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Post by DavidR on May 24, 2019 11:21:31 GMT -5
Italy seems to be the place for good deals on them. That's where I got mine. I think the conversion came to around $130 USD while they were going for $250 and up here in the States.
You do have to worry about the elastomer that holds the stylus hardening on cartridges. There is a solvent you can add a drop on it to soften it up. I can't remember which solvent. Something that can happen to any cartridge.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on May 24, 2019 11:43:12 GMT -5
What you say is true.... although the reasoning behind it is more complicated than you may think.
The combination of the compliance of the cartridge itself, and the combined mass of the cartridge and arm, do result in a natural resonant frequency. And what that resonant frequency turns out to be can indeed have a major effect on the sound. However, it's NOT "because one resonance sounds better than the other". That resonance is a virtually inescapable limitation or flaw in how the cartridge/tonearm system works. (The ideal combination would be perfectly damped - and so would be unaffected by any resonance at all.)
However, because we never manage to successfully eliminate it, the next best thing is to arrange for it to occur at a frequency where it is causes the fewest problems. - if it was at too high a frequency it would either be directly audible or have audible effects on the response of the cartridge - if it was at too low a frequency, it might be likely to be easily excited by record warp, which could actually cause the arm to jump off the record, and would produce audible artifacts long before then
So, yes....
- every arm/cartridge combination will have a resonant frequency. - and some arms, cartridges, or combinations will simply be more sensitive to it than others - and, to be more specific, some combinations will be more sensitive to resonances that fall within certain frequency ranges than others (The upshot being that you would prefer to choose a combination whose combined resonance "doesn't fall at a frequency that causes that combination problems") - the resonant frequency is determined by a combination of the moving mass of the tonearm, the mass of the cartridge, and the compliance of the cartridge
That frequency range is pretty much the most benign one that is easily achieved. (Pushing that frequency far lower, or far higher, might also work reasonably well - but simply isn't practical in this sort of system.)
And, unless you like doing lots of math, and still taking chances to some degree, you're safer choosing from among cartridges that are known to work well with the turntable and tonearm you have.
Nick, Cartridge/Tonearm combinations have a natural or resonant frequency. Vinylengine has a calculator. You need to know the mass of the tonearm (my rb220 is 11g), the mass of the cartridge (and fasteners) and the compliance of the cartridge. These items will spit out a frequency. This calculation needs to result in a value of 8hz - 12hz for a combination, or it will not sound good. Also with the Rega you'll need to know the height fron end of the tip to top of the cart. Rega carts are 14mm. Most others are larger and will require schims to be put under the tonearm for proper setup. All this information is not always readily available. As I have been looking for a cartridge for my P2 I have just found all this out.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on May 24, 2019 11:52:01 GMT -5
I would be REALLY careful about applying a solvent, or any liquid, to the internal workings of a phono cartridge. The characteristics of the internal components of a phono cartridge are quite critical. The "squishiness" of the elastomer parts is part of what determines things like resonance and frequency response. (So making it either higher or lower than it should be, even a tiny bit, could cause a huge difference in sound... or worse.)
You also run the risk of dissolving critical parts entirely - or causing them to break down over time.
And, of course, anything that leaves any sort of residue risks "gumming up the works".
I would REALLY avoid applying liquids to your cartridge unless specifically approved by the manufacturer. Italy seems to be the place for good deals on them. That's where I got mine. I think the conversion came to around $130 USD while they were going for $250 and up here in the States. You do have to worry about the elastomer that holds the stylus hardening on cartridges. There is a solvent you can add a drop on it to soften it up. I can't remember which solvent. Something that can happen to any cartridge.
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Post by brubacca on May 24, 2019 13:22:57 GMT -5
Found some information on that Acutex in the database from Vinyl Engine:
Type Moving Magnet Output Voltage 3.5 mV Freq Response 20Hz - 35kHz Tracking Force 1.3 - 2.1 g Mass 4 g Channel Separation 30 dB Channel Balance 1 dB Load Impedance 500-47k Ω Output Impedance 710 Ω Stylus Stylus Tip Shibata STR
Dynamic Compliance 42 x 10-6cm/Dyne
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Post by DavidR on May 24, 2019 16:13:11 GMT -5
I would be REALLY careful about applying a solvent, or any liquid, to the internal workings of a phono cartridge. The characteristics of the internal components of a phono cartridge are quite critical. The "squishiness" of the elastomer parts is part of what determines things like resonance and frequency response. (So making it either higher or lower than it should be, even a tiny bit, could cause a huge difference in sound... or worse.)
You also run the risk of dissolving critical parts entirely - or causing them to break down over time.
And, of course, anything that leaves any sort of residue risks "gumming up the works".
I would REALLY avoid applying liquids to your cartridge unless specifically approved by the manufacturer. It was a thread that I read on maybe AudioKarma. It was a drop added to the rubber base at the end of the stylus (not internal) that have 'stiffened up'. Since I don't remember the solvent and don't have that issue with my cartridge and along with your warning I won't be doing it. I suppose the OP was looking at it as if it is broken/stiffened then what do you have to lose. I really don't recall any specifics and it may have been regarding a Sonus Blue cartridge.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 27, 2019 20:15:53 GMT -5
New office setup! Hits way above its price point! Surprised the heck out of me! Very happy. fisto fallout 3
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 1, 2019 12:58:01 GMT -5
I’d like your opinion my friends, How would you configure a single sub to handle two different and separate preamps? I’ll use the same sub for HT and my tube two channel. For HT I do have a second sub to fire for effect! 🙄
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Post by DavidR on Jun 1, 2019 19:21:14 GMT -5
First you'll need some hi-tech switch gear as pictured below
What type of hook-up wires/cable will you be using?
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 1, 2019 23:51:24 GMT -5
First you'll need some hi-tech switch gear as pictured below
What type of hook-up wires/cable will you be using?
Mostly Audioquest, Zu and Media bridge. The switch I sent back had a common ground which one of my amps didn’t like. So Lloyd is going to change the configuration. Thats our best guess until he looks at it. He just received it today. It makes using all of my gear in any configuration much more fun.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 6, 2019 16:59:36 GMT -5
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Post by novisnick on Jun 6, 2019 17:31:39 GMT -5
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 6, 2019 20:29:49 GMT -5
New office setup! Hits way above its price point! Surprised the heck out of me! Very happy. fisto fallout 3Very cool... that Liquid Spark is supposed to be very nice.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 6, 2019 20:31:25 GMT -5
I'd def try out some of those phono pre-amps to see if they really are better than say the Emo XPS-1...
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 6, 2019 23:37:11 GMT -5
New office setup! Hits way above its price point! Surprised the heck out of me! Very happy. fisto fallout 3Very cool... that Liquid Spark is supposed to be very nice. I was rocking out today with the Sennheiser and Verum 1’s today at work! Its not my home system but its pretty damn good!
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 7, 2019 0:01:43 GMT -5
I'd def try out some of those phono pre-amps to see if they really are better than say the Emo XPS-1... Side by side for sure!
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 7, 2019 3:39:43 GMT -5
I don't want to start you down the headphone trail too... but there are some amazing and impressive cans out there these days. (Says the enabler -- I purchased these iSine 10s and had them shipped first to my brother, who decided he wanted them. Then purchased a second pair and shipped to a coworker who decided he wanted a pair too. You can get the BT cables for $50. )
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 7, 2019 22:28:04 GMT -5
New office setup! Hits way above its price point! Surprised the heck out of me! Very happy. fisto fallout 3Very cool... that Liquid Spark is supposed to be very nice. That volume dial is about all those cans can take! Plenty of power for sure! 😁🎶🎶🎶
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 23, 2019 17:32:38 GMT -5
Today is my External hard drive backup day! Defragmentation and a new drive being put into the system. Older drives haven’t failed yet! And I’m not going to wait till they do. Thats Always a BAD time to do it! LOL Proactive is always the best remedy. 😁
A little work today and two backup drives will prevent hours of ripping and extra work! Opps! A dirty 4 letter word! 🤭
Isn’t it time YOU did the same? ✌️
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Jun 27, 2019 23:19:27 GMT -5
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Jun 27, 2019 23:35:22 GMT -5
I listened to many preamps and the least important thing to me was the price. Most important was sound quality. The Lehmann Audio Decade proudly now resides as a permanent part of my system. It does everything well and as picky as I am I have no complaints.
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