G'day all, yesterday whilst doing cartridge overhang investigations in between a million 'other' things during the day, I took the opportunity to do my very best to set up the overhang/ alignment on my 2M Red as accurately as possible.
I think it was successful as there is no real IGD evident now. Accurate accurate overhang/ alignment with the 2M Red seems particularly critical, especially at the inner grooves.
Interestingly enough, I also took the opportunity to compare the 2M Red 'head to head' with the M97xE, the 2M Red loaded at 47 k and low capacitance (maybe too low capacitance), and the M97xE at 62 k and low capacitance (both low at about 150 picofarads). Two separate DIY ESP P06 phono stages were used for the evaluations.
The comparison was interesting. The 2M Red clearly plays considerably 'louder' than the M97xE (higher cartridge output), however sonically I still preferred the M97xE! Although the 2M Red is a 'crisp' sounding cartridge (a slightly rising upper treble), on the same material, the M97xE's treble was not lacking at all at 62k, but if it was loaded at 47 k it might have been. :scratch2:
Overall, the M97xE sounded smoother, better balanced and less fatiguing, whereas the 2M Red was a bit too 'in your face' and upfront for my liking. One day I'll have to try the effect of more input shunt capacitance with the 2M Red, as that might be interesting. Regards, Felix aka catman.
I think it was successful as there is no real IGD evident now. Accurate accurate overhang/ alignment with the 2M Red seems particularly critical, especially at the inner grooves.
Interestingly enough, I also took the opportunity to compare the 2M Red 'head to head' with the M97xE, the 2M Red loaded at 47 k and low capacitance (maybe too low capacitance), and the M97xE at 62 k and low capacitance (both low at about 150 picofarads). Two separate DIY ESP P06 phono stages were used for the evaluations.
The comparison was interesting. The 2M Red clearly plays considerably 'louder' than the M97xE (higher cartridge output), however sonically I still preferred the M97xE! Although the 2M Red is a 'crisp' sounding cartridge (a slightly rising upper treble), on the same material, the M97xE's treble was not lacking at all at 62k, but if it was loaded at 47 k it might have been. :scratch2:
Overall, the M97xE sounded smoother, better balanced and less fatiguing, whereas the 2M Red was a bit too 'in your face' and upfront for my liking. One day I'll have to try the effect of more input shunt capacitance with the 2M Red, as that might be interesting. Regards, Felix aka catman.
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