View Full Version : should this go back?
my new audio technica ART-9 arrived yesterday,what do you think? should i return it as the stylus tip to me is mounted pissed in relation to the headshell.
with the cost of these things i expect a relatively good aligned stylus .
https://i.postimg.cc/xdCKCn4V/IMG-3191.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/dtwZ3JhN/IMG-3199.jpg
jandl100
21-04-2019, 08:03
should this go back?
Yes. Totally unacceptable quality control imo.
flapland
21-04-2019, 08:04
Sadly I think so as it looks a long way out, on that arm easy to correct but on a arm without removable heads hell pretty diffficult. I hope its reasonably easy to return/swap.
I can't tell. The headshell looks out of alignment, or is this just a trick of the pic? I've just copied your photo and levelled the cart, put horizontal and vertical intersects on it and it doesn't look that bad.
But you've got eyes on the problem and can see what we can't. Is it the azimuth you're concerned about?
If it is wrong I'd agree - for that money it should be to spec.
yes bob its purely azimuth that concerns me,i will take another photo with the headshell level to the platter so you can compare.
listening with the cartridge level produces a soundstage to the left of center by the way.
Yup it looks a bit ascue reflection wise.
walpurgis
21-04-2019, 08:29
The headshell doesn't look parallel to the record, so it's hard to tell. The stylus looks straight in relation to the cartridge body.
This maybe helps
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190421/2f1dece48b43f0e000f688971d85f1f9.jpg
The headshell doesn't look parallel to the record, so it's hard to tell. The stylus looks straight in relation to the cartridge body.
it wouldn't do geoff if the tip wasn't true.
Bigman80
21-04-2019, 08:53
I'd return that mate. No doubt. Refund.
ok so heres with the headshell level.
https://i.postimg.cc/66jTWCNq/IMG-3204.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/8cJGPJhf/IMG-3219.jpg
perhaps not as bad as the first set of photos makes out but still not true imo,tricky stuff this
Bigman80
21-04-2019, 09:09
ok so heres with the headshell level.
https://i.postimg.cc/66jTWCNq/IMG-3204.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/8cJGPJhf/IMG-3219.jpg
perhaps not as bad as the first set of photos makes out but still not true imo,tricky stuff thisHmmm, I think the light is having an effect on the image.
How's the soundstage now?
walpurgis
21-04-2019, 09:12
The cantilever looks straight, but the very end with the diamond tip looks skewed. Could have had a knock, send it back!
Hmmm, I think the light is having an effect on the image.
yep its a real head fuk doing it,hence my request for a fozgometer a while back lol.
i think i'll give up looking at it and do some listening tests
walpurgis
21-04-2019, 09:40
Even if it sounds OK, if the tip is tilted it will damage records.
If not happy then send back, if you keep it you'll always doubt it
IMO their is an error of perhaps 1 or 2 degrees on the cantilever relative to the cartridge body, and a similar one of the diamond into the cantilever. The headshell was not parallel to the mirror, and is very fractionally still off slightly.
Whether or not these errors are significant is another question, I've seen used cartridges with far greater errors after some time, resulting from bias forces.
My other thought is this, do you think your system is good enough to pick any error this cartridge will show?
:eyebrows:
[emoji13]
[emoji38]
When straightened it looks pretty much ok
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190421/07a9d433e69543afec46bb4d1f8c7abe.jpg
My other thought is this, do you think your system is good enough to pick any error this cartridge will show?
[emoji14] :lol:
:eek::confused::confused::violin::nocomment:
:eek::confused::confused::violin::nocomment:Just kidding, if it was me and it was brand new it's going back for sure.
Too many times people these days just accept lower standards which then become THE standard.
Get it boxed up and ask for a replacement, be wary they don't just send the same one back though.
Just kidding, if it was me and it was brand new it's going back for sure.
Too many times people these days just accept lower standards which then become THE standard.
Get it boxed up and ask for a replacement, be wary they don't just send the same one back though.
yep,im boxing it back up now,as you say it will be playing on my mind if i keep it.
Hello Jamie,
Not realising it was you, I have just commented on the Hoffman site on the original photo which appears to me showing the headshell skewed, but the later now appears to show the stylus not quite centred on the cantilever and the cantilever slightly twisted on the end, Send it back, But when you do get a new one let me know what your impressions are of it as I am just about to buy one of these but may now put off for now.
Bigman80
21-04-2019, 10:27
yep,im boxing it back up now,as you say it will be playing on my mind if i keep it.Yes, this is wise. Nagging doubt with skew any positive or negative feedback you may have given the performance.
Wise words from Mikey.
Hello Jamie,
Not realising it was you, I have just commented on the Hoffman site on the original photo which appears to me showing the headshell skewed, but the later now appears to show the stylus not quite centred on the cantilever and the cantilever slightly twisted on the end, Send it back, But when you do get a new one let me know what your impressions are of it as I am just about to buy one of these but may now put off for now.
yep will do,your welcome to pop over and hear it before you buy yours.
Yes, this is wise. Nagging doubt with skew any positive or negative feedback you may have given the performance.
Wise words from Mikey.
i hope i have better luck with the KB!
Yep Jamie - back in the box and straight back. :(
The cantilever looks twisted in relation to the body with the result that the stylus isn't at 90 deg to the record surface. Reinforced by your comment about channel imbalance.
If you get a replacement I'd be interested in your thoughts regarding SQ. I'm a fan of AT and this is one of the few carts I still look longingly at.
Good luck for a quick turnaround.
Bigman80
21-04-2019, 10:39
i hope i have better luck with the KB!I can't imagine Ortofon letting you down.
Jac Hawk
21-04-2019, 15:47
Ortofon probably wouldn't but it's an Audio Technica:eyebrows::doh:
Jac Hawk
21-04-2019, 15:50
I've been reading this thread with interest as I too have recently bought an ART9, luckily mine seems fine, the cantilever on the ART9 is incredibly fine, did you 1st notice something wasn't right because it sounded wrong or was it because it just didn't look right
Audio Al
21-04-2019, 16:05
Contact the seller and send them the photo , It looks like the tip is not central , see what they say
I've been reading this thread with interest as I too have recently bought an ART9, luckily mine seems fine, the cantilever on the ART9 is incredibly fine, did you 1st notice something wasn't right because it sounded wrong or was it because it just didn't look right
a bit of both really,i always inspect the tip with a loupe first,it looked ok but when on the platter it looked off center
Contact the seller and send them the photo , It looks like the tip is not central , see what they say
it was bought from audio affair,ive sent them an email earlier.
Bluebeat13
21-04-2019, 17:42
It’s hard to say from that photo as nothing seems to be perfectly level. Any tiny variation from level in azimuth will show up like a sore thumb in a mirrored reflection. I assume that there is azimuth adjustment on your arm?
Is the anti-skate zero’d? That will of course apply some force to the cantilever. I would take the cart off the head shell and take a look with a loupe with the cartridge on it’s back stylus facing up, there’s too many set up factors the be conclusive from your photo.
paulf-2007
21-04-2019, 18:22
My other thought is this, do you think your system is good enough to pick any error this cartridge will show?
:eyebrows:
[emoji13]
[emoji38]ouch
paulf-2007
21-04-2019, 18:25
Stylus is pissed. Cantilever is ok
yep will do,your welcome to pop over and hear it before you buy yours.
Let us know when you have had the replacement and had it burnt in, then next time I am in Brighton I will call on you.
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