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Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library
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OP
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I just ordered a CBS STR-130. @JP, you may want to test that record. I'm going to assume you have it. Interestingly enough it doesn't require the CBS STR-100 option in the script.
Note that these are two different cartridges. I could well believe set-up and tonearm account for the difference at the high end.
Note that these are two different cartridges. I could well believe set-up and tonearm account for the difference at the high end.
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wpbilderback
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Thanks for the comparison. I should probably get a copy of CA TRS-1007, but, as you know, they are not cheap to obtain in the U.S.
i have 130 as well. what are the appropriate settings to use it?
OP
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For @wpbilderback's file I used
Just in case: a reminder that CBS STR-130 only goes down to 40Hz.
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Ya, I have a few copies. IIRC I’ve everything on the supported for file splitting list except the last one that’s Russian.
Getting around to it is another story - I’ve not had much interest in audio for several months now.
Technics EPC-100CMK3
I purchased this beautiful cartridge from Japan about 3 years ago. I had it inspected and the diamond shows no wear.
Unfortunately, as is typically the case with these cartridges, the Technics TTDD material has significantly deteriorated.
If I recall correctly, it only passes the 50, maybe 60 µm track on the Ortofon test record.
At the specified 1.25g tracking force, it already rides extremely low. I did one test at 1.5g and was on the edge of my seat the entire time - it looked to be about a hair's width away from the record. Not doing that again!
As usual, please ignore the droop in low frequencies - that's the phono stage, not the cartridge. Azimuth may have varied slightly between tests.
I purchased this beautiful cartridge from Japan about 3 years ago. I had it inspected and the diamond shows no wear.
Unfortunately, as is typically the case with these cartridges, the Technics TTDD material has significantly deteriorated.
If I recall correctly, it only passes the 50, maybe 60 µm track on the Ortofon test record.
At the specified 1.25g tracking force, it already rides extremely low. I did one test at 1.5g and was on the edge of my seat the entire time - it looked to be about a hair's width away from the record. Not doing that again!
As usual, please ignore the droop in low frequencies - that's the phono stage, not the cartridge. Azimuth may have varied slightly between tests.
They’re anchored to the first LF data point. In the above, they’re below the canvas due to your bass rolloff.
wpbilderback
Member
Here's a measurement of a Pickering V-15/ATE-4 cartridge with a Jico D1507DJ nude conical stylus. The cart was given to me free, and I bought the stylus on Amazon for $70. The test record is the CBS STR-130, which has been discussed here recently.
The Pickering V-15 was initially released in 1964 and is similar (or possibly identical) to the Stanton 500 series cartridges. These were two of the most common carts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. My dad had a V-15 on his KLH Model 15 integrated turntable/stereo system. If memory serves, his had a "Dustmatic" brush attached, but the Jico stylus doesn't have this.
I think this is a pretty good result for a cartridge design that is over 60 years old, and it arguably measures better than many current carts, but others can judge that for themselves. Tracking at 3.0 g (suggested range is 2.0 - 5.0 g) and anti-skate set at 1.5, the cart was able to play the Hi Fi News "torture track" (Bias setting (300Hz tone L+R at +18dB)), with only a slight buzzing in each channel.
Stanton/Pickering, Shure, and others would develop lighter-tracking cartridges with more extended frequency response later, but Pickering got the basics right in 1964. This, despite the claims from the hi-fi press of "quantum leaps" forward in phonographic playback every two or three years.
The Pickering V-15 was initially released in 1964 and is similar (or possibly identical) to the Stanton 500 series cartridges. These were two of the most common carts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. My dad had a V-15 on his KLH Model 15 integrated turntable/stereo system. If memory serves, his had a "Dustmatic" brush attached, but the Jico stylus doesn't have this.
I think this is a pretty good result for a cartridge design that is over 60 years old, and it arguably measures better than many current carts, but others can judge that for themselves. Tracking at 3.0 g (suggested range is 2.0 - 5.0 g) and anti-skate set at 1.5, the cart was able to play the Hi Fi News "torture track" (Bias setting (300Hz tone L+R at +18dB)), with only a slight buzzing in each channel.
Stanton/Pickering, Shure, and others would develop lighter-tracking cartridges with more extended frequency response later, but Pickering got the basics right in 1964. This, despite the claims from the hi-fi press of "quantum leaps" forward in phonographic playback every two or three years.
wpbilderback
Member
Shure M55E with Jico nude elliptical stylus
Shure long ago ceased producing styli, and in my experience, NOS styli not only tend to be expensive but are also a total crapshoot. So, how does the M55E measure with a quality aftermarket stylus?
It's not bad, I'd say, and very similar to the Pickering V-15 with a Jico stylus. One difference is that the Shure can track well with a lower VTF. It was able to track the "torture" bias setting track on my Hi-Fi News Test Record at 1.5 g VTF and anti-skate set at 1, with only a hint of distortion in both channels. This is good for any cartridge. I've seen some simply jump the groove on this track.
The Jico stylus costs $150 (both the stylus and cartridge are on loan from a friend). I can't say what the value proposition is on this. If you could find an M55E body for $50 (for a total of $200), buying a worse new cartridge at the same price is certainly possible. But maybe you could do better, I couldn't say, not being familiar with everything on the market. I do find it interesting that two ubiquitous carts that never got much love from audiophiles measure respectably, and in some cases arguably better, than pricier, highly-regarded carts.
The M55E also has a certain "old-school cool" look about it that I like, but obviously, that's subjective.
- Turntable: Technics SL-1200 Mk.2
- VTF: 1.5g
- Phonostage: Darlington Labs MM6B
- 47kΩ / 100pF / +35dB
- No SUT
- Cable capacitance: 120pF
- ADC: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen. 3
- Test record: CBS STR-130
Shure long ago ceased producing styli, and in my experience, NOS styli not only tend to be expensive but are also a total crapshoot. So, how does the M55E measure with a quality aftermarket stylus?
It's not bad, I'd say, and very similar to the Pickering V-15 with a Jico stylus. One difference is that the Shure can track well with a lower VTF. It was able to track the "torture" bias setting track on my Hi-Fi News Test Record at 1.5 g VTF and anti-skate set at 1, with only a hint of distortion in both channels. This is good for any cartridge. I've seen some simply jump the groove on this track.
The Jico stylus costs $150 (both the stylus and cartridge are on loan from a friend). I can't say what the value proposition is on this. If you could find an M55E body for $50 (for a total of $200), buying a worse new cartridge at the same price is certainly possible. But maybe you could do better, I couldn't say, not being familiar with everything on the market. I do find it interesting that two ubiquitous carts that never got much love from audiophiles measure respectably, and in some cases arguably better, than pricier, highly-regarded carts.
The M55E also has a certain "old-school cool" look about it that I like, but obviously, that's subjective.
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Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library
Skip to the index. After years of development we are finally launching our phono cartridge measurement library. These measurements were created using the brilliant cartridge response python script written by the legendary @scott wurcer and @JP. Information about its origins can be found in the...
www.audiosciencereview.com
well heres what a v15vmr looks like on my 2 copies of the str100 vs my str130
str100 (copy1)
str100 (copy 2)
str130
Balle Clorin
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The distortion should not drop off that early for a 96k recording? did you configure recording correctly?
wpbilderback
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In both your and @USER 's measurements, the STR-130 shows an approximately 2dB rise between 10 and 20 kHz relative to the STR-100. I have an STR-100 on order and will use that for any future submissions.
Thanks! Had some weird issue with the Luna DAW only exporting true 96khz when interface was connected. Without it said 96kHz but was effectively 44kHz. Lesson learned.
Audio-Technica AT-VM745xML
I was really hoping AT did something useful with the boron cantilever on this one. Sadly, it's principally a 540/740 with a bit more output, a lot more weight, and an extended peak rather than a rolled-off one. Loading guidance for flattest response is principally the same as the 540/740:as low on C as you can get and about 36k. ~105pF and 38k.
VTF was at the recommended 2g. I didn't bother optimizing azimuth but it looks like a bit better than -30dB at 1kHz should be easily achievable.
I was really hoping AT did something useful with the boron cantilever on this one. Sadly, it's principally a 540/740 with a bit more output, a lot more weight, and an extended peak rather than a rolled-off one. Loading guidance for flattest response is principally the same as the 540/740:
VTF was at the recommended 2g. I didn't bother optimizing azimuth but it looks like a bit better than -30dB at 1kHz should be easily achievable.
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