PHONO CARTRIDGE: How to choose and match it with your preamp and tonearm
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- In this video we discuss how to choose and match phono cartridges with your turntable system. In particular with your preamp and tonearm. At first this might seem very difficult and technical but give time to the video and you will start to move with some confidence in this world and obtain the maximum from your turntable's audio reproduction and your hi-fi system in general.
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Music: "George Street Shuffle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Resonance calculator app: www.resfreq.com...
Millinewton/micrometer ↔ Dyne/meter Conversion: www.endmemo.com...
Resonance frequency (RF) formula:
RF = 1000 : (2 x π x √ (M x C))
Where:
RF - Cartridge resonance frequency in Hz
π - 3.14159265359...
C - Cartridge compliance lateral in µm/mN
M - Total tonearm system mass which is a sum of Mass of cartridge, Mass of headshell and screws and Effective mass of tone arm (all values in grams).
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Good quality cartridges not too expensive (although good cartridges ARE a little expensive):
MC: Dynavector DV 10X5; Denon 103R
MM: Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black (expensive); Goldring 1012GX
For the best MC go for Lyra Kleos, Etna or Atlas (in my opinion)
![FendiDa Rappa - Clock Dat ft. Shamar Marco [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NBU8KHdxYY/mqdefault.jpg)
Three years after you produced this video I can honestly say I understand why you got so many positive comments. In my travels around RUclips there are not many other audio channels that go into the detail with great clarity that you do. I’ve never heard anyone talk about matching compliance of tonearm and cartridge before. I am also blown away by how many of the comments you respond to. That doesn’t happen very often on RUclips either. So now that we are three years down the road I wanted to let you know that you still got it Guido.
Neil, thank you so much. You made my day...once again! For me your words are an injection of fuel to continue! THX!❤
@@anadialog I say what I mean and I mean what I say. You certainly know how to make a video presentation and the information you provide is really meaningful. You have a fire in your belly for how to set up audio equipment properly and top it off with the love of great music. I appreciate this very much.
I know and that is way it is even more special
Out of all the audiophile channels out there, your channel is the most informative because you dig deep into the details. I salute your efforts!!!
After I am done listening, I decided to donate my turntable lol.
No! Don't!!
Ha ha ha ha! That's funny! I feel your pain!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the insights, another tip for matching Compliance with desired cartridge is that lot of headshells are available in different Weights like the audio technica at-lh Series + for fine adjustments adding shims on the headshell so you can get as near es possible to the 10 hz .
Im Using the Project phonobox ds3b - its nice to set up the cartridge Specs on the front of the Preamp especially when using multiple carts for different listening needs
Thanks so much for making this video!! I'm new to the hobby so this is a HUGE help. Now I have somewhat of an idea what I should look for in a cartridge/preamp to pair up with my turntable. I haven't bought anything yet but at least I can rest easy knowing I have made an informed decision, whatever combination I end up getting. :D
Excellent video. Very informative. Excellent communication. Perfect pace tone of voice . Easy to understand . Thank you so much!
And here I was so proud of myself after I straightened out the bent tonearm I had, taking it from an s-shape to a straight tube, and took my friend’s suggestion to tape two quarters on top of the cartridge. No more skipping!
* JUST KIDDING *
Still putting aside for my next upgrade: Ortofon Black - can’t wait!!
I had to laugh when i read this, just went through this with a friend of mine. He did exactly that to his J shaped arm then glued lead weight on the headshell to get it to track. I had to remove arm and bin it replacing it with new arm and cartridge. he was told by his wife to never try to improve the audio system without professional advice. enjoy the music
Very astute video. You are absolutely correct in emphasizing the importance of the phono-cartridge as one of the most important links in a vinyl record-playing system. Similar to a loudspeaker, the cartridge is an electro-mechanical transducer which changes mechanical motion into an electrical signal. A loudspeaker, of course, does the exact opposite -- changing an electrical signal into mechanical motion. As such, these two links tend to be, as you imply, the most critical or, let us say, the two links most subject to variation. As a user of the Shure V-15 Type V cartridge I was advised to add a small capacitor to the wiring leading to the cartridge as Shure had made such a recommendation. Very interesting that you raised the importance of that factor.
With a CD player, one electro-mechanical transducer link is effectively eliminated. It is simply reading digital data from a disc which it converts into an analog electrical signal. Although some claim otherwise, I don't think there is much, if any, difference to be heard from one CD player to another. Being electromechanical transducers, microphones, phono cartridges and loudspeakers remain a combination of science and art.
Cartridge and speakers are the only transducers in the system. They affect sound the most and will have the most subjective affect.
You're doing a great job of over complicating things 👍🏾
Thanks!
Why does the overall mass of the tone arm matter when the downward force can be adjusted? Most cartridges require about 2 gr of force. Probably not using the correct term.
Because the vibrations created by the resonance go through the arm and change according to the mass.
@@anadialog mmm science good. That clears a few things up. Downloaded a spec sheet for my Marantz 2230b and have original user manual for my Sony PS X55S. Will watch video again and connect the dots.
Grazie mille amico mio. I am the original owner so I am old school.
The tone arm is also very important.
I like all your information
I was watching the video. I don't fully understand the language and that's why I don't fully understand it. Surely your explanation has been excellent.
I have an AKAI AP-D30 turntable and an AKAI AM-U04 amplifier. Originally this turntable came with a PC90 cartridge and RS90 stylus. It had excellent sound but it deteriorated from use.
Then I put in an Ortofon 2M Red but I was never 100% convinced of its sound. It's not the sound I like.
I am now using a Technics 270 C-II and I am in love with its sound.
I would like to know what cartridge you would recommend for my turntable, since I want to have a new one in addition to the Technics.
Thank you so much.
Norberto
Difficult to say, we would need the mass of the tonearm ans headshell but I would simply go for a vintage cart or a quality jico cart/stylus.
@@anadialog Thanks for your answer! I'm currently using a Technics 270 C-II cartridge and I really like it.
I'm thinking of buying an Audio Technica VM 95 EN.
I used to be into this stuff and remember something that happened when I purchased a Japanese brand in the $350.00 range. I wound up picking up a radio station with it. I called the manufacturer and they told me to buy a resistor to solder on some points and it killed that problem.
Thanks so much for this. I received a Pro-Ject X1 for Christmas and I'm planning on replacing the Pick It S2 MM catridge it came with. Either with a Nagaoka MP-200, a Grado Opus 3 cartridge or an Ortofon 2M Bronze. Your video will help me to choose. Thanks again.
the most important part of a turntable is all of it , platter(TT) , arm and cartridge if any one them are crap you get crap
Hello,
for the compliance calculation i wrote to the manufacturer to know the tonearm weight. Do i have to add the counterweight in the calculation?
Respectfully.
Thank you for simplifying and explaining how to get the correct combination of cartridge, arm and phono pre. This would have saved me a lot of grief and money when I was younger. Trial and error is a hard way to learn where there is a precise mathematical formula to achieve a good result. You make sense to me.
Thanks Paul!
Very interesting video!
Thank you!
Best Test and Review many Cartridge is this User: ruclips.net/channel/UCKNKJ_uFheEftryRCvbmfNgvideos , more details, this user compare many brands and models, and many parameters, more complete and very good for all users, It does not matter if you are a beginner or more advanced or have more money to buy more expensive or better quality cartridges.....
This video is not a review of specific cartridges bit how to match them in general with tonearms and pre-amps...something rather rare don' t you think?
I think you did do a good job trying to keep it simple considering the complexities involved. One thing that you glossed over, but mention was making sure your cartridge matches the phono preamp. This is extremely important with moving coil and low output in particular. Example if you are looking at a .3 moving coil you should have a phono preamp that has a minimum of 63-70 db to match a given moving magnet other wise your volume will be too low and when you turn the regular preamp up at that point you will interface distortion, but you were working with a limited amount of time and do understand that. Keep the content coming and I do appreciate your time. The referral to Ian site is great as he does in debt reviews over a period of time and pays for the products that he reviews out of his pocket and he is dedicated to the Vinyl community. Your emphasis on Compliance is something most people miss and that would include Ian's site, so thank you.
Thank you Sid and thank you for pointing out thus other important aspect related to pairing!
I was eying a few tonearm however none mentioned anything about the tonearm weight.. just the net weight about 750g. They do say cartridge + headshell weight 15-45g range tho.. so I can’t check the resonance frequency based on this I guess
Manufacturers rarely give that info. I really hope you are not using a 750g tonearm, yikes! Try contact the one you are interested in or look for a manual if available.
@@anadialog I was researching a bit and in general - high effective mass tonearm are better with heavier cartridges (Like SPUs) and relatively lower compliance cartridges? And medium effective mass tonearm are better for lighter cartridges like hana, Lyra , Denon 103.. however there could be some exceptions too? Like a high effective mass tonearm could be good for cartridges like Denon 103 also … ya I am confused sometimes
On the Shure test records there were tracks to find the resonance frequency of the tonearm /cartridge combination....
MC don't need amplification , the energy is sufficient but needs only a conversion of current to voltage , something that's done by a quality step up transformer..........amplifying is an aberration but common commercial practice.
Good transformers are pricy.........
Your advice is correct ........go for a quality MM if a quality MC and step up is out of your budget.
Yes, a good step up is the best solution, I agree!
Moving iron cartridges are great as well. often overlooked, I have a Moving Permalloy Nagaoka, sounds fantastic its has often better scanning of a record then a moving coil cartridge due to the metal being lighter they can also produce high signal voltages so they can produce the same as a MM cartridge, easier for the pre amp to pick up. Best of both worlds.
My B&O MMC-20EN is also suppose to me a "moving iron" cartridge. I don't know if that is good or bad. It sounds good to me but I have nothing else with which to compare it.
You've inadvertently answered my question. I have a modded Rega arm and would like to get the Denon 103R sone have said the arm mass is a bit light. But it seems I can just get the Soundsmith headshell screw to add the needed mass. Thanks, great channel.
I was in dubt with the coupling of a cartridge with my tonearm. I remember I saw your video, did my math and it's all right. Thank you so much Guido, highly appreciated.
Thanks ❤
I'm basically starting from scratch I've owned TD 124s I've owned oracles I've owned micro seiki and a lot of other high end turntables but now I'm down to no turntables and need advice as far as best matchup for a turntable arm and cartridge setup I do have a quicksilver tube preamp with a separate phono section so would need some advice. Please if you could help me that would be great.
Heres the info on the tone arm I see on my table. I dont see where I can find the weight of the the arm. Am I missing something?
Technics 1210GR
Head shell weight Approx. 7.6 g
Applicable
cartridge weight
range
(Without the auxiliary weight)
5.6 to 12.0 g
14.3 to 20.7 g (including the
head shell)
(With the auxiliary weight)
10.0 to 16.4 g
18.7 to 25.1 g (including the
head shell)
Exelent episode, thanks so much, could you give a brief explanation about variable reluctance cartrige type, thanks
Well, that type of cartridge instead of having a magnet at the end of the cantilever it has a piece of hallow iron and in fact they are also called moving iron cartridges, which instead have a fixed magnet generating the signal in the coil. Less mass is the trick here for better tracking and low distortion. But this technology is rather rare now to find and IMHO less developed than MM and MC.
I found in the trash a lenco p75 10’years ago it has a shure mt5 type 2 cartridge I’m waiting to find a perfect stylus for it, so what I recommend is buy and old good turntable probably comes with a killer cartridge
Good information, not very helpful for restoring vantage turntable when the manufacturer is not really around anymore.
Thank you! This will help me a lot to buy my first turntable and system!!! It was very calm and nice explained for someone who tries to get into this topic! :) (I heard some systems and found that the Nagaoka MP-200 sounds very good for me. Now I can look if the turntable (with the tonearm) would fit and also I am able to search now for a good (but not expensive preamp) a recommendation would be fine :)
Great! Welcome aboard! Check this video and the video description for some phono pre-amp recommendations: ruclips.net/video/zOPD7lKqEP0/видео.html
Is it static figure that gets put in for calculation (thereby converting from dynamic, when only that’s available)? Thanks
Just need an Excel sheet. Need a at3600l replacement. Want to get AT VM95e. Will it work!
Thanks
I've only just tipped my toe into Turntables and have a few very nice vintage Pioneer PL series TTs. I am only starting to purchase different cartridges to try out. I don't have a pre amp as such but any of my Pioneer SX 50 or 80 series receivers have excellent phono sections.
BTW, I love that you have the Queen " The Studio Collection" up there on the shelf. I have two 1st edition ones in my collection.
Cool! Welcome aboard! Do try to get a good stand alone phono preamp at some point...things will start to change big time!
Most MM cardridges do fine on 47K ohm first resistor input phone amp
Capacitance is a mostly not written on specs. They variatie from 47pF till 220pf one rule the higher the capacity the more the high tones are filtered out of the Amp. So if you have a less bass sound you can go higher in pF (Pico fahrad)
MC is mostly without capacitance rather the more the resistor from 5K till 68k or sometimes higher.
Most phono amp have fixed values.
Go for a phono amp with dips witches inside the phono amp. So you can adjust it to your taste.
My MM cardridge is a Grado reference platinum 2 wood
Specs:
OUTPUT: 4.8mV @ 5 CMV (45)
CONTROLLED FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10-60 KHZ
CHANNEL SEPARATION: AVERAGE 40 DB - 10-30 KHZ
LOAD: 47,000 OHMS
INDUCTANCE: 40 mh
RESISTANCE: 600 OHMS NON SENSITIVE TO CAPACITIVE LOAD
CHASSIS MASS: 10 GRAMS
TRACKING FORCE: 1.5 - 1.9 GRAMS
So this grado isn't sensitive to capacitance load.
Nice video good explanation
Hello there and thanks for your information. I have a Denon DP 11-F turntable that is over 40 years old. I am still using the original Grado G1 cartridge. I am in the market to replace the cartridge. My question is two-fold: 1. Do you have a recommendation for the new cartridge 2. Will it make more sense to invest in a new turntable and cartridge?
May be my answer is too late, but may be not. Sumiko Amethyst for $500 is one of the best MM cartridges (if you love MM). ZYX R1000 for about $1500 slightly used, otherwise is one of the best MC cartridges because it has absolute true high freqs. And they match to most of all Japanese turntables with med/med-to-heavy tone arms.
Just for fun i hooked my DL-130 (not my main cart) LOMC 0.3 mV up with my MM phonostage at 47k
With only 50 dB gain. This only produces roughly a 100 mV signal, but nevertheless -
It sounded amazing. Even though it's supposed to be hooked up with 250 ohms load..!
I keep seeing people reporting this, .. - they hooked their low impedance Lomc up with 47k load and it sounds good and sometimes better than other options.. 😅
The manufacturers always list "Greater than 100 ohm load" in the specs sheets;
but i guess 47k ohm falls within that specification😝
I just wanted to hear my de'Paravicini EAR Yoshino phonostage without the SUT's active, then it's running 47k.. and it sounds better.. SUT's taints the soundstage not worth it.
Now I'm on the lookout for a cartridge with 0.7 - 1,2 mV 5cm/sec,
Benz micro glider SM .. hmm
You guys got any suggestions for a great medium output MC?
Actually would be nice to show us an actual physical example of a cartridge phono setup?
A physical set up is here, ruclips.net/video/GqWh41NT1Cc/видео.html
the compliance calculations must be done by you! :-)
Probably your best upload amigo. Hope you and yours are all well.
Thanks, me too!
Love the videos, great help! Can you help me understand how to use the Japanese Dynamic Compliance spec (im guessing its 100hz) for a Nagaoka cart. If it lists the compliance as 8.5 x 10-6 cm/dyne, do I multiply by factor of 2? Is the compliance really then 17? Thank you!
Exactly!
I have the same turntable! See if you can hunt down an original Sony headshell.
The tone arm AND cartridge ... followed by the deck ... are the most important aspects ... upgrading the cartridge on its own without considering this, would be a total waste of money.
For example, you would not put a £3000.00 cartridge on a £300.00 turntable ! ... and that is a fact!
BTW ... most decent (and even budget) phono pre amps can deal with any cartridge (MM or MC) matching issues.
Yes you can. You can't do the contrary. Put a 300$ cart on a 3000$ turntable. Check my review on my Stabi R. It's good but absolutely not worth that amount of money. Turntables are not rocket science and IMO a decent deck can do great things. Cart have crazy prices but the quality of those high end carts It's just outstanding, can't say the same for turntables. ruclips.net/video/XmCZPFh880s/видео.html
Great content! This is hugely valuable. Thank you
This is the sort of information that makes an all-digital system look pretty good.
lol. Its a labour of love.
Awww come on now, its fun! For some lol. Someone has to keep the format alive.
You are very simple...😅
Please review the Sumiko Black Bird low MC cartridge
I also hear of a pair of fairchild's tub amps for my amplifier setup
Sir magnet cartridge at3600l price
Hey for audio research sp3 mc or mm which will you recommend?
Thank you very much for all this videos about turntables and so on. I am looking to buy my first turntable soon and this actually helps a lot and is very well explained.
This is an old video. I hope you see this question. I have a sansui 9090DB that has a Sansui 929 with a jelco 750d tone arm. The original was damaged in a moving accident. I now have an AT120E that I hate. MC is very attractive to me but all my searches found most people not using that tonearm or reciever. Please help. I'd like to put a new cartridge soon. And thank you.
Hi there, try upgrading to a Ortophon, Grado or Nagaoka. As I have said to many, I did this video to explain how to match arm with cart. Follow the instructions and try to find tye best match. Remember a simple rule, high compliance low mass arm and low compliance high mass arm.
@@anadialog so the ones you mentioned in MC cartridges?
The brands I mentioned have both types. If you decide to invest in a good MC don't forget to pair it with a good phono preamp.
Does compliance matter so much with low mass, short linear tonearms? I use a Transfi Audio Terminator.
It always matters because all tonearms resonate at specific frequencies
I have a Pro-Ject Tube Box-S phono pre-amp and a Shure M97XE (MM) and a Hana EL (MC) cartridge. I upgraded to the Hana around a year ago and I re-installed my old Shure and I have to say I love it so much more. The Hana really creates a harsh sound with some of my records and overall too much of a thin high pitched sound signature...for my liking. If I upgraded to a much more expensive pre-amp would that make the Hana just shine and make me forget the Shure or is it just a fact that I like MM and my Shure cartridge better?
So confused....
Great video BTW...thanks.
Oh, also, I have tried all possible settings for my two cartridges and the end result is the same.
They are both excellent cartridges. I believe you have an MC phono preamp, correct? In any way, a high quality phono preamp is always a good idea. They will both greatly benefit from that upgrade.
👍
i strongly recommend Pat & Mick's 'on the night' when it comes to matching suitable tone arm;made easy,valuable context. hope it helps viewers.
Dude you can't go into this amount of detail winging it with no preparation/ forethought and almost no editing Or even cue cards. You're all over the place.
I guess I can and the rest of the audience seems to appreciate it. This is one of my first videos, nevertheless the message stands and it is valid. I don't see any mistakes or problems fortunately maybe a little more friendly design as you said
Thank you, that was a really nice roundup! I have a question regarding Ortofon cartridges, because you can only find "lateral compliance" in their spec sheets. What does that mean?
Compliance can be measured in dynamic and static, but also vertical or horizontal (or lateral). In other words its elastivity in both directions, static or in movement. You should check/test both values if you really want to know what is going on (or use a test disc like I describe here:ruclips.net/video/GqWh41NT1Cc/видео.html). In the absence of one or both try to contact the manufacture.
I’m new to Vinyl - My TT is a fully restored Thorens TD 125 MK ll with SME M2-9-R Arm and Ortofon 2M Bronze cart. The Preamp is an Audio Research PH3 SE. My front end consists of Sonic Frontiers Line 3, Power 3s and Martin Logan CLX Art speakers. The Preamp was purchased recently when I became interested in Vinyl. The previous owner was using a MC & I had to remove the load resistor to have any volume. The ARC PH3 SE input impedance is 47 ohms at 90pF unbalanced. The Ortofon 2M Bronze recommend load capacitance is 150-300pF. Currently, I don’t like the overall sound, could it be that I need to adjust the load capitalize to the recommend 150-300pF? Should I stay on the low end of the range, or does that matter?
Nice setup! Well, if a preamp is designed for an MC cart the results with a MM cart may not be optimal. The contrary may instead work with a high output. Try changing phono preamps if you can and see what heppens.
I wonder whether I can mount Ortofon 2m (red) on my Dual 704 with original tonearm, if I use Technics SU-7300 amplifier with phono stage? The problem is that older equipment usually doesn't have much info around.
Hi i have a 32 + years old Technics SL-BD22 which takes PMount carts only and since 3 hours ago i've replaced the Technics cart P-34 with an Audio Technica AT-85EP, and i saw some interesting sound quality difference , it sounds a little bit better overall by my opinion, and also more detail in hi frequencies especially,
my 52+ years old ears can detect more high frequencies
I know my tt is not something special but this cart i believe it is what best it could be for it at-least is what i believe .
I don't know your opinion about this AT-85EP ?
Nice and detailed video as usual :-)
There are so many AT carts! I never heard that one, I will check it next time I can...thanks!
@@anadialog Thank you too for your quick reply :-)
My cartrage Audeo tek 230 setting ballance weight , I have to give it 0.1 to reduce record wear .
now the top end sounds more crisp , I think I read it wrong ,bad
you may ionize the vinyl, - there is a comp from Germany who develop such a tech. save the wear for over 1000 times less...
Cool!!!
Great video. My compliments!!
Great job.
Thanks!
Hi great video i have a technics sl1210 gr with a Denon DL 103R which i really like what do you suggest the compliance with the tonearm tracking weight and impedance should be for this cart i also have a rega fono mc thanks for any guidance you can give me
I have a Linn Basik LV-X tonearm with a Linn K9 cartridge with a AT-VMN95E Stylus... playing through my Exposure x pre amp ... what do you think .. Paul
I have the same K9 cart with the same green needle on a Rega Planar 3 first edition and I love it next step is to buy the Shibata needle , price its like $180
The real question is what do "you" think? Human ears are a combo of hardware and software, everyone is different from another. The" best" is whatever sounds good to you.
Effective tonearm mass +cartridge mass equals compliance not the tonearm mass
True but again, not necessary because it is more complex to understand and the manufacturers already indicate effective mass. If one starts from scratch then, yes, you should calculate effective mass.
What does "close" to 10Hz resonance frequency mean? i mean is 8.5 or 11.5 still ok? How far is too far away?
Stay between 8-10hz and you are good. 9 is the best.
Thanks for the fast and exact answer! Have a great weekend!
Wha? Certainly not Layman's terms but digestable with some focus. Thanks!
@ANA[DIA]LOG I would state that it is the **tonearm** that is the "heart" of the turntable, and the cartridge is more of a "major organ" -- what contributes the most to the final sound-quality is the tonearm -- a "medium to high" effective mass, low bearing friction/low-play (chatter), low "initial-inertia", ultra-rigid tonearm can make or break the performance of the transducer -- in other words, no matter how high the subjective quality of the cartridge, its sonic performance is delimited by the tonearm performance. This was illustrated to me recently when I used an Audio Technica AT-33SA LOMC in a Kuzma 4-point [11] -- most would not pair a ~$750.00 USD cartridge with a $9,000.00 USD tonearm -- but **try it** if you can - you might be shocked. I am glad you find my www.resfreq.com site useful -- Wally Malewicz was a close friend and asked me "please get these formula posted and make it easy to use" -- I am re-investigating these formula, as I found the critique of Alex at Korf Audio rather compelling -- so also check out his site korfaudio.com/calculator and double check that what you will buy matches the arm's effective mass. One small aside -- you did not mention the stylus tip geometry as a selection criteria -- be very cautious when looking at conical/spherical cartridges (especially ones designed for "broadcast" use) -- broadcasters got 'records for free', and were unconcerned about the accelerated record wear that a conical/spherical tip produce. In the end, your record collection will likely dwarf your equipment in terms of investment -- so protect that investment, and opt for more modern/advanced styli geometries (with the caveat that you may need to spend a little more time and money in optimizing these newer cartridges). Thanks for posting.
I now one a 4point 9 and a quality cart is always going to be the most important part of vinyl playback. Clearly it's a synergy, there is no good cart without a quality tonearm.
@@anadialog I am more in Pierre Lurne’s (Goldmund and Audiomeca designer) camp, who stated (anonymously) “given a basic level of competence in the turntable ( and cartridge, sic), the arm was responsible for 80% of the sound quality produced.” I think that you will (eventually) come to this point of view, given more experimentation and time, and assign the cartridge to the significance of a lung or liver, and reserve the the “heart” (or brain) for the tonearm. :-)
Useful video! Like you, I have a Technics 1200g. I’m using a Dynavector 10x5 currently (swapped from my old Rega P5), standard head shell and firm funk Achromatic. What Cartridge are you using on your 1200g? And which headshell and mat? A subject for another video perhaps - testing upgrades on the 1200g? ;-)
Hi Waybe! Thanks! I am also using a Dynavector, a DV 20X2-L. For the mat check: ruclips.net/video/cs8-9GobWVs/видео.html
For the headshell: ruclips.net/video/ovo7FefZG5c/видео.html
Enjoy!
@starlightgrecording559
Hi Anadialog***
Gerard Stroh!!
About 38 Years ago about 1985 I had A Pioneer PL-400 Quartz Lock Direct Drive Turntable made About 1979 to 1980's and That Was My First Turntable I Got With My Own Money and I had A Grado phono Cartridge My Oldest Brother Got me 1980s and the Sound Was Good But It Would Not Track and The Tonearm Would go up and Down Super Fast Bounce like crazy and and then I Tried it on A Sony Turntable and it did the same Thing and I was Learning About Turntables and I was 22 years old Back in 1983 or 1984 Long time Ago and Now I am 62 years old and will be 63 years old about A Month and I Know More About Turntables and Junk Like That Anadialog***
That's My Stories About Turntables!!!!
Bye From Gerard Stroh****
Magnet cartridge at3600l R.s
I am somewhat new to collecting vinyl, and you could consider me a beginner to everything that has to do with setting up a turntable. The Technics turntable I got had an Audio-Technica 2002 cartridge on it, but I felt I should get a new one. So, I upgraded to an AT95E. What I didn't realize is that not all cartridges just connect to the front of the arm like my last one, and the connectors in the back are too big to fit. I am not sure exactly what to do about it at this point.
I am afraid you need to chance the cart!
ANA[DIA]LOG I think I just need a head shell
so...... it doesn't matter what cable is between the turntable and the preamp
I do believe it is very important.
Can you please explain to me if the nominal tonearm effective mass is calculated including headshell or without? I want to install a 26gr/ 5cu compliance/ 3gr tracking force cartridge to 3012R tonearm. I imagine I have to change the headshell anyway, but without knowing this parameter can not decide which one (btw which is the weight of original headshell?). I need to reach a total 50 effective mass.
Your help would be very much appreciated,
Usually, no, it is not included. You need to add that parameter according to which headshell you have.
@@anadialog SME finaly answrted that headshell is included in 14gr of effective mass. So I have to exlude 7gr of rhe S2R mass for the final decision.
Great!
A few questions if you don't mind. One, I just bought a Music Hall 1.5 turntable. I know they aren't the best but it works for what I need. My dad also gave me his old Technics SL-QX300 still with original box!! first, Can you recommend a good stylus and cartridge for my music hall? Also why is it better to store records on edge rather than laying flat. one would think being flat would lessen the warping. Thank You
Congrats! Welcome to the community! Let me know your max budget for the cart.
Records are stored vertical, and they should really be vertical, because if you stack them horizontal they are going to start to produce what is commonly known as ring-wear. That ruins the jacket and obviously crushes the records at the bottom. Remember that records have a recession for the label so that makes an uneven surface that warps if horizontal. Even CDs should be stored vertical.
@@anadialog Thanks for the reply. Maybe around 200$ if possible.
How about a Grado Prestige Gold 3 or a classic Denon DL-103?
When it comes to the capacity for the MM system, you shouldn't forget the approx. 100 pF (Technics SL-1210 MK2) of the connection cable.
Hello!
I got a new Hana SL cartridge.
Do you think Schiit Mani phono amp would fit?
George
Well, with that kind of quality you should invest a little more like the Black Cube SE II. Congrats for the great cart!
Does total tonearm mass include the counter weight?
Yes, everything, counterweight included!
I see your program in RUclips
I am looking to upgrade my Scott turn table with a cartridge. I have an integrated Amp and i was wondering how input sensitivity played into this equation. Mine has a sensitivity of “Phono MM: 2.5mV” is this something i need to pay attention to when buying a moving magnet cartridge and if so what do i need to look for?
If you are using and planning to get a MM cartridge and have a MM phono preamp, you won't have problems. You may have some issues when you get a very low output MC or, rarely, MM cartridge. That needs a good amount of gain and quality electronics to amplify nicely the subtle signal coming from the cart.
In any case, if your amp shows an input sensitivity of 2.5mV, that means that the MM cart should have at least that sensitivity or higher. More is better.
@@anadialog Ok. That helps alot!
How well would the VM540ML mate with the tonearm on my Yamaha PX-3 turntable or would the VM740ML be a better match? Appreciate any help its all a little confusing 😂
So how much would I realistically have to spend for a preamp turntable and cartridge to be pleased and want to actually use it. LOOK, don't give me the "well it depends on........" I know, I'm talking top of the proverbial curve here. Just a round about figure. Notice I didn't mention speakers.
For a decent audiophile setup I would say around 700/800$
@@anadialog For a preamp, turntable, and cartridge?
You can go up, obviously, but also down from that....but that would be a good compromise for a budget quality trio.
@@anadialog I don't think for $1000 you can get a setup to encourage people to sway to vinyl over digital.
Thank you for the great videos. I need help picking a cartridge for a soon to be purchased new turntable (tech 1200G). I will be spending the majority of my budget on the table. I am looking for a cartridge in the $400 to at most $600 range. I was thinking Nagaoka MP300. Based on reviews of HiViNyws channel. My audio dealer suggested a Sumiko Evii or EVIII Any ideas!
As you probabile know, I have that precise turntable. The Mp300 is an excellent choice. I have a MC Dynavector 20X2L and it sound great. My favorite are the Lyra carts but they are very expensive. The choice also depends from your phono preamp...
I’m using a Schiit Mani phono preamp. Working on limited budget. I’m getting the table by selling off 3 of my old Mcintosh amps. I expect to upgrade cartridges and phono pre amp over time. Wanted to get as good of table as I could afford. Can’t do a lot of cartridge listening test at the dealer(s) as I live 4 hours away from any good HI FI stores. Counting on reviews and recommendations for a starting point. Again I like your channel. I’m getting a lot out of it in my quest for better sound!
A great quest! Don't think I am a snob or that I do not give value to money but if you are getting that nice turntable and one of those nice cartridge at a certain point you must upgrade that phonopreamp. Otherwise you are going to get a bottle effect, high quality at the source with a compression at the end...but I do understand that all this is done in steps, I did the same...just don't stop at the Mani...!
Your in no way a snob! I appreciate your feedback and agree the mani will need to be replaced at some point in time. But, it does current sound better then the built in phono preamp in my preamp. We all build our systems with in our personal budgets overtime. I’m very happy I’m able to get this turntable. I know others will not be able to afford this or similar tables. I also know there are tables and equipment I’ll never have as well. I did find a review from Michael Fremer where he compared the Nagaoka to the Sumiko; this information, your feedback and other research is leading me toward the Nagaoka. Thanks!
:-)
So, what would happen if the cartridge capacitance doesn't match the pre amp's?
Would it work but with suboptimal quality? Or would it be heavily distorted? Would it burst into flames? What would happen in such scenario?
(Also, EXCELENT VIDEO)
Well you loose some frequencies and the music is flatter...
ohh, I see; good to know. Thanks pal.
and again - Excelent video
I'm fundamentally not understanding something. I get that you record a sound onto a record and it leaves little pits in the shape of a waveform. Great. How then does those little resin plastic pits in the shape of a waveform then spit out the sound of The Beatles and not just some random screeing warble sound that goes up and down in amplitude? How is the music in the pits? I get how it makes the shape into the record. I don't get how then just a waveform in plastic (or pits in a CD) becomes a recreation of the exact music and not some random sound when played back.
Then magic of analog music! It's not that simple...your description seems more that of a CD! I will make an example through another question. How can a loudspeaker produce different types of sounds and music, when it's basically doing the same movements? It's not like a digital file that is being red by something...the music is analogically reproduced by changing the pressure and the speed of the drivers based on the frequency of the signal. Something similar going on the grooves. Each groove is created by a micro movements of the cutting head based on the frequencies of the signal.. et voila! Magic! Even our vocal cords do something like that...millions of sounds from the same piece of...meat!
@@anadialog yes, I understand that. But you're not explaining it what I'm asking. Slow down and think about my question. :) . A recording on a record is just an etched waveform in plastic. In your mind zoom down to the microscopic level of the record and see the groove cut into the plastic. The music was "burned" onto the record, you are looking at what the final waveform looked like, rendered in plastic. But how does a record player cartridge pick up "Abby Road" from just a waveform in plastic? Why doesn't it just sound like a random noise that goes up and down with the waveform?
@@Audfile because those waves cut into the vinyl correspond in their shape to exactly that frequency, that soundwave etc. The cartridge follows that precise shape and those precise MOVEMENTS of the stylus are transformed into the corresponding eletrical signal (the soundwave is back) thanks to the magnets or coils or iron or crystal etc. inside!
Excellent learning ! Thanks
Can you just tell me...Dual ULM tonearm from a 701, with a Shure V15 Type RS matched with a NAD preamp. Am I good? How about the ULM tonearm from a Dual CS5000 with same configuration...am I good?
hold on a minute, some of these calculations are exactly what im doing for my electrical qualifications lol. resonance frequency and stuff like that, q factor and bandwith etc
hi....you always come up with very informative videos. since you have a great deal of knowledge and experience I would like to seek your advice on, well, cleaning records. it's usually hot and humid here and since many of my records were bought second hand, they have a lot of fungus....white patches that diminish when washed (but never go away) and return when kept unplayed for some months. Besides I bought a new record a couple of months ago tha t had too much of lint and now that I have washed it, it's seems to have accumulated sediment in the groove that produces a hush hush like sound. Damage done, but is there any way out? Ive stopped washing records and my old ones have got some serious fungi infestation going on. It's really humid here in Calcutta! What to do? Please help!!!
Hi Roy! Sorry for the late response but your problem isn't easy. I am afraid that the only way is to use 'aggressive' vinyl cleaning solutions to remove all bacteria in order to prevent further fungus growing. Another possible solution, but I cannot be certain, is that of using a professional machine for clenaing. That should relly remove all bacteria and have perfeclty clean vinyl at that point. This is one of the best and 'cheapest' solutions avaiulable (don't get me wrong, it is expensive but compared to other this one is very very good and it costs much less than other simialr machines): kirmussaudio.com/
Hope this helps!
thank you ....😊😊😊you rock sir! you sure do!!!
Allergies are a bitch
Where small magnet in cartridge l made cartridge
I have an old Rega RP 1 TT . I wish to upgrade, I understood the 3 aspect to look into. The cartridge ..the preamp …the tone arm …. I am not sure about the stock components for these aspect with RP1 ….I only know that the cartridge is a carbon make … conical…. But tone arm…no idea …if my choice of cartridge would need a change in the tone arm….I am on budget … so can’t the ambitious to go for MC cartridge …. You gave nice examples of preamp and cartridges to explain the technical points that are required for choosing the item … in my scenarios, can you sum up and tell me which preamp and the applicable cartridge that I can go about to get significant Sonal performance w.r.t its own stock reference parameters …
*DAMN ... it is not so easy TASK .... but is doable !!!!* :o))
Thank U 4 your wonderful advice.
I already put this video in my FAVORITES folder !!!!
Very helpful. Not too technical at all.
Thanks!
For moving coil cartridge the phono stage is low noise. Moving coil cartridges are not weak signal but a low output signal. Because moving coil cartridges have low voltage but High current. As for cost there are great moving coil cartridges that start about five to six hundred dollars
I recommend the AT150mlx and Goldring 1022x, Goldring Elite And m100 zyx for technics sl1200 mk x to x GR G and 3MD
Oh! And the ATOC9 3
Basically with capacitance since my 2m blue is between 150-300 that means I need to fall in between those numbers with my preamp, rca cable and tone arm wiring?
Yes, but I think you just need to check cartridge and phono pre-amp...the rest will obviously introduce a change in the final value but most probably not that relevant...in the end the lengtu of these cables are very small....
Thanks my Lounge LCR MK3 has 120pf capacitance and the cartridge falls between 150-300pf. I am going to measure the cables capacitance to make sure I didn't go over the 300pf since my cable is 4.5ft long.
I ordered the schitt manj preamp. And have a nagaoka110 cartridge they say they are a great combo together I disagree with you on one thing not so much the tonearm what matching a good cartridge with a good preamp is more important but that'just my opinion