what are you listening to?

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.jpeg50EADA49-4722-4824-A9C1-CE0E8E3BEB84.jpeg
 
J!m said:
Gettin' all scientifical n stuff.

So... What were your winners? (and which were the losers?)
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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.
 
Are those all with their OEM stylus, or are any of them replacements/upgrades?
 
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 62646View 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.
 
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?
 
Art Blakey
February and May 1961
I love the soundstage on this album. Lee Morgan was 23 years old on this album, he and his trumpet own the left side of the stage, and Wayne Shorter on Sax owns the Right-hand side of the stage, and the interplay between them throughout the album are amazing.
Blakey on drums and Jymie Merrit on Bass are right of center, and Pianist Bobby Timmons is center stage.
It is a very well-engineered and recorded album. Another recording to be enjoyed through the WOPL’d 700b !
Art Blakey Roots and Herbs.jpgArt Blakey Roots and Herbs 1.jpg
 
Vintage 700b said:
Art Blakey
February and May 1961
I love the soundstage on this album. Lee Morgan was 23 years old on this album, he and his trumpet own the left side of the stage, and Wayne Shorter on Sax owns the Right-hand side of the stage, and the interplay between them throughout the album are amazing.
Blakey on drums and Jymie Merrit on Bass are right of center, and Pianist Bobby Timmons is center stage.
It is a very well-engineered and recorded album. Another recording to be enjoyed through the WOPL’d 700b !
View attachment 62767View attachment 62768
Click to expand...
I'm going to find a copy. Thanks!
 
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