JVC QL-Y5F w/ Sumiko Songbird low output MC?

[DeanL]

How about the LOW output
Sumiko Songbird Moving Coil Cartridge?

For ref be using with a JVC QL-Y5F turntable going into a Denon AU 320 step up, going into a Soundsmith MMP3 mk II phono pre.

 

[Buck Rogers]

Nice cartridge! Your SUT should match well...

I like the high quality of Sumiko, Owned a bunch of them.

 

[DeanL]

All think the Sumiko would play nice with the JVCs arm?

 

[seely]

All think the Sumiko would play nice with the JVCs arm?

Which arm does your Y5F have?

 

[DeanL]

S shaped

 

[mrwood200]

How about the LOW output Sumiko Songbird Moving Coil Cartridge?
For ref be using with a JVC QL-Y5F turntable going into a Denon AU 320 step up, going into a Soundsmith MMP3 mk II phono pre.

Meh. I like your other equipment much better!
I have not heard the Songbird. I ran a BPS for a number of years & enjoyed it v.much. That said, $1100 for nude .3 ellip. I want more. YMMV.

All think the Sumiko would play nice with the JVCs arm?

IF we proceed with Sumiko, I think we are going to count on the servo arm doing some magic.
" The approximate effective mass of the tonearm of JVC QL-Y5F is 17 grams (the mass of the headshell is 11 grams)" Sumiko compliance ~21?
Apparently, the arm can handle high compliance. I would have to do some more research, probably consider lighter headshell.

 

[DeanL]

Thank you. Is there a lighter headshell I could get for it out there?

 

[mrwood200]

Is there a lighter headshell I could get for it out there?

Yes, but.....I'd ask that you do some additional JVC/servo arm research. I am unclear if the electro damping is dependent upon OEM headshell loading.........

At face value, I view the arm as a bit heavy for this cartridge. But these JVC/Denon/Sony servo arm are supposed to be v.good and can work with a variety of cartridges.
I have no experience with these arms (but would like too!). I can envision that these arm work within X range; not sure 11g headshell is the 'sweet spot' for electro damping.

Good thing - easy enough to check with test record. LOT of headshells under 11g. As long as we are going to do this experiment, let's go light. IMHO Lightest/cheapest/readily available = Analogis HS-13
Rough math; estimating tool only:

More good news - informed user w/lighter headshell (quote taken from another thread; Opus 3 compliance = 20):

Lucky you! I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said, but I really love the QL Y5F. Mine came with a Grado F3+ cart that sounded great, my AT 14sa sounded great as well, as did my AT VM 530EN, and now the Grado Opus 3 I've got on it sounds better yet. These TT's are not picky about cartridges. I've found setup can be tricky, you want to really spend some time getting the zero balance perfect in order for the electronic damping to work properly and to it's potential. They also seem to favor lighter cart/headshell combos, my Opus 3 on the stock headshell seemed to take the counterweight close to it's limit, I replaced with a lighter headshell. The VTA adjustment is somewhat limited as well, tall, bulky cartidges may have you at the upper limit of adjustment or ride a little "tail down".

 

[seely]

S shaped

Excellent, rarer from what I've seen. Mine has the S-arm too.

 

[flavio81]

For ref be using with a JVC QL-Y5F turntable going into a Denon AU 320 step up, going into a Soundsmith MMP3 mk II phono pre.

Remember that Victor (JVC) made really interesting, highly advanced cartridges too, you might want to look at ebay for new-old-stock options. Otherwise if the Opus 3 works fine on that tonearm, it would be a great choice. @cafe latte has listened to many, many expensive MC cartridges and rates the Grado Opus highly.

Very nice turntable you have. Dynamic Servo Tracer, how cool is that? Victor didn't mess around! Two of my daily speakers are JVC, the SX-7II and the SX-5. In my opinion Victor made the best sounding japanese speakers (vintage speakers), even better than Yamaha who also did great speakers.

In turntables they also did very very good stuff! They invented CD4 (quadraphonic system) after all, as well as the Shibata stylus and quartz locked turntables, all this means they had a ton of advanced engineers on record cutting and playback topics!

 

[DeanL]

mrwood200 thank you for the detailed answer. But above my level and really don't understand. I'm not too bright lol​

 

[mrwood200]

mrwood200 thank you​

Glad to help. Sorry for any confusion. You are fine to use with existing headshell - no worries.

 

[DeanL]

No apology necessary!

 

[DeanL]

I'm also up for other MC cart suggestions under $1500. Would prefer something still in production, and no overhang issues (?). I do have a spare Denon step up for MC.