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MM vs MI vs MC

Empire 4000 D/I with NOS stylus:
Empire 4000 D-I_101k_~300pF_1.30g_CBS STR-100.png
 
I just received 2 AT7V's with 3 styli from Japan. Unfortunately, one of the styli broke in transit. That leaves me with 2 - one in unknown condition, and one that should be NOS, in the original ATN-7V box.

I have a feeling the unknown one may be worn, as it shows a drop in the high frequencies that the NOS one does not. The NOS one rides pretty low, while the unknown one rides uncomfortably low.

The SRA on the NOS one also seems to be less than 90º, as it looks like the stylus is angled slightly forward. Not sure what to make of this, perhaps the suspension is just deteriorated. I have attached a picture to show what I mean.

This is quite a nice sounding cartridge - though I detect more groove noise than expected. Maybe I'm just used to advanced styli now!

Tracking at 2 grams:

AT7V new_47K_190pF_STR-100.png


AT7V_47K_190pF_STR-100.png

IMG_5916.JPG
 
Last edited:
dlaloum said:
I would try to lower the C load further - while ALSO lowering the R load if at all possible (phono stage dependent)
Click to expand...
Thank you, that is a good idea. I have the DB Systems DBP-6 capacitance plugs, but no resistance plugs. The Vista Audio Phono-1 MkII that I am using has the ability to change resistance via plug-in resistors internally, but having to figure out which resistors you need and open it up every time is no fun.

I wish there were a commercially available phono stage with a good range (say, 5k to 100k in 5k or at least 10k increments) of adjustable resistance for MM cartridges, but it looks like there just isn't one. Many of them have 5 to 10 loading options for MC, but maybe two for MM if you're lucky.

Something like the Luxman E-250 has 34k, 47k, 56k, and 100k settings, which is certainly more than most, but still not enough.
 
Here is the Sumiko Blue Point original HOMC (the one that came with the P-mount adapter) tracking at 1.75 grams. I am unsure of stylus condition, but it sounds great and I doubt it has seen much use. Surprised that this one is so flat! It also gets great separation readings on the Fozgometer; around 35dB.

Sumiko Blue Point_47K_190pF_STR-100.png
 
Easy way to achieve it -

1) set the phono stage the the lowest possible C (C can only be raised), and the highest possible R (R can only be lowered) - my phono is set to 500k ohm... which means whatever R I plug in, is effectively the R I am using with no need for calculation.
If your max R is 100K, you will need to do a bit of calculating...
2) Use 2 Y adapters per channel, one for C plugs, and one for R plugs

Voila - you now have infinite variation available to you - just make your own plugs for the values you want!

Keep in mind that the Y adapters will add some capacitance - I experimented with several to get the lowest possible C
 
mackat said:
Here is the Sumiko Blue Point original HOMC (the one that came with the P-mount adapter) tracking at 1.75 grams. I am unsure of stylus condition, but it sounds great and I doubt it has seen much use. Surprised that this one is so flat! It also gets great separation readings on the Fozgometer; around 35dB.

View attachment 204155
Click to expand...
Lovely - and quite a rare cartridge!
 
mackat said:
Thank you, that is a good idea. I have the DB Systems DBP-6 capacitance plugs, but no resistance plugs. The Vista Audio Phono-1 MkII that I am using has the ability to change resistance via plug-in resistors internally, but having to figure out which resistors you need and open it up every time is no fun.

I wish there were a commercially available phono stage with a good range (say, 5k to 100k in 5k or at least 10k increments) of adjustable resistance for MM cartridges, but it looks like there just isn't one. Many of them have 5 to 10 loading options for MC, but maybe two for MM if you're lucky.

Something like the Luxman E-250 has 34k, 47k, 56k, and 100k settings, which is certainly more than most, but still not enough.
Click to expand...

Although DIY the Muffsy phono preamp has options.
 
mackat said:
I just received 2 AT7V's with 3 styli from Japan. Unfortunately, one of the styli broke in transit. That leaves me with 2 - one in unknown condition, and one that should be NOS, in the original ATN-7V box.

I have a feeling the unknown one may be worn, as it shows a drop in the high frequencies that the NOS one does not. The NOS one rides pretty low, while the unknown one rides uncomfortably low.

The SRA on the NOS one also seems to be less than 90º, as it looks like the stylus is angled slightly forward. Not sure what to make of this, perhaps the suspension is just deteriorated. I have attached a picture to show what I mean.

This is quite a nice sounding cartridge - though I detect more groove noise than expected. Maybe I'm just used to advanced styli now!

Tracking at 2 grams:

View attachment 204148

View attachment 204149
View attachment 204150
Click to expand...
Where’d you find those?
 
JP said:
Where’d you find those?
Click to expand...
A number of them have popped up on Yahoo in the past month. I'd be happy to send you one of the bodies if you haven't gotten one yet, I don't really need 2.
 
JP said:
I'd love to pick one up, thanks! I'd been looking, but I guess not often enough. I did catch this one: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/t1049470402
Click to expand...
Nice, which cart is that? I had been watching that auction, but couldn't figure out which cart it was.

This is the first one I bid on, which unfortunately wasn't screwed tightly enough to the headshell, causing the stylus to break: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h1046148549

This is the second one which came with both styli intact: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1047588052

Right now the exchange rate is quite favorable for us. Shipping prices keep going up though, so you win some, you lose some :)
 
Digital1955 said:
Anyone have a Shure M97Xe with any of the Jico SAS they could plot?
Click to expand...
I do, I will see whether I have any plots from when I measured it a few years back...
 
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