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Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library

"Strident Sibilants and Fricatives". Two tracks at different radii, so you can audibly compare performance at the inner groove.
Finally redid this Tacet test record on sibilants.

Very revealing… My Shure V15-iv Jico SAS B on Denon 51F 1.25g no brush had obvious problems on the inner track . My AT OC9MLii 1.5g on SME V did very much better , only occasionally a slight “ TZ “ on the inner track. On music I am not able to differentiate between them on inner groove performance, so far , but maybe now when I can better recognise the effect.

Both cartridges are presented here…as I recall the Shure looks nicer on the plots. Flatter and less distortion. Both track 80um with flying colours.even more if I use more AS...same boron and microline diamond, but Jico has 28 degree VTA , OC9 is 22.
Sometimes one just need to listen ..
 
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...but maybe now when I can better recognise the effect.
Or not, at least with a good line type. Those tracks are cut very hot as they're intended to be a bit of a test to failure. I don't think you'll come across anything like that with regular program material.
 
Finally redid this Tacet test record on sibilants.

Very revealing… My Shure V15-iv Jico SAS B on Denon 51F 1.25g no brush had obvious problems on the inner track . My AT OC9MLii 1.5g on SME V did very much better , only occasionally a slight “ TZ “ on the inner track. On music I am not able to differentiate between them on inner groove performance, so far , but maybe now when I can better recognise the effect.

Both cartridges are presented here…as I recall the Shure looks nicer on the plots. Flatter and less distortion. Both track 80um with flying colours.even more if I use more AS...same boron and microline diamond, but Jico has 28 degree VTA , OC9 is 22.
Sometimes one just need to listen ..
It should be interesting to test them at same VTF. Perhaps in the Fun thread?
 
Ortofon Jubilee (Used)

Cartridge bought on Ebay, with the description old, used, works. It was very cheap so I took a chance on the purchase.
I measured it to check what I bought :)
It turns out that I was very lucky because the copy is in good condition. It plays very nicely.
$150 well spent ;)


Ortofon Jubilee - Ortofon T-30 6 Ohm - CA-TSR-1007_1.png


IMG_20250109_205008076.jpg


Different azimuth setting.
As you can see, the crosstalk between channels has worsened, but the frequency response of the channels above 7 kHz has become more even.

Ortofon Jubilee - Ortofon T-30 6 Ohm - CA-TSR-1007_2.png
 
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Audio Technica OC9XML


View attachment 348361

About one hour on the cartridge. I didn't optimize azimuth - looks like right round -35dB should be attainable.

I'm thinking about buying this model, because you can currently buy this model at a very good price.

Only from what I can see, around 20 Hz it shakes a lot with this bracket

It looks bad.....
 
I'm thinking about buying this model, because you can currently buy this model at a very good price.

Only from what I can see, around 20 Hz it shakes a lot with this bracket

It looks bad.....
That's more a function of matching arm effective mass and cartridge compliance (and any arm damping) than it is a property of the cartridge.
 
That's more a function of matching arm effective mass and cartridge compliance (and any arm damping) than it is a property of the cartridge.

Ok. Will a larger effective mass of the arm, with the same cartridge compliance, reduce or increase the resonance amplitude in the range up to 20Hz?
 
Ok. Will a larger effective mass of the arm, with the same cartridge compliance, reduce or increase the resonance amplitude in the range up to 20Hz?
Larger effective mass will lower the resonant frequency. Amplitude is more about the size and frequency of stimulus (warp or ripple in the record, footsteps etc.) and the damping of the resonance (cartridge suspension, brush on cartridge, damping device on arm). Damping reduces the sharpness (Q) of the resonance, reducing amplitude but increasing frequency range.

There are loads of online resources for arm/cartridge matching, almost all using the same equation. Project for example. These give the resonant frequency but don't give the Q as damping is not considered. I've never seen the damping of the cartridge suspension specified, and few of the arm damping options specify it.

If you want to know more please start a new thread as this is off topic.
 
ADC XLM Improved MK II

This stylus was purchased in late 2023 from Rivertone on eBay. I've owned the cartridge body for over a decade.

I believe the listing stated "Manufactured in our factory in USA. Brand new constructed of 100 percent genuine ADC parts."

Here is the thread about it on AK from that time: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...mk-ii-improved-nos-stylus-on-the-bay.1044523/

I'm listening to it as I post this, in fact. Sounds very good! Nice and flat :)

ADC XLM Improved MK II_1.2 g_~200 pF_47k Ω_CA-TRS-1007 #1 - Side B_norm1_2_17.0_01-14-25.png
 
Excellent! I have one myself, but with a worn out stylus. If only there were new "exotic" styli for the XLM series...
 
I have a new ADC XLM Mark III I am now encouraged to press into service to replace my worn V15 IV MR.
 
ADC XLM Improved MK II

This stylus was purchased in late 2023 from Rivertone on eBay. I've owned the cartridge body for over a decade.

I believe the listing stated "Manufactured in our factory in USA. Brand new constructed of 100 percent genuine ADC parts."

Here is the thread about it on AK from that time: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...mk-ii-improved-nos-stylus-on-the-bay.1044523/

I'm listening to it as I post this, in fact. Sounds very good! Nice and flat :)

View attachment 420975
The cartridge is crooked in the headshell, or the needle tip is crookedly mounted in the support, or both. The crosstalk parameter between channels is very uneven.
 
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The cartridge is crooked in the headshell, or the needle tip is crookedly mounted in the support, or both. The crosstalk parameter between channels is very uneven.
Still it is quite low. -28/-38 dB.
 
The cartridge is crooked in the headshell, or the needle tip is crookedly mounted in the support, or both. The crosstalk parameter between channels is very uneven.
Wasn't this an issue with CA-TRS-1007? A lot of measurements in this thread have similar discrepancy
 
Still it is quite low. -28/-38 dB.
Yes, it is low, but above all, it is a very big difference.
Questions:
1. Is it possible to set the azimuth so that the crosstalk is equal?
2. How will changing the azimuth affect, or not affect, the frequency response of individual channels in higher frequencies?
3. Although I have sensed the Technics headshell, which is terrible, setting the azimuth in the Technics 1200GR turntable is still a pain in the ass.
 
I have a new ADC XLM Mark III I am now encouraged to press into service to replace my worn V15 IV MR.
Been there, done/doing that.. Later XLMs and the Phase IV I have here are very 'sweet' toned, compared to a neutral source. The low hours ZLM I have, rated back then as a little more assertive as regards surface noise, is nearer to it. My V15IVHE is a funny thing, Boring as heck at first, but then it kind of grows on me subjectively. Apparently neutral playing acetates, I suspect it's just showing how far the vinyl end product is from the original...

Currently enjoying (when I have the cfhance) an Ortofon Super OM30, it's slightly 'safe' reproduction suiting my turntable well...
 
Yes, it is low, but above all, it is a very big difference.
Questions:
1. Is it possible to set the azimuth so that the crosstalk is equal?
2. How will changing the azimuth affect, or not affect, the frequency response of individual channels in higher frequencies?
3. Although I have sensed the Technics headshell, which is terrible, setting the azimuth in the Technics 1200GR turntable is still a pain in the ass.
1. Sometimes difficult for some reasons, but most often if works. High crosstalk masks low-level details in the sound panned left and right. So low crosstalk overall is a good thing.
2. Since crosstalk is usually much poorer around 10-20 kHz, it can affect frequency response 10-20 kHz when adjusted. Test records are however a bit inconsistent in this area so difficult to know what it means. A better matching of HF response could imply more equal crosstalk in the HF. The poor HF crosstalk is often due to stylus resonance; we should have the old hollow beryllium cantilevers back!
3. Yes. It is PITA for some arms. My arm is easy to work with though by adjusting one of the pivots. The univpivot UP4 was also difficult by turning the counterweight, but it worked.
 
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