Quadraphonic set up

Quadrookie

Quadrookie

New Member
Last step of my quadraphonic set up is choosing a cartridge/stylus for my Music Hall MMF-5. Any suggestions?


Current set up:

Pioneer QX-747
4-KG 4’s


I also have two other turntables:

- Pioneer PL-15D II
- Kenwood KD-75F

Maybe one of these would work better in a quadraphonic set up but I have no idea as to what cartridge set up I would need?

Just looking for some input on how to best do this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Quadrookie said:
Last step of my quadraphonic set up is choosing a cartridge/stylus for my Music Hall MMF-5. Any suggestions?


Current set up:

Pioneer QX-747
4-KG 4’s


I also have two other turntables:

- Pioneer PL-15D II
- Kenwood KD-75F

Maybe one of these would work better in a quadraphonic set up but I have no idea as to what cartridge set up I would need?

Just looking for some input on how to best do this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

First: welcome
Second: Quad

When I first stepped into the quagmire of Quad, I heard that your stylus/cart is the most important ingredient... it is true. The AT14s with a cd4 shibata is what is needed. However, Stantons 780q will do, Shure m24h... CD4 discs require the shibata...

Go here:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/quad-cartridge-stylus-suggestions.344490/

I started with a Pio qx-949 and a Stanton ... it was ok. Then I graduated to a Sansui 9001 and an AT shibata, it was really impressive.
Quad takes a lot of effort and money to make right, but it sounds glorious when it's all there.

Any TT with low capacitance wiring will work.
There are many details and nuances in the world of Quad that will make or break the sound... good luck with your endeavor-endeavor-endeavor-endeavor
 
biscuithead said:
First: welcome
Second: Quad

When I first stepped into the quagmire of Quad, I heard that your stylus/cart is the most important ingredient... it is true. The AT14s with a cd4 shibata is what is needed. However, Stantons 780q will do, Shure m24h... CD4 discs require the shibata...

Go here:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/quad-cartridge-stylus-suggestions.344490/

I started with a Pio qx-949 and a Stanton ... it was ok. Then I graduated to a Sansui 9001 and an AT shibata, it was really impressive.
Quad takes a lot of effort and money to make right, but it sounds glorious when it's all there.

Any TT with low capacitance wiring will work.
There are many details and nuances in the world of Quad that will make or break the sound... good luck with your endeavor-endeavor-endeavor-endeavor
Click to expand...

Yes, I’m starting to see that what you’re saying is indeed true! I think that if I get it all right the first time it will not be as fun. At least this way, it gives me something to upgrade right! Thanks for your suggestions and I will continue trudging down the quad road. Good to know I’m not alone in this endeavor-endeavor-endeavor. Thanks again!
 
I have all my sound going thru a Sanyo 3300KA 4-channel receiver. I use the Matrix 2 synthesized quad mode and have found nothing else that matches it... at least to my ears. Don't let the nuances of getting quadraphonic sound right get you down.

Welcome to AK!!
 
Any quality cartridge/table combo will work unless you're into CD4. As a quad newbie, good luck finding any CD4 source without forking over some big bucks. Besides, it's a PITA to set up and calibrate properly. I've got some vinyl and tape here in the format, and frankly, not all that impressed. If you DO decide you need a CD4 capable system, the higher end AT cartridges with shibata tip are the way to go, and you DO need a low capacitance table for the best results. Also helps to have a special test disk to set up and calibrate the signal for best separation and definition.

* I have QS, SQ, CD4, four channel direct, and the Sansui synth modes. Your "matrix" setting might work nice with QS encoded source. I personally leave the system pretty much locked in SQ unless I know for sure it's another format. That also does a nice job of opening up most any stereo material, including adding back channel ambiance.

PS ... the four channel direct loop is killer for an SACD (multi-channel) player. I plug my Oppo into that, and also have an L+R center channel courtesy of a dedicated output on a Carver H9AV.
 
Nice! Appreciate your insight. So if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that any quality table sending a signal to my QX-747 will reproduce a nice four channel sound. The audio source will be designated as quadraphonic QS, SQ, etc... but not CD4. The specs on my receiver indicate that it supports all three formats (QS, SQ & CD4)?

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/qx-747.shtml

If so, I should be able to use the current cartridge/stylus in any of my turntables and my receiver will convert that signal (as long as it is in a quadraphonic format other than CD4) into a four channel signal. If I want to experiment with the CD4 format, I would have to purchase a high end AT cartridge with a Shiibata stylus in order to initially decode that format to my receiver. Am I getting all this? Thanks again for your time.
 
Just to clarify. Any decent table/cartridge combo will pass QS or SQ encoded material as recorded if you're using the proper decoder.

Both QS and SQ encoded material play back perfectly in two channel stereo as well.

Stereo source played back in stereo will of course be ... like ... stereo, eh. ;-}

Any stereo material will be modified with (mostly) high end and mids re-mixed with some sent to the rear channel amps if you use any of the dedicated quad modes. How well it works depends on both the material and the quad chip set in your receiver. Any synth modes on your receiver can also re-mix stereo material with interesting results. My Sui does a "synth" mode that's probably close to what your "matrix" mode does, and I also have a HALL mode that recreates the rear wall presence of an orchestral auditorium. The QS and SQ modes decode the source material exactly as the producers intended when creating the discs.

CD4 requires the upscale cartridge with a shibata tip to catch the 40khz control tones encoded in the source. Without that, you'll just hear stereo. Worth noting, playing back a CD4 disc on a standard stylus can cause a LOT of wear in the narrow grooves, and mostly trashing the control tone tracks which are recorded deeper in the grooves.

Four channel direct is just that - four distinct connections to four separate inputs, with no decoding required. This is mostly a tape thing, but as mentioned, is quite handy if you're doing multi-channel playback on a classic system.

Oh. And DO feel free to experiment. You can get some interesting effects playing with modes. Also, you're not really locked into the four identical speakers perfectly equidistant from the listening position blah blah blah that some insist is necessary - I actually use two sets of bookshelf speakers in a Hafler array on the rear of the room to complement the big boxes up front.
 
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This is turning out to be what I hoped it would be. An ongoing process of experimentation. I’m excited to get things up and running. I’m currently finishing my basement and have set aside an area with plans on creating a sound attenuated environment for listening as well as work benches. I envision the room as a work\set up\experimentation\listening room. A place where I can move equipment in and out. Not quite Victor Frankenstein‘a lab but close! LOL!
Once again, I appreciate you taking the time to walk me through some of this. I will report back as construction progresses.
 
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