Originally Posted by
AJSki2fly
So following up on my post yesterday, this morning I decided to see if I could improve on SQ with the Micro Benz LP-S set up. What primarily lead me to do this was that yesterday having set up the Goldring 2500 and being pleased with the result I played a Quincy Jones record and it sounded great, however previously with the LP-S I had experience very sharp hi frequency transients which made me think there was a problem with the record. Now I was not so sure.
First I examined the LP-S stylus using a USB digital microscope camera, even though I regularly clean it with a dry carbon fibre stylus brush it did look rather dirty. So following several guides I very carefully cleaned the stylus using a very small and soft brush using distilled water, I kept the brush away from the workings and kept the cantilever pointing downwards. I ended up with a very clean and new looking stylus viewing it with the USB microscope.
Next I very carefully checked the position of the cartridge in the head shell using a small steel ruler, I ensured it was absolutely centred ( it was slightly off), and I checked the stylus overhang using a gauge I have. So my examination showed it was not quite perfectly mounted in on the head shell.
I proceeded to mount the head shell in the arm, initially setting a neutral VTF(head shell parallel with record surface), then I checked and adjusted azimuth for accuracy, then VTF, I then took some time adjusting VTA/SRA so that I achieved a slightly raised arm at the pivot, I could visually see this using a gauge I have.
I put on my two test listening tracks as before. I was immediately aware of more clarity, depth to the sound stage, and control and detail in bass note, this was very evident with the drums on the Ravi Shankar. With Eva Cassidy the most noticeable aspect was that there is virtually no sibilance now, and her voice sounds very pure and natural, that in the room experience , for want of a better description.
To sum up I think I have proven to myself that ensuring that a cartridge is as well set up as possible is critical, and will give you great a better SQ result. I am not saying I have got it perfect but I have certainly got a worthwhile improvement not once but twice by being methodical, taking my time and checking set up criteria several times. From what I have read some types of stylus tips are more forgiving than others due to the way they sit in the groove. But my understanding is that a lot of todays modern stylus are not so forgiving, so getting it right becomes more important to get the most from one.
I would advise anyone not quite happy with their record replay to take a look at their cartridge set up, there is lots of information available and some simple inexpensive tools help with the task greatly.
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