cantilever and bonded 3x7 elliptical. under 10 hours. purchased nos
Technics SL-QX300
Art DJpre- set to 0pf setting (input cap has been removed)

 

[Aero]

From what I can see, in terms of bandwidth linearity Shure is the leader.

 

[Aero]

Ortofon MC 5000
file0norm = 1

 

[aaaakkkk]

AT-VM95E l 2.0g l 47k l 130pF l

-stylus has maybe 5 hours tops
- tracking at 2.0g ~ 100mkm
-L 520 Ohm, 485 mH
-R 518 Ohm, 482 mH

 

[dougi]

Is the second figure a measurement on the inner sweeps? Figure 1 outer sweeps? Not seen a 95e that extended, going by figure 1.

 

[aaaakkkk]

Is the second figure a measurement on the inner sweeps? Figure 1 outer sweeps? Not seen a 95e that extended, going by figure 1.

1tr, 1-track = outer sweep
2tr, 2-track = inner sweeps

 

[Kolllak]

Audio-Technica VM540ML

• 2.0 g
• VDH The Isis 75 pF + Phono 50 pF
• 47K Ohm
• < 100 hours
• Magnat MTT 990 -> Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL -> Scarlett 2i2 3 gen
• Clearaudio CA-TRS-1007

 

[JP]

^ That’s JVC/Victor TRS-1007?

 

[Kolllak]

^ That’s JVC/Victor TRS-1007?

Clearaudio CA-TRS-1007
The notes were updated.

 

[JP]

Best to update the graph titles as well.

 

[Kolllak]

OK, updated.

 

[narud]

Audio Technica AT-vm540ml

-technics 1300mk2
-art dj pre on 0pf setting (input cap removed)
-tascam 1x2

540ml purchased off of ebay from someone that probably got it from an amazon return store. diamond looked unused and not worn in yet under the scope. diamond mounting isnt perfect. zenith is a little askew, but close enough that i probably wouldnt have returned it even if i had bought it at full price. it had definitely been mounted though as there were screw marks on the side of the stylus. maybe someone didnt like what it sounded like and returned it?

for fun, heres a comparison of a couple needle drops. one is the at and the other is a v15vmr. van halen's jump from an original copy of 1984. looks like the frequency response chart. ill probably keep this one.

 

[Wiredforsound]

Stanton 681EEE MkIII
Click to increase size
View attachment 328422View attachment 328423
View attachment 328465View attachment 328466
View attachment 400397View attachment 400399
Stereo Review measurements, 1975

Notes

• The first set are CBS STR-100 measurements with frequency response corrected to CA TRS-1007
  • This is noted by the superscript "c" (the "2" is for my own reference and refers to the particular test record)
  • Please don't compare this to a typical CBS STR-100 result
  • Only FR was changed and the limitations of the CBS record still apply (e.g. crosstalk, distortion, etc.)
  • The second set of measurements are the original and are for reference
• Used, bonded, special elliptical stylus with damping brush
• These measurements are old and I no longer have the cartridge
  • Set-up could be better, particularly azimuth adjustment
    • Proper azimuth adjustment would result in parallel left and right channel frequency response
    • Here the right channel slopes down more sharply compared to left channel
    • Left side of cartridge likely needs to be brought down (the crosstalk measurements can tell you what to do)
    • LCR meter channel measurements show 98%+ channel and inductance match so neither is the issue
    • I just noticed the heavy corrosion on the connectors in the picture
    • It is also hard to figure out how age affects brush compensation tracking force
      • These measurements are excellent set-up tools
  • While I wish I could run this again the resultant curve was found in prior review of original 681EEE so it checks out
    • Someone else measure this!
• Here we see a fine example of a popular "voiced" cartridge
  • The usual high frequency resonance is not there below 20kHz
    • FR is well controlled: the shorter cantilever likely pushed up the resonance
  • This cartridge was deliberately tuned this way and you can see the elegance of the engineering

Loading is wrong.
Literature states 275pF

Ref. I kHz.
10 Hz 1012 kHz ±y, dB from 12 kH.. to 2.2 kHz Individually Callbraled I I Ihe flelory 0.1 mV/em/l.c. +2 dB
Channel separation -35 dB
47,000 ohm.
Loading - 275 pF
830 mH I PP'OX.
Within 2 dB
0.2 . 0.1 mil Elllplical DIAmond
• "BRUSH weight compensation 1 gram

 

[Thomas_A]

Loading is wrong.
Literature states 275pF

Ref. I kHz.
10 Hz 1012 kHz ±y, dB from 12 kH.. to 2.2 kHz Individually Callbraled I I Ihe flelory 0.1 mV/em/l.c. +2 dB
Channel separation -35 dB
47,000 ohm.
Loading - 275 pF
830 mH I PP'OX.
Within 2 dB
0.2 . 0.1 mil Elllplical DIAmond
• "BRUSH weight compensation 1 gram

Difference from 330 pF will be small.

 

[Wiredforsound]

Difference from 330 pF will be small.

Where did you get that figure?

 

[USER]

Loading is wrong.
Literature states 275pF

Ref. I kHz.
10 Hz 1012 kHz ±y, dB from 12 kH.. to 2.2 kHz Individually Callbraled I I Ihe flelory 0.1 mV/em/l.c. +2 dB
Channel separation -35 dB
47,000 ohm.
Loading - 275 pF
830 mH I PP'OX.
Within 2 dB
0.2 . 0.1 mil Elllplical DIAmond
• "BRUSH weight compensation 1 gram

I measured a second Stanton a month ago at 270pF:

Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library

https://www.salonav.com/arch/2021/11/izmerennye-xarakteristiki-nedorogix-mc-golovok.htm Russian, but Google does a fair job on the translation. Micro Seiki, bonus :cool:

audiosciencereview.com

I highly recommend to use the index to see if there are multiple measurements for any particular cartridge. It is best to compare them.

For that first measurement I posted last year, I got "better" results with a higher loading. As mentioned, and as to be expected, the difference was small. The measurements were made for an older version of the script that used only one channel, which is why azimuth adjustment was a bit off. However, as I mentioned in the post, by the time I opened up the library I had already sold the cartridge and so I posted what I had. Use the newest results.

Maybe I'll measure the new one at ~300pF again when I have the time.

 

[Thomas_A]

Where did you get that figure?

From the measurement you linked to. See headline of each graph - 330 pF.