Printable View
Hi Neal,
Yes I did, but what intrigued me more was your reporting of the difference in frequency response. It will be very interesting comparing the N3D stylus to the N21D when it arrives.
Intriguing stuff this, isn't it - what are your thoughts on the matter? :)
Now to answer the question Chris asked me... :cool:
Marco.
Hi Marco, I'd expect the difference to be similar when going from the 103 to the 103R...an opening up of the HF and perhaps a more detailed and controlled Bass...However as with all things Hi-Fi I reserve the right to be wrong! :lol:
Just seen a 103 thread on PFM recommending the 103 for use in an Ittok...:confused:
Hi Chris,Quote:
Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo
I can see how you'd interpret my current cartridge shenanigans in that way, but the actual fact is my chosen system components stay pretty constant. You'll not read about me chopping and changing my system like our very own (and very nice, grovel, grovel ;)) 'serial box-swapper', Jerry!
I've owned the same speakers (Spendor SP100s) since 2002, the same CDP since 2006, ditto with my preamp, and the same T/T now for nearly two years. Outside of cartridges (yes I do have an unhealthy fetish :eyebrows:) my only recent acquisition is my TD valve amp, and that was bought nearly 10 months ago. I predict that it will stay with me as long as my speakers (and probably even longer).
No, matey, my system is not "in a constant state of flux" - I just love dicking around with (classic) cartridges! Oh the joys of detachable headshells :lol:
As for "dogs" that I've bought in the past; there aren't many because anything (equipment, cables or whatever) that makes it into my system has been very carefully considered, researched, and then auditioned at length - so any mistakes I've made are few and far between.
Outside of small and relatively inexpensive items like cartridges and valves, I don't 'take a punt' on things with the view to selling them on later if I don't like them - it just isn't my way. Once I make the decision to buy new equipment then it has 'passed the test', so I tend to live with it for years and just enjoy the music it makes.
However, I'll give it some thought and if I can think of any gear which fits the category you describe I'll come back and let you know :)
Marco.
The tragedy Marco is that the M3D cost you £80! I bet there are countless small HiFi shops with old'uns shoved in a workshop drawer thinking they're valueless. In fact, I'm counting on it.......;)
I was under the impression that the N21D was eliptical, yet the current replacements (Swiss made?) indicate that they're .0007 conical. Interesting to see if you find the 21D any better.
There's a thread on Vinyl Asylum (I think it's there) that said the M3D original styli suffer from aly fatigue and fracture. Perhaps that's in more humid climes than the UK.
I've found a good M55E but I'd be very scared of using this today. That massive 16KHz resonance peak is worse than a misbehaving Decca and they're bad enough if not fettled properly... I'd sooner have one of my Supexes re-tipped I think.
I look forward to further revelations with interest...
Well I thought the SA sounded good when I heard it Marco, so this must incredible!
PS. Do me a favour and PM me the names of the Kraftwerk album (boxset) you have, and also that wierd movie soundtrack one... Valerie or summat, cheers!! Steve
LOL. I hope you're lucky, mate, and have what you need to optimise it :)Quote:
The tragedy Marco is that the M3D cost you £80! I bet there are countless small HiFi shops with old'uns shoved in a workshop drawer thinking they're valueless. In fact, I'm counting on it....... ;)
Thing is though, with respect, £80 is not much more than a (half) decent night out for me, or 'sweety money', as they say up in Scotland... Especially when I think of the all the supposed 'hi-end' moving coil cartridges I've bought in the past at many times that amount, and then how much the M3D pisses all over them from a great height, £80 is not only a bargain - quite frankly, I've stolen the f*cker! :lol:
So no "tragedy" whatsoever!!
Steve,
Will do! I trust you enjoyed the 'ol Dansette then t'other night? :eyebrows:
Del and I enjoyed your company very much. We must do it again sometime :cool:
Marco.
Wow Marco, you're saying the SC35C sounds as good as a stock 103? If so, then that is just too intriguing not to investigate myself. They go for around $35-40 over here in states and if it sounds as good as the 103, I'll be shocked. I'll have to give it a try sometime. :eyebrows:Quote:
The SC35C.....
. I'd rate it as every bit as good as a stock DL-103 (and better in some areas), with a similar type of sound, and so therefore an absolute bargain!
Jason
Hi Jason,
It doesn't quite have the openness or clarity through the midrange and top-end of the 103 (I don't think many MMs can compete with good MCs in that respect, although the M3D does), but when the SC35C is set-up and partnered properly it's not lacking much in that area - and it has great bass with that 'funky', rhythmic, presentation that the 103 does so well. It is also completely 'unflustered' no matter what you throw at it, making you want to play record after record, forgetting all about the 'hi-fi' in the process and just concentrating on the music...
I guess it's not bad for $35-40 dollars ;)
Marco.
I thought a lot of the SC35C when I used one and while the price is so good, I might get one for the GL75.
According to HiFi Choice, the M97EJ was another goodie - NOT the 95EJ apparently, but stylus quality did vary back then.
These heavy trackers do have quite a droop in treble output that can sometimes be tamed with plenty of capacitive loading - 400pF is normal. less than this emphasises the dullness.
I think you're right Dave in the case of the SC35C - it's not the most 'crisp' sounding cartridge in the world, but neither is it 'dull' in the right set-up. The M3D (partnered and set-up optimally) is a different animal altogether in that respect: think 'Decca-style' midrange without the 'spit' and a lovely open-sounding, communicative style of clarity. Did I mention the stonking bass, too? Oh yes, I have! :eyebrows:Quote:
These heavy trackers do have quite a droop in treble output...
I'm a great believer that only in a neutral, open sounding system will you hear what any components truly sound like. If an M3D, for example, sounds 'dull' and 'bloated' with no top-end then blame your system not the cartridge. What it does is simply not over-emphasise or 'prioritise' the upper frequencies in the way of most modern cartridges (think Goldrings and some current Ortofon MMs, yuk!) It is just very even-handed in that respect, which a good system will showcase properly.
It also has the right amount of bass to give music a proper 'foundation', unlike some of its anaemic-sounding modern counterparts. If you think the M3D sounds 'tubby' or 'bloated' then that's only because the latter sound 'thin' and they're what you're used to and consider as 'normal'! There's a good reason why the Japanese love M3Ds, 103s, SPUs, etc, and it's because as audiophiles in general they're a lot more discerning than we are.
It's my belief that the sea-change in the 'tone' quality and sonic presentation of modern cartridges compared to classics such as the M3D has attuned our ears to a false sound that isn't natural, and thus our 'benchmark' is flawed...
Marco.