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Which cartridge do you prefer?

Which cartridge do you prefer?

  • File.1

    Votes: 2 33.3%
  • File. 2

    Votes: 2 33.3%
  • not sure

    Votes: 2 33.3%

  • Total voters
    6

WDeranged

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
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I have a preference for the extra detail and snap of number two, but it veers on sounding thin. I could easily see why someone would prefer the softer sound of number one. Otherwise they're tonally similar.

Focusrite Scarlett, KRK Rokit 6 g2.
 
Last edited:

TimW

Major Contributor
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Aug 15, 2018
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Seattle, WA
I voted 2, the vocals sound more forward and I like that. Not sure which is more accurate but 1 is just too soft and recessed for my taste. Listening with Salnotes Zero plugged into Schiit Hel.
 

Old Grey Punk

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2021
Messages
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38
What differences there are are tiny, both tracks are excellent. Like the reality of most gear comparisons as soon as you cross the 'everything works well together' line (usually a couple of hundred pounds/bucks/euros worth on each component). As I've said before a few times, a (relatively) modest but intelligent investment will get you 95% of the way there in terms of overall sound quality. All the vast expense / angst is chasing that last 5%...........
 

DVDdoug

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May 27, 2021
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As I've said before a few times, a (relatively) modest but intelligent investment will get you 95% of the way there in terms of overall sound quality. All the vast expense / angst is chasing that last 5%...........
But... "100%" vinyl quality is like 50% of digital quality. :p

I gave-up chasing vinyl quality when I got my 1st CD player because I realized vinyl could never match digital. ;) (And once I had a collection of CDs I stopped playing records.)

Even before that, I knew the main problem was the records themselves because there were some "pretty-good" sounding records. But I was still foolishly chasing better sound by upgrading, or wanting to upgrade, my cartridge.

I also realize now that the main difference is (was*) frequency response (I was usually looking for stronger highs) and that can be tweaked with EQ.



* I assume modern records have better and more consistent frequency response. In the vinyl days most were "dull sounding" with only a few having good-clean highs.
 
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