Cartridge compliance on a Denon/Sony servo-controlled tonearm?

[b-rider]

Wondering how important it is to match cart compliance with the tonearm, if the tonearm is a servo-controlled arm like, for example, a Denon DP-52F, or a Sony PS-X600, or JVC Q(?)-series?

 

[patient_ot]

What cart are you looking to mount up? For most carts probably not a big concern. Even with the fancy damping, I'd probably still avoid anything at the extremes. Most carts made today are within the broad range of medium compliance.

 

[b-rider]

Most carts made today are within the broad range of medium compliance.

Thanks for confirming this, I was looking at an AT95E with an alloy-tube cantilever because they're cheap, and it's initial purpose would be to troubleshoot a Denon TT.

 

[patient_ot]

Thanks for confirming this, I was looking at an AT95E with an alloy-tube cantilever because they're cheap, and it's initial purpose would be to troubleshoot a Denon TT.

It should work fine.

 

[dcrandon]

Two years late, but I can tell you from my experience with the Sony Biotracer that compliance does make a difference. When I used my PSX-600 Biotracer with my Shure V15 Type V MR with the brush down, it would do terribly with warps. It would just float over a dip, and crash into a rise. If I raised the brush, it would do fine.

 

[ripblade]

The brush on the V-MR doesn't change compliance, rather, it damps resonance. This damping action probably interfered with the Biotracer's own damping system. Lifting the brush let the arm do it's job without interference.

BTW, the Shure V-MR is a very good match with the X-600 IMO, both in tracking and sound quality.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Depends on whether the electronics are functioning correctly, or not.

 

[mr_petit]

Biotracers and other servo controlled arms are always bad with warps. The servo control adds damping, and that automatically means the arm follows warps more slowly, resulting in higher VTF on the up ramp and lower VTF on the down ramp. If the electronic damping is too much, or the down ramp too steep, the stylus can loose contact with the groove.
Adding a system like the audio technica AT666 vacuum platter can solve those warps. However, that platter is 9,5mm thick, so a VTA adjustable arm (usually set to it's top position) and removing the rubber mat is a desirable setting if you want the SRA to remain within reasonable specs.