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Should I exchange Cartridges between my tables, for better compliance matching?

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
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AT440mlb on Linn LP12 with Basik LVX arm.

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Grado Gold2 or ME+ mono (identical Ortofon SH4 headshells) on Pioneer PL570.

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Shure M95 LPGear Vivid Line on Lab 400.

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Grado M+ (silver equivalent) on Denon DP37F.

So my question is:
Can I do a better job of matching the above carts and turntable/arms? Would exchanging between be a good idea?
I'm not sure I have a handle on cartridge to arm compliance matching.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.
OG
 
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I would mount them on all turntables and find out if they sound better. Cartridge resonance charts are just a guideline. The truth is in the listening!

Your Linn Sondek LP-12 should be the best sounding out of those turntables. The platter and platter bearing are much higher quality than the others.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
I would mount them on all turntables and find out if they sound better. Cartridge resonance charts are just a guideline. The truth is in the listening!

Your Linn Sondek LP-12 should be the best sounding out of those turntables. The platter and platter bearing are much higher quality than the others.
Click to expand...
Just trying to reduce trial and error mis-steps. Aligning on the S arms isn't too hard. But no fan of drudgery of aligning straight arms. It's not a process I enjoy doing.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
I'm not as steady as I used to be, but I can get the job done. ;) Still enjoy cartridge setup! :D
Click to expand...
I enjoy changing other parts of audio. Carts not part of fun for me.
Going to check out the Vinylengine database on Basik LVX.
Maybe try the M+ on the Linn, as you mentioned before. It sounds pretty good on the Denon TT. For an entry level TT, works well. If M+ works well on Linn, could try a Gold or 8mz stylus eventually.
I like the easy one minute changeover between Gold and ME+ on PL570.
OG
 
Old Guy8 said:
I enjoy changing other parts of audio. Carts not part of fun for me.
Going to check out the Vinylengine database on Basik LVX.
Maybe try the M+ on the Linn, as you mentioned before. It sounds pretty good on the Denon TT. For an entry level TT, works well. If M+ works well on Linn, could try a Gold or 8mz stylus eventually.
I like the easy one minute changeover between Gold and ME+ on PL570.
OG
Click to expand...


What's the difference in sound between the Pioneer & Realistic with the Grado cartridges?

I see you have a Grado mounting plate on the vintage M+. Grado used to sell that but now recommends not using it. Have you tried it with the Gold2 & ME+ cartridges?
 
Ilikevinyl said:
What's the difference in sound between the Pioneer & Realistic with the Grado cartridges?

I see you have a Grado mounting plate on the vintage M+. Grado used to sell that but now recommends not using it. Have you tried it with the Gold2 & ME+ cartridges?
Click to expand...
You have a sharp eye. I never took notice of that plate. So Grado made that. The Denon and M+ are as I bought it at garage sale. Previous owner even rotated record sleeves 90° in albums I bought from him.
No, I have not tried that plate with other Grados.

Basik LVX is 12.5 g. mass.

And, I prefer the Grados on the Pioneer. I think there was quieter background. Its a heavier table at 30#s.
 
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You'd have to re-mount each cartridge every time you want to change. Can't imagine not only the drudgery of changing, but the potential damage in broken wires or bent stylus cantilevers would be worth it. Better to make sure all styli are properly aligned, stylus overhang and anti-skate adjusted correctly, stylus pressure is correct, and stylus is clean and in good condition. That should keep you busy for a while.
 
So I'm in the Vinylengine's Cartridge Residence Evaluator.
It asks for Tonearm Effective Mass. Put in 12.5 for Basik LVX.
Chart appears with "Cart and mounting hardware mass" at top. And "Dynamic Compliance 10-6 cm/ Dyne" on left.
For Grado 6g mass it shows 11 to 24 Dynamic Compliance is preferred.
So what is Dynamic Compliance? And how do I use this info?

Edit: I see Grado Gold specs lists 20 10-6 cm/Dyne. So I to assume its with in preferred compliance range. 20 corresponds with 8 hz on chart. For Basik LVX arm.
AT440mlb is listed 10 10-6 cm/Dyne. Corresponds with 11 hz. At limit of preferred range.

Tonearm mass for Pioneer PL570 or Lab400 are missing from specs.
 
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Old Guy8 said:
(...) AT440mlb is listed 10 10-6 cm/Dyne. (...)
Click to expand...

Careful there - 'cause that's a "Japan style" spec, i.e. @ 100 Hz, not @ 10 Hz. Actual dynamic compliance at 10 Hz (which is the spec style you'd need for use with the usual resonance formula) will be significantly higher. For the predecessor AT440MLa (pretty much the same thing, but still with anodised cantilever just like the AT140ML and AT440ML/OCC before...) German Stereoplay magazine determined a resonance of 8.5 Hz in a 13 g arm (in issue 4/2007). Assuming a total effective mass of 20 g (arm plus cart plus mounting hardware), that would mean a dynamic compliance of ca. 17.5 cu @ 10 Hz.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
lini said:
Careful there - 'cause that's a "Japan style" spec, i.e. @ 100 Hz, not @ 10 Hz. Actual dynamic compliance at 10 Hz (which is the spec style you'd need for use with the usual resonance formula) will be significantly higher. For the predecessor AT440MLa (pretty much the same thing, but still with anodised cantilever just like the AT140ML and AT440ML/OCC before...) German Stereoplay magazine determined a resonance of 8.5 Hz in a 13 g arm (in issue 4/2007). Assuming a total effective mass of 20 g (arm plus cart plus mounting hardware), that would mean a dynamic compliance of ca. 17.5 cu @ 10 Hz.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
Click to expand...
Thanks Manfred.
I'm not going to claim I understand compliance and the chart.

Looks like Grado and At440mlb are both good matches to the Basik LVX.

Think I'll try the Grado M+ or Gold2 on it. Hear how it sounds!
OG
 
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Back to this thread with my Cartridge results:

Moved Grado Gold2 to Linn LP12 / Basik LVX. 1.7 g tracking force. Sounds good, except a little sibulance.

Moved Grado ME+ mono to Lab400. Have not played it much yet. Some hum at higher volume when near spindle.

Mounted ADC XLM MK III, new EVG nude stylus to Pioneer PL570. 1.4 g. tracking force. This sounds very good. Especially for just $44 shipped.

Ordered a Grado Blue stylus for M+ cart that I left on Denon DP37F.

Thanks to all for info and suggestions.
OG
 
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Old Guy8 said:
Moved Grado Gold2 to Linn LP12 / Basik LVX. 1.7 g tracking force. Sounds good, except a little sibulance.
Click to expand...

When I installed the Soundsmith EZ Mount screws to add more mass, most of the sibilance went away on my Grado Gold3. So easy to install cartridges with these screws! Different weight sets (4) in the package.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
When I installed the Soundsmith EZ Mount screws to add more mass, most of the sibilance went away on my Grado Gold3. So easy to install cartridges with these screws! Different weight sets (4) in the package.
Click to expand...
Again your going to have me spend more money! I may try them. Thanks.
My new upgrade brass counterweight should be here from UK in few weeks. Hear what it does first.
 
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