Hello.
Let's take a coherent real-world product line like the Ortofon 2M series. Above the Blue, it appears that the steps of improvement are focused on the high frequencies. This seems typical for any line of cartridges.
But the music that I listen to, vintage classical and doo-wop, ain't got no high frequencies.
So it's reasonable for me to presume that I'm better off without a cartridge that would only convey the scratches and dents better?
Let's take a coherent real-world product line like the Ortofon 2M series. Above the Blue, it appears that the steps of improvement are focused on the high frequencies. This seems typical for any line of cartridges.
But the music that I listen to, vintage classical and doo-wop, ain't got no high frequencies.
So it's reasonable for me to presume that I'm better off without a cartridge that would only convey the scratches and dents better?
There's a lot more to it than just better high frequency reproduction. What turntable/arm/phono do you have?
jeff
jeff
No, it is not reasonable. All cartridges must minimally reproduce the audible range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. The quality goes through the way they do it, the best ones make it "flat" and will extend their response in highs, but there is much more than that, as they already told you.
Classical music has highs, look at this chart.
What kind of music is doo-wop ? 🤔
Attachments
'Vintage classical' music has fundamentals up to at least 9KHz, and overtones octaves above that. Unless you're listening to sources exclusively before about 1947, or you're deaf, you need full range reproduction.
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http://pspatialaudio.com/seventy_eights.htm
" With a good modern cartridge and the right stylus, the frequency-response derived from DECCA Test disc K.1803 (pressed in 1956) is somewhat chastening. It's easy to dismiss these pre-vinyl records as "stone-age", but we obtained a frequency response within ±1dB from 30Hz to 14kHz! These results were derived using the Phædrus Audio PHLUX cartridge described here and Stereo Lab."
Even old 78 rpm shellac records need a cartridge that reproduces treble.
I inherited some of those records from my father-in-law, and I plan to reproduce, record and upload them to YT for their artistic value.
To do this, purchase a special needle of 78 RPM for a Shure M44C cartridge.
I also got a Lenco B55 in bad shape but it will do the trick.
(My other turntables are only 33 1/3 and 45 Rpm)
Greetings and Happy Holidays
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As long as you enjoy the music and sound and within your budget, you are fine staying with the same cartridge. There's always more in more.... the rabbit hole. If you're pursuing perfection or full spectrum reproduction to extract every details in your recording then you just have to spend more money and time and effort. It can get tiresome... or rewarding.
The thing with higher end styli is they tend to ride the groove in areas that haven't been touched yet. I have records that sounded like a fireplace on a cheap conical styli that after upgrading the stylus to a "vivid line" type, sounded unplayed. The other thing to think of is that better styli tend to use less tracking force so your records won't wear out as fast (as long as the stylus is properly aligned, that is).
The real trick for me is to get an older cartridge like a Stanton 680 and then get an upgraded stylus from LP Gear or the like. You get the performance of a 2M Black for ⅓ the cost.
The real trick for me is to get an older cartridge like a Stanton 680 and then get an upgraded stylus from LP Gear or the like. You get the performance of a 2M Black for ⅓ the cost.
Better, more expensive cartridges, with more refined stylus, offer better tracking. Better tracking translates to cleaner less distorted sound with more stable stereo image. But they all cover full response.
Even low cost carts often sound very good. I have some AT for $50 which i use for old worn out, dirty or yet unknown records. They can sound decent.
I have the Blue and absolutely love it. I picked up the bronze but have had not had a chance to run it yet and due to the time frame between listening to the Blue and Bronze I would not be able to make a fair comparison. Not only that, but I think, and probably most here know, is that getting the arm and cartridge setup properly is the first and most important part.
In this day and age it's hard for vinyl to compete with digital so better just to have fun with a Decca London.🙂
Yeah, digital has really come of age, but many of us old geezers still like to play our records, so it's just not an issue. All the different formats can coexist.🙂
jeff
jeff
I have used cartridges ranging from a few hundred USD to $4,000 USD. I find that the more expensive ones such as my and Ortofon Per Windfeld are MUCH quieter in the groove as well as minimizing the rare click/pop. That said, if the rest of your system is not up to the potentially better SQ and your record cleaning regime is lacking, your money will be wasted.
My recommendation is the Soundsmith Zephyr. I've heard three on three very different systems ranging from inexpensive to very costly and they all have been a significant improvement over some other decent cartridges.
My recommendation is the Soundsmith Zephyr. I've heard three on three very different systems ranging from inexpensive to very costly and they all have been a significant improvement over some other decent cartridges.
Right, the old moving iron Decca Londons have great stereo effects and very rich mid range.
Just did a quick read on this from the page you linked. While I did find the price high (for me), the fact that you can rebuild it basically forever for that 299 price is a very attractive benefit.
I would check in to the company first. It seems small, and the founder is getting up there. Remember Jerry Raskin....
When I was in college, I worked PT at an Olsen's electronics retail store. They'd get their share of "overstock" from wherever the buyers got the stuff from. One day we got a box of phono catridges to put up on display and sell. Various stuff, lots of Shure; pieces folks would die for today. I got to mount and try a variety...
Log story short, each sounded different and had its own SQ character. So there's that aspect; choose a cartridge like you'd choose a speaker - the one that sounds good to you.
Log story short, each sounded different and had its own SQ character. So there's that aspect; choose a cartridge like you'd choose a speaker - the one that sounds good to you.
With phono cartridges, just like with everything else i suppose, there is a law of diminishing returns.
Cheapest carts are junk, avoid those. Then there is category of decent sounding not expensive carts, its a crowded space, plenty there. Then above that, few hundred dollars range, top mm and low mc are best in the hyperbolic curve.
With increasing cost, the benefit will get smaller and smaller. Above certain cost, almost non existent, minuscule.
The non linear relationship of cost and quality return is true for cars, houses, food and so on.
I do have four turntables now, used to have seven. Gave some to my friends.
The one i made myself, from an old akai direct drive motor and old testa arm, and butcher block wood has headshell with t4p, and i have four AT carts, cheap, each with its sound character, for new, dirty scratchy records. But it can sometimes surprise me with great sound. Riaa pre is buggle.
Next table is step up, project1 or some like that, ebay find, with sumiko or microline at. Fed to tube ear riaa pre.
My best table now is 1200 technics with few mc carts, ortofon, at, benz micro. Each cart is already aligned in its headshell for quick swap. Tube ear riaa pre, i got few. Ortofon or at stepups. This is as far as i need to go to satisfy. Lps can sound great, but there is lot to try, swap, tweek, adjust optimize...it takes lot of time, since there is so many options. Which makes it more fun.
And i forgot one more pioneer fully automatic table in the guest room.
Cheers!
Cheapest carts are junk, avoid those. Then there is category of decent sounding not expensive carts, its a crowded space, plenty there. Then above that, few hundred dollars range, top mm and low mc are best in the hyperbolic curve.
With increasing cost, the benefit will get smaller and smaller. Above certain cost, almost non existent, minuscule.
The non linear relationship of cost and quality return is true for cars, houses, food and so on.
I do have four turntables now, used to have seven. Gave some to my friends.
The one i made myself, from an old akai direct drive motor and old testa arm, and butcher block wood has headshell with t4p, and i have four AT carts, cheap, each with its sound character, for new, dirty scratchy records. But it can sometimes surprise me with great sound. Riaa pre is buggle.
Next table is step up, project1 or some like that, ebay find, with sumiko or microline at. Fed to tube ear riaa pre.
My best table now is 1200 technics with few mc carts, ortofon, at, benz micro. Each cart is already aligned in its headshell for quick swap. Tube ear riaa pre, i got few. Ortofon or at stepups. This is as far as i need to go to satisfy. Lps can sound great, but there is lot to try, swap, tweek, adjust optimize...it takes lot of time, since there is so many options. Which makes it more fun.
And i forgot one more pioneer fully automatic table in the guest room.
Cheers!
Peter, the owner and designer, is diligently training the next generation of cartridge gurus. I don't think the same guy that designed the Per Windeld is rebuilding them today since he died a bit ago
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