Faulty Cartridge?

[BSilviu]

Hi guys,

I owned a Rega Planar 3 with Rega Carbon cartridge. As phono I have Rega Fono MM mk3, Revox B250 amplifier and ATC SCM 11 speakers.
After a while I upgraded the cartridge to Rega Exact. Sound was much improved, also I had to turn down the volume as it was much louder at the same volume that I used with Rega Carbon. Unfortunately I had to send back the Rega Exact cartridge as it was plagued with channel imbalance.

Fast forward to nowadays. Last week I bought a Linn Majik, Linn Majik Tonearm + Linn Adikt cartridge.
The rest of the setup is still the same. First thing that I noticed: The sound is not much better than Rega + Rega Carbon.(Yes, I am comparing to Carbon cartridge).
I understand that I'm being subjective here. But that aside, another thing that puzzles me: At the same volume level, is as loud as Rega.

I had high expectations, even a better sound than Rega Planar 3 + Rega Exact.

It is possible that my Linn Adikt is faulty? I mention that the cartrige is a demo. The dealer assured me that it has less than 50 hours. And I believe him. He also will send me another stylus for the Adikt.
What's your opinion guys?

 

[doctor fuse]

My first guess is that you haven't set up the Linn (and perhaps even the Rega?) in a suitable way (level, stable, no vibrations, away from the speakers, etc).

I have never had a Linn LP12, but I imagine it is like my Thorens suspended decks, on steroids. I have a 90s Planar 3, and a Thorens TD160 is a much better turntable, even without the sexy RB300 tonearm. So my logic dictates that your Linn should trounce your Rega.

Have you adjusted the suspension properly? That is supposed to be a bit of a headache, but absolutely important to get the deck to sing.

Let's rule out set up, and then go from there.

 

[BSilviu]

My first guess is that you haven't set up the Linn (and perhaps even the Rega?) in a suitable way (level, stable, no vibrations, away from the speakers, etc).

I have never had a Linn LP12, but I imagine it is like my Thorens suspended decks, on steroids. I have a 90s Planar 3, and a Thorens TD160 is a much better turntable, even without the sexy RB300 tonearm. So my logic dictates that your Linn should trounce your Rega.

Have you adjusted the suspension properly? That is supposed to be a bit of a headache, but absolutely important to get the deck to sing.

Let's rule out set up, and then go from there.

The Linn was set by the Linn dealer. The suspension is okay. There are no interference from the speakers.

But that aside, it is normal to have the same loudness from both cartridges?(Carbon and Adikt). There's a big output difference between them - 4.0 mV.

 

[doctor fuse]

Hmmm, that is strange. Your Linn Adikt and Rega Exact, and my Rega Bias, all have roughly the same output (about 7mV). My Rega Bias has a much higher output than any of my other cartridges, and I definitely have to adjust the volume noticeably when I use it. You should be noticing a difference in volume between the Adikt and Carbon. I am just going by what I read on the internet about the Carbon, which states it is 2.5mV.

I can't think of why the output level should seem the same. I apologize for asking, but are you sure you haven't mixed up the Exact and Carbon?

 

[BSilviu]

Hmmm, that is strange. Your Linn Adikt and Rega Exact, and my Rega Bias, all have roughly the same output (about 7mV). My Rega Bias has a much higher output than any of my other cartridges, and I definitely have to adjust the volume noticeably when I use it. You should be noticing a difference in volume between the Adikt and Carbon. I am just going by what I read on the internet about the Carbon, which states it is 2.5mV.

I can't think of why the output level should seem the same. I apologize for asking, but are you sure you haven't mixed up the Exact and Carbon?

Dr Fuse,
Thanks so much for your reply.

Until last week I used my Rega Planar 3 with Rega Carbon Cartridge. For a brief period of time I used also Rega Exact. The first thing, I had to adjust the volume, as it was MUCH louder. Also, I was blown away. The difference between Carbon and Exact was HUGE. Night and day. Unfortunately, after 2 days I returned the Exact because one channel was much louder than the other. So I switched back to my Rega Carbon cartridge and I used it ever since.

Now I bought this new Linn Majik with Majik Tonearm and Linn Adikt cart.
The first thing that I noticed was the sound quality. More or less is equal to the Carbon. No exaggeration here.Maybe, just maybe, a little bit better bass on the Linn. But that might be placebo also. I switched to the Revox's phono. No difference whatsoever.


Then it popped through my mind: Why the volume is the same between these two? One is rated as 2.5 mV the other one 6.5 mV. That makes me think that there might be a problem with the Adikt.

I talked to my dealer. He told me that the cartridge is properly fitted, no worries about that. He also stated that the cartridge has at most 50 hours usage . Basically the cartridge is new. After a long discussion he said that he will send me a new stylus. If the problem persists he'll try to visit me in 3 weeks.

 

[doctor fuse]

Other than the weird "same volume" phenomenon, do you not hear an improvement in sound with the LP12?

I imagine the Planar 3 has improved a lot since the 90s, but I can't believe it can rival the Linn. But maybe it is that good? Rega sure has its fans.

My Planar 3 suffered from a noisy motor and bad wow and flutter, so I cannibalized the beautiful arm and now the poor skeleton sits, disheveled and unused. I should find someone to give it to.

 

[BSilviu]

Other than the weird "same volume" phenomenon, do you not hear an improvement in sound with the LP12?

I imagine the Planar 3 has improved a lot since the 90s, but I can't believe it can rival the Linn. But maybe it is that good? Rega sure has its fans.

My Planar 3 suffered from a noisy motor and bad wow and flutter, so I cannibalized the beautiful arm and now the poor skeleton sits, disheveled and unused. I should find someone to give it to.

Nope,
As I said, the sound of the Rega with Carbon is somehow equal to the linn's Adikt.
Rega + exact > Linn's adikt.

I'll report as soon as I switch the stylus.

 

[doctor fuse]

Sounds like you should return the Linn! You are a Rega fan, I believe.

Just think what the Planar 3 will sound like with a better cartridge than the Exact!

 

[BSilviu]

Sounds like you should return the Linn! You are a Rega fan, I believe.

Just think what the Planar 3 will sound like with a better cartridge than the Exact!

Why would I buy a Linn deck if I am a Rega fan?