what are you listening to?

NeverSatisfied

NeverSatisfied

Chief Journeyman
#19,849
Joined
Nov 3, 2021
Messages
916
Location
Houston Texas
Tagline
Play the Game, don’t be the Game
#19,849
Since my ears weren’t ringing and it was crappy weather I decided to do a little cartridge testing. One of the nice things about linear trackers is that setup is relatively easy. I have been collecting head shells and vintage carts for a while and wanted to see which ones I liked. Using the same TT, system and record, I swapped carts in and out multiple times trying to determine their characteristics and overall performance. To my surprise none were dogs, all sounded pretty good and a couple were really nice. Like an idiot I got so wrapped up in playing with them that I didn’t take any notes, just picked my favorite three and went with those on the three systems. Not very scientific but sure was fun. I did drag out the old Realistic sound meter to make sure each was playing at the same amplitude, a little increase in volume can make one sound more dynamic than another. A47915DE-DF50-4B7C-A97B-96C2FD763E91.jpeg 50EADA49-4722-4824-A9C1-CE0E8E3BEB84.jpeg
 
NeverSatisfied

NeverSatisfied

Chief Journeyman
#19,851
Joined
Nov 3, 2021
Messages
916
Location
Houston Texas
Tagline
Play the Game, don’t be the Game
#19,851
J!m said:
Gettin' all scientifical n stuff.

So... What were your winners? (and which were the losers?)
Click to expand...
No real losers, could live with all of them. I only have a dozen or so carts, picked six I already liked and then narrowed down to three.
The winners of this go round
Grado MF3
AT 12Sa
AT 13Ea
The didn’t win this go round
Pioneer 600A (original NOS that shipped with the PL-L1000 and is damn good)
Shure TM1S (liked the least)
Shure M55E (pretty good just lacked a tiny bit of bass)
I have a few higher end carts but they are being saved for the Micro project or are on other TT’s.
 
Elite-ist

Elite-ist

Administrator, (and straight-up pimp stick!)
Staff member
#19,855
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
9,930
#19,855
NeverSatisfied said:
Since my ears weren’t ringing and it was crappy weather I decided to do a little cartridge testing. One of the nice things about linear trackers is that setup is relatively easy. I have been collecting head shells and vintage carts for a while and wanted to see which ones I liked. Using the same TT, system and record, I swapped carts in and out multiple times trying to determine their characteristics and overall performance. To my surprise none were dogs, all sounded pretty good and a couple were really nice. Like an idiot I got so wrapped up in playing with them that I didn’t take any notes, just picked my favorite three and went with those on the three systems. Not very scientific but sure was fun. I did drag out the old Realistic sound meter to make sure each was playing at the same amplitude, a little increase in volume can make one sound more dynamic than another. View attachment 62646 View attachment 62647
Click to expand...
I managed to buy a few more NOS cartridges in the past few weeks, but they are ones I already have used and sought as future replacements on my turntables.

And the Realistic Sound level Meter is a fun gadget:

0adbfe85-740e-4456-afa0-df9d2efa926c_zps9mbgikkd.jpg

Nando.
 
J!m

J!m

Veteran and General Yakker
#19,856
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
10,915
Location
Connecticut
Tagline
BOT
#19,856
We did a show up at RPI one time and the rule was not to exceed 100dB at the board.

They had one of these same meters for determining that.

I was able to exceed 100dB belching, after eating the cafeteria pizza there in the 48 seconds I had to do so before getting ready to play.

We were loud.

The band was called "Event Horizon" (prog rock) and I even got myself a concert shirt for playing the gig... I wonder where that is now?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top