• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Review of the 'Quest 20' Ortofon/Digitrac

wlmill said:
Could you tell me a little bit about Strain Gauge cartridges? I would like to know more about them.
Click to expand...
They function as variable resistance devices rather than as micro-generators, they need a current limited voltage source thru a resistance bridge to work. That means they need a special dedicated phono interface different from a standard RIAA phono stage. Matsushita/Panasonic developed their own line of them in the early-to-mid 1970s for their entry-level integrated CD-4 quadraphonic phono system and some found them excellent as conventional stereo cartridges when equipped with dedicated stereo-only interface stages. Several prestige audio equipment designer/manufacturers marketed their own phono systems based on and equipped with the Panasonic EPC-451C strain gauge cartridge. New after-market stylii are still easily available for these Panasonic carts.
I use one in a dedicated Pioneer PL-L1000 linear tracking TT, it gives a bold dynamic life-sized presentation thru a simple dedicated interface.
Here are a couple of forums discussing them;
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=346476
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntabl...&t=28750&sid=f7b1ea33ae2be04a80c14f7e1d7b00d7
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the links, I will take a look at them. I read a review of a strain gauge Cartridge system put out by Soundsmith. Lets just say, I will not be purchasing one from them right now due to the price tag. I am sure, I would be in audio heaven if I could afford one.
 
The Soundsmith SG as far as I can tell is based on the Matsushita/Panasonic SGs, repackaged in a far sturdier support casing and likely tighter QC with improvements to the support and damping components. The earliest Soundsmith SGs looked just like the distinctive shoe-shaped Matsu/Pana carts, but in a clear plastic shoe-shaped casing with the signature blue LEDS. The later ones are in a milled from billet metal casing with the blue LEDs.
 
Last edited:
I have been reading through the threads you sent. I must say this is impressive work you and others have done, building phono interfaces to use these cartridges.
 
Last edited:
Maybe down the road, I will have to get me a setup that will allow me to use a strain gauge cartridge. I am enjoying the digi, it does sound amazing.
 
Hey Pio,
with regards to the Digitrac on the Revox....

Have you tried it on an OM body rather than the P-mount adapter?

With the p-mount adapter the cartridge is circa 7.5g
With the OM body it can be either 2.5g or 5g (depending on whether you remove the optional top weight or not)

With the very high compliance digitrac stylus, getting it riding on the 2.5g body may just eke another smidge more out of the setup....

I am currently running with P-mount adapter in place, using V15VSAS - it does sound very good, but the compliance is too low to be ideal, especially given the SAS is lower compliance than the original Shure styli.

I'm currently Shure focused - will get back to digitrac/ortofon at a later time....

bye for now

David
 
Hi David;
I don't have an OM or OM Super to try and my Linatrack has the brass plate in the carrier's nose. If I had an OM Super I'd be tempted to try it in spite of the nuisance of changing and set-up. I wonder if I'd removed the nose weight I wouldn't have needed the add'l 5g of lead in the carrier's rear over the movable weight for the 'P' mount. The additional weight does increase the effective inertial mass of the floating unit and also the mass loading of the cart's reactive component, dunno how that works out overall for this set-up.
Best Rgds; Steve
 
I might see if I have a spare OM body lying around (I used to but I think I got rid of them.... must check)

If I do you are welcome to it.

Yes - given the magnetic stabilisation, which is obviously fixed, a higher total mass will reduce the influence of that stabilisation. - Which is why the Empire modded version of the Linatrack (with a brass arm I believe! - lots more mass!) had much stronger magnets.

Which is one of the reasons I suspect there is more potentially to be gained with the "perfect" combo.... (which includes lowest possible mass across the board)

And the Digitrac styli are pretty much spot on for the linatrack

(mind you the ADC XLM's might be another good choice, I have not yet tried to mount my ADC SuperXLM on the Revox.... 40cu compliance)

The Revox is an "extreme" low mass arm - and the digitrac's are relatively extreme in terms of high compliance (in terms of todays market - they were middle of the road in the early 80's!!)
 
Thnx! I may put out an APB for an OM or Super OM carcass on BT later. Is the Omega worth considering as it's a bargain as a Concorde style cart?
 
Last edited:
Yes the Omega is perfect... it is a straight OM body (not the super version) - with a relatively low compliance basic eliptical... equivalent to OM3/5, and cheap as chips.

I have not had a chance to try out the Super version, theoretically I prefer the standard OM as it has lower inductance... and is therefore slightly less sensitive to capacitance.

bye for now

David
 
Thnx! Should I remove the weight plate from the cart?
Also interested in input on your B795 re the other thread when you get a chance as mine is the only example I've been able to examine in detail.
 
With the Digitrac SE stylus I would try it without the plate...

Which will require using the brass (lighter) counterweight to balance things...
 
dlaloum said:
With the Digitrac SE stylus I would try it without the plate...

Which will require using the brass (lighter) counterweight to balance things...
Click to expand...

Hi David;
Some numbers:
Weight of Digi' 200 NE+'P'mount adapter, ca 7.73gm
Weight of Omega as sold, 5gm
Difference of ca 2.73gm
Weight of added comp weights for the 'P'mount, 2.5 gm
Present compliance of NOS Digi' tombstone stylii unknown.
So the add'l lead plate 'P'mount comp weights can come off for the Omega, dunno higth diff re Digi' on O'fon 'P'mount.
 
Digi does not fitt onto an OMP (p-mount OM) body! :no:

(tried that)

Using an OM body would save 2.5g (rougly) by using a lighter body with the removal of the adapter as well.
Removing the weight in the top of the OM body will then save a further 2.5g.

The OM body in its "lightweight" configuration weighs 2.5g (!).

This is why the range was named OM (optimum mass)
 
I expect the OMP body weighs the standard 6gm, 7.7-ish gm in it's 'P'mount adapter. So no advantage there over the Digi' set-up.
 
Reading back on some Revox threads, I note someone mentioning that revox added weight to the arm when balancing OEM light weight cartridges...

This implies that the OM would probably be too light to balance with its optional weight removed....

On the other hand, I could fill the hollow left by the weight I have removed, with some vibration damping plasticine.... :scratch2:
 
Mine has the brass nose weight and brass hanging counterweight so it was apparently set up for the lightest range of suitable carts. I just added the lead plate counterweights to increase the range for the heavier 'P'mount cart. I suspect Id need to remove the lead plates but leave the brass plate and the Omega cart's weight in place to keep it in range of adjustment.
 
dlaloum said:
Reading back on some Revox threads, I note someone mentioning that revox added weight to the arm when balancing OEM light weight cartridges...

This implies that the OM would probably be too light to balance with its optional weight removed....

On the other hand, I could fill the hollow left by the weight I have removed, with some vibration damping plasticine.... :scratch2:
Click to expand...

A service bulletin was issued for examples that wouldn't cue with too-light a cart due to the stabilizer magnets being strong enuff to overcome the total weight of the suspended carrier and pull it off the unipivot and lock it up. They took another shot at calculating the entire system and the strength of the magnets to correct the problem.
 
Yup, pretty much a 'set piece' as far as the carrier assembly is concerned.
Can you hear a diff with the Bib clamp on/off?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom