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Phono Cartridge Response Measurement Script

OP
JP

JP

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6 150MLX bodies including yours:

352/364
354/358
352/350
360/363
304/333
346/354
 

USER

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6 150MLX bodies including yours:

352/364
354/358
352/350
360/363
304/333
346/354
Thanks for taking the time to do this. Overall the line is consistent. At least you know which one to get rid of, lol. Was that the one you were using?
 
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OP
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Comparisons of Denon XG-7001*, JVC TRS-1007, and CBS STR 100:

*I need to verify the compensation for the XG-7001 is correct.

XG-7001_TRS-1007_STR 100-2.png


XG-7001_TRS-1007_STR 100.png
 
OP
JP

JP

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This is why I try to provide as much context as possible. How do the cartridges compare in inductance, for example. I rarely even get L & R channels to match in a single cartridge. I have seen wild variations, and certainly from spec.

I do think it's "known" that the STR 100 sweep tracks are not good for cross talk.
 
OP
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And just to help keep things in perspective, here are two passes on STR 100. Same everything done a few hours apart.

CBS STR 100 Two Passes.png
 
OP
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OP
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Quick note that I don't think the XG-7001 comp is correct below ~100Hz. Also really nice to be able to quickly put stuff like the below together. The designated capacitance isn't verified so let's call it +/-25pF of the labeled values.

VM740ML vs VM95ML_47k_STR 100.png
 
OP
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All understood but may be useful for others so thanks for posting.
 

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THESE ARE ONLY FOR TESTING AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT TAKE THEM AS FINAL.

CBS STR-100 vs. CLEARAUDIO FR · V15 V-MR.png

The Clearaudio FR test record is based on the JVC TRS-1007. Did they do a good job?

And as most have suspected, right channel measurements may be difficult to come by. Here the Shure V15 V-MR has inductance of L: 315mH, R: 318mH, 99% match.

CBS STR-100 L-R COMPARISON · V15 V-MR.png
CLEARAUDIO FR L-R COMPARISON · V15 V-MR.png
 
OP
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Carefule that nomenclature may confuse: L-R = vertical modulation.
 
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Appears there were three issues of the STR-100, with the original dated 1961. Not a lot of detail but I *think* the ones "we" have are issue 3. I've ordered an issue #1, and a purported sealed copy of issue #2 so we can compare all three.
 

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THESE ARE ONLY FOR TESTING AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT TAKE THEM AS FINAL.

Two more topics to think about.

Here is a measurement comparison of a V15 V-MR that was taken on two different turntables the same day late last year. (The measurement for the DP-35F only goes down to about 700Hz or so.)

DIFFERENT TURNTABLE COMPARISON · V15 V-MR.png

Here is a comparison of that same cartridge and stylus recorded late last year and today on the same turntable. I wanted to see if any wear is evident. (Again, first measurement goes down to around 700Hz.)
TEST RECORD WEAR COMPARISON (~100 PLAYS) · V15 V-MR.png

The good news is that the measurements carry over to other turntables. More, in this case at least, evidence of record wear affecting the frequency response is within a reasonable margin of error so I can continue using my test record. It seems that the big difference and what this most speaks to is my set-up. I need to be more careful. I think this has to do with tracking. Could the stylus stabilizing brush exacerbate the issue? I am confident I can get the test record wear graph to match better, but I think it is more useful to show the graph than to save face.

Anyways, I think these types of measurements are good to make every once in a while. Keeps you honest, at least.
 
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Do a few back-to-back you’ll likely see similar differences.
 

Thomas_A

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Thanks JP,

I've lost track of all those threads both at diyaudio (and VE). But essentially, you can fine-adjust azimuth and improve crosstalk using e.g. a 1 kHz left-right track. However, the setting would be valid for that track on that record. When you switch record, you will get other numbers. Sweeps showing cross-talk 20-20000 Hz is of course more revealing, but I guess accurate test records are more or less impossible to find for most of us.

In principle, I think low crosstalk correlates to lower distortion. Even if the signals are or should be correlated in stereo, cross-talk signals are often distorted.

Nevertheless, I guess adjusting azimuth can be used to check what the cartridge (and current stylus) is capable of, even if that spec will change between records. I think also there is no use setting stylus azimuth; it is the generator to groove symmetry that is important. The cartridge generator, cantilever, stylus assembly is what it is, and this relation can change between bodies and stylii. If the cantilever is skewed, replace it. And if you want to go there, find the test record with the lowest crosstalk and use that. Can be tedious; of those modern test records I have, the Ortofon test record gave the lowest numbers for a 1 kHz signal.

I made a short write-up of setting azimuth/crosstalk. But I've seen more advanced tools to analyse crosstalk here on ASR, so I guess this is "old stuff". The only thing that could be good to directly visualise, besides level, is the phase of the crosstalk signal vs the main signal.

 

undeakyetonde

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Thank you for your work

The latest code for the script can be found here. I intend to get this on GitHub at some point, but as I'm not a developer I've only read code from repos and have never had to use them for workflow, so I've a learning curve. Patience appreciated.

Have you heard of GitHub Gists? Basically code snippets with versioning and comments. Should be more convenient than pasting stuff to a forum and keeping track of versions yourself. No collaboration features like a real git repo though, only comments
 

Balle Clorin

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How to run the script in Windows

1. Download and install Anaconda from here: https://www.anaconda.com/products/distribution
  • Latest versions of Anaconda come with most of the required libraries
  • Generally, you can search for and install missing libraries from within Anaconda Navigator (Environments)
  • However, you will need to manually install librosa
2. Install librosa library

  • This is subject to change so please see the librosa site for the latest information
  • If you make significant changes to Anaconda/Spyder and you get a missing .dll error you will need to re-install librosa
Not sure what to do with the CONDA warning? can I run as is? Also the script cannot understand the "import Librosa" even if I just installed it

(base) PS C:\Users\ersol> conda install -c conda-forge librosa
Collecting package metadata (current_repodata.json): done
Solving environment: failed with initial frozen solve. Retrying with flexible solve.
Solving environment: failed with repodata from current_repodata.json, will retry with next repodata source.
Collecting package metadata (repodata.json): done
Solving environment: done


==> WARNING: A newer version of conda exists. <==
current version: 4.9.2
latest version: 23.1.0

Please update conda by running


$ conda update -n base -c defaults conda



## Package Plan ##

environment location: C:\Users\ersol\anaconda3

added / updated specs:
- librosa


The following packages will be downloaded:

package | build
---------------------------|-----------------
appdirs-1.4.4 | pyh9f0ad1d_0 13 KB conda-forge
audioread-3.0.0 | py38haa244fe_1 34 KB conda-forge
conda-4.12.0 | py38haa244fe_0 1.0 MB conda-forge
libflac-1.3.3 | h0e60522_1 324 KB conda-forge
libogg-1.3.4 | h8ffe710_1 34 KB conda-forge
libopus-1.3.1 | h8ffe710_1 255 KB conda-forge
librosa-0.9.2 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 156 KB conda-forge
libsndfile-1.0.31 | h0e60522_1 354 KB conda-forge
libvorbis-1.3.7 | h0e60522_0 267 KB conda-forge
openssl-1.1.1h | he774522_0 5.8 MB conda-forge
pooch-1.6.0 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 44 KB conda-forge
pysoundfile-0.11.0 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 25 KB conda-forge
python_abi-3.8 | 2_cp38 4 KB conda-forge
resampy-0.3.1 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 3.2 MB conda-forge
------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 11.4 MB

The following NEW packages will be INSTALLED:

appdirs conda-forge/noarch::appdirs-1.4.4-pyh9f0ad1d_0
audioread conda-forge/win-64::audioread-3.0.0-py38haa244fe_1
libflac conda-forge/win-64::libflac-1.3.3-h0e60522_1
libogg conda-forge/win-64::libogg-1.3.4-h8ffe710_1
libopus conda-forge/win-64::libopus-1.3.1-h8ffe710_1
librosa conda-forge/noarch::librosa-0.9.2-pyhd8ed1ab_0
libsndfile conda-forge/win-64::libsndfile-1.0.31-h0e60522_1
libvorbis conda-forge/win-64::libvorbis-1.3.7-h0e60522_0
pooch conda-forge/noarch::pooch-1.6.0-pyhd8ed1ab_0
pysoundfile conda-forge/noarch::pysoundfile-0.11.0-pyhd8ed1ab_0
python_abi conda-forge/win-64::python_abi-3.8-2_cp38
resampy conda-forge/noarch::resampy-0.3.1-pyhd8ed1ab_0

The following packages will be UPDATED:

conda pkgs/main::conda-4.9.2-py38haa95532_0 --> conda-forge::conda-4.12.0-py38haa244fe_0

The following packages will be SUPERSEDED by a higher-priority channel:

openssl pkgs/main --> conda-forge


Proceed ([y]/n)?


Downloading and Extracting Packages
openssl-1.1.1h | 5.8 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
libsndfile-1.0.31 | 354 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
resampy-0.3.1 | 3.2 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
librosa-0.9.2 | 156 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
python_abi-3.8 | 4 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
pooch-1.6.0 | 44 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
conda-4.12.0 | 1.0 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
libopus-1.3.1 | 255 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libogg-1.3.4 | 34 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libvorbis-1.3.7 | 267 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
pysoundfile-0.11.0 | 25 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
audioread-3.0.0 | 34 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libflac-1.3.3 | 324 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
appdirs-1.4.4 | 13 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
Preparing transaction: done
Verifying transaction: done
Executing transaction: done
(base) PS C:\Users\ersol>


But I get LIBROSA ERROR when called and program stops. Librosa is here on my PC
C:\Users\ersol\anaconda3\Lib\site-packages

1674894316475.png
 
Last edited:

USER

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Not sure what to do with the CONDA warning? can I run as is? Also the script cannot understand the "import Librosa" even if I just installed it

(base) PS C:\Users\ersol> conda install -c conda-forge librosa
Collecting package metadata (current_repodata.json): done
Solving environment: failed with initial frozen solve. Retrying with flexible solve.
Solving environment: failed with repodata from current_repodata.json, will retry with next repodata source.
Collecting package metadata (repodata.json): done
Solving environment: done


==> WARNING: A newer version of conda exists. <==
current version: 4.9.2
latest version: 23.1.0

Please update conda by running


$ conda update -n base -c defaults conda



## Package Plan ##

environment location: C:\Users\ersol\anaconda3

added / updated specs:
- librosa


The following packages will be downloaded:

package | build
---------------------------|-----------------
appdirs-1.4.4 | pyh9f0ad1d_0 13 KB conda-forge
audioread-3.0.0 | py38haa244fe_1 34 KB conda-forge
conda-4.12.0 | py38haa244fe_0 1.0 MB conda-forge
libflac-1.3.3 | h0e60522_1 324 KB conda-forge
libogg-1.3.4 | h8ffe710_1 34 KB conda-forge
libopus-1.3.1 | h8ffe710_1 255 KB conda-forge
librosa-0.9.2 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 156 KB conda-forge
libsndfile-1.0.31 | h0e60522_1 354 KB conda-forge
libvorbis-1.3.7 | h0e60522_0 267 KB conda-forge
openssl-1.1.1h | he774522_0 5.8 MB conda-forge
pooch-1.6.0 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 44 KB conda-forge
pysoundfile-0.11.0 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 25 KB conda-forge
python_abi-3.8 | 2_cp38 4 KB conda-forge
resampy-0.3.1 | pyhd8ed1ab_0 3.2 MB conda-forge
------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 11.4 MB

The following NEW packages will be INSTALLED:

appdirs conda-forge/noarch::appdirs-1.4.4-pyh9f0ad1d_0
audioread conda-forge/win-64::audioread-3.0.0-py38haa244fe_1
libflac conda-forge/win-64::libflac-1.3.3-h0e60522_1
libogg conda-forge/win-64::libogg-1.3.4-h8ffe710_1
libopus conda-forge/win-64::libopus-1.3.1-h8ffe710_1
librosa conda-forge/noarch::librosa-0.9.2-pyhd8ed1ab_0
libsndfile conda-forge/win-64::libsndfile-1.0.31-h0e60522_1
libvorbis conda-forge/win-64::libvorbis-1.3.7-h0e60522_0
pooch conda-forge/noarch::pooch-1.6.0-pyhd8ed1ab_0
pysoundfile conda-forge/noarch::pysoundfile-0.11.0-pyhd8ed1ab_0
python_abi conda-forge/win-64::python_abi-3.8-2_cp38
resampy conda-forge/noarch::resampy-0.3.1-pyhd8ed1ab_0

The following packages will be UPDATED:

conda pkgs/main::conda-4.9.2-py38haa95532_0 --> conda-forge::conda-4.12.0-py38haa244fe_0

The following packages will be SUPERSEDED by a higher-priority channel:

openssl pkgs/main --> conda-forge


Proceed ([y]/n)?


Downloading and Extracting Packages
openssl-1.1.1h | 5.8 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
libsndfile-1.0.31 | 354 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
resampy-0.3.1 | 3.2 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
librosa-0.9.2 | 156 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
python_abi-3.8 | 4 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
pooch-1.6.0 | 44 KB | ############################################################################ | 100%
conda-4.12.0 | 1.0 MB | ############################################################################ | 100%
libopus-1.3.1 | 255 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libogg-1.3.4 | 34 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libvorbis-1.3.7 | 267 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
pysoundfile-0.11.0 | 25 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
audioread-3.0.0 | 34 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
libflac-1.3.3 | 324 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
appdirs-1.4.4 | 13 KB | ################################################################################################################## | 100%
Preparing transaction: done
Verifying transaction: done
Executing transaction: done
(base) PS C:\Users\ersol>


But I get LIBROSA ERROR when called and program stops. Librosa is here on my PC
C:\Users\ersol\anaconda3\Lib\site-packages

View attachment 260550
That's a big jump from conda 4 to 23. Is that for anaconda in general? Big leaps like that can be a problem. It usually means that everything else is outdated as well. What version of python are you using? I recommend you start a new anaconda environment. Start fresh (without killing your old environment if you are using it). Base it off python 3.10. You'll have to search for and install most libraries as well as Spyder and CMD.exe.

If you are only using python for this script, it may be a good idea to uninstall the previous program and start fresh with Anaconda.
 
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