Philips GP390 Ceramic cartridge NOS 1970s

[User211]

Yeah Jerry and I are playing with our Apart amps now - in synch - but at different venues.

[Audioflyer]

Later today I'll try the unused GP390 I have in a Rega RB300 on a Thorens TD160 Super and I'll let you know how it sound.

Then I'll try swapping them over between the Phonosophie and Thorens turntables, I should get some idea of the differences.

Sharif.

[Marco]

That'll be interesting, Sharif. Look forward to reading your observations

Marco.

[jandl100]

Right.
Immediate excitement over new amp is now over. Back to the ceramic Philips 390.

Increased VTF to 2,5g from 1.7g. Couldn't hear a difference.
Added headshell mass: 2p + blu-tac. Couldn't hear a difference.

ah well. No matter - will continue letting it run in.

I'm using my only spare headshell - a tatty, scrawny aged thing. Where have my spares gone? Baffling. Maybe in my mid-Wales ranchette?
Anyway, hopefully a decent one I ordered 2 days ago will turn up today.
Getting a fair bit of hum. Not LOUD, but still noticeable. That's with both my Marantz and Audiolab 'stages.

Also needle talk is very loud!! Well loud for needle talk, not loud loud, if you know what I mean!
Can't hear it while music is playing at sensible level but very noticeable if the sound is off.

The sound quality?
It really is very good. Still a fair bit bright, but excellent detail and image focus. Loads of in-room you-are-there presence. Waaaay beyond its £37.50 price point. Definitely in the multi-£100 league.
Loads more listening as well as running in to do. I've focused so far on classical choons - but a couple of Yello LPs will get an airing today.

[Marco]

Right.
Immediate excitement over new amp is now over. Back to the ceramic Philips 390.

Increased VTF to 2,5g from 1.7g. Couldn't hear a difference.
Added headshell mass: 2p + blu-tac. Couldn't hear a difference.

Oh well, worth a try!

Still, that is *most* unusual... Can you think of any other cartridge you've used, which you've done that to, and there hasn't been a difference? I can't.

A 'tracking force and mass-agnostic' cartridge? Weird, man... Anyway, it sounds good and is a Billy Bargain, so all is well

Marco.

[Audioflyer]

I now remember how I settled on 2.1g it was to track a hot cut drum & bass record.

Last night I tried tracking at different VTF from 1.7 - 2.5g and the sound did not change.

There is a small tilt in the bass of about -1.5db @ 50Hz above 500Hz the GP390 has a flat response up to the tip resonance of 15.5kHz it then rises to about +1db to 20kHz.

Jerry I could send you a passive adaptor to correct the -1.5db bass loss this will bring a more balance sound, this is what I use to correct the bass drop.

It plug’s in between your phonostage and your preamp as I don’t think you will be able to compensate for it using a tone control.

Sharif.

[jandl100]

I now remember how I settled on 2.1g it was to track a hot cut drum & bass record.

Last night I tried tracking at different VTF from 1.7 - 2.5g and the sound did not change.

There is a small tilt in the bass of about -1.5db @ 50Hz above 500Hz the GP390 has a flat response up to the tip resonance of 15.5kHz it then rises to about +1db to 20kHz.

Jerry I could send you a passive adaptor to correct the -1.5db bass loss this will bring a more balance sound, this is what I use to correct the bass drop.

It plug’s in between your phonostage and your preamp as I don’t think you will be able to compensate for it using a tone control.

Sharif.

Ah - so I am not going deaf, Sharif, you agree that the sound really does not change with VTF! Phew.

Thank you for the offer of the bass loss adaptor - I shall PM you my address!

[Ali Tait]

Sharif, what is this adaptor please, do you have a link?

[User211]

Ah - so I am not going deaf, Sharif, you agree that the sound really does not change with VTF! Phew.

Thank you for the offer of the bass loss adaptor - I shall PM you my address!

I'm with Marco - 2p piece some blu tak and no change in sound? Baffles me.

That sort of thing will quite radically alter resonance. Strange indeed.

[Audioflyer]

Sharif, what is this adaptor please, do you have a link?

It's a home made adaptor the only penalty is a small insertion loss, I've attached the circuit here.



Sharif.