Why is HFW so biased against vintage cartridges?

[Marco]

You're absolutely right, David.

The difference with here is that we don't have to, or choose to, 'toe the party line'. Neither Steve Toy, nor I, or any of the management team owe any loyalties to anyone in the industry or otherwise.

In short, we have no vested interests on AOS. Therefore, everything and everyone is open to scrutiny, so we tell it as we see it honestly and with no holds barred… This is why discussions here are often more 'searching' and have more substance than sometimes you get on other forums. We're not protecting any agendas!

It's not always comfortable reading for followers of whatever or whoever is under scrutiny, but it's the only way of getting to the nitty-gritty!

'Safe' we don't do - we like to push boundaries. Things are much more interesting that way!

Marco.

[Marco]

Incidentally, David, have you read this thread:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=536

I think it would be right up your street

Marco.

[Barry]

hi all,
Well I think its time to get [vaugely] back on track now, richard, can I ask you, are your phono-stages directly coupled on the front end to the cartridge? My reason for asking, you mentioned the cartridge your using had gone noisey, could it be that there is a small amount of DC on the front end of your phono-stage, this can in some cases lead to the noise problem you relate to.
Obviously transformers dont pass DC so you don't get this potential problem using MC step up transformers.
Just a thought.
anthony,TD...

I wouldn't have thought passing DC through the coils of a pick up cartridge is good for the cartridge either.

[Dave Cawley]

Yes, I'll be a guarantor/trustee and will only let David have it when I believe it's perfect! (with Marco's considerable help and input)

Then I'll deliver it in person with some known records to make sure it sounds the same as it did here.

Regards



Dave

[anthonyTD]

I wouldn't have thought passing DC through the coils of a pick up cartridge is good for the cartridge either.

my point exactly!
A...

[Barry]

my point exactly!
A...

Wasn't criticising your comments, I just thought it should be pointed out that were the situation be left to continue, damage could be done to the cartridge and to the records being played.

Regards

[Marco]

Yes, I'll be a guarantor/trustee and will only let David have it when I believe it's perfect! (with Marco's considerable help and input)

Then I'll deliver it in person with some known records to make sure it sounds the same as it did here.

Excellent, Dave. This should be interesting. In the final analysis, I still don't think that the 103SA will be quite David's cup of tea (even when fully optimised), as he is on record as saying that he's a bit of a 'treble man' and values a crisp, 'vivid' presentation that majors on clarity and detail.

Because of the spherical stylus profile, no DL-103 will ever be able to compete in that area with the Lyras, ATs, Ortofons, VDH's and Transfigurations of this world, but at least, if things are done right, he should hear the true potential of the 103 and what its 'SA' guise brings to the party, as I have alluded to throughout this forum

What's the plan then chaps? Is David using his deck and one of your 103SAs, Dave? What tonearm will be used? And does David need to borrow my A23? The rest of the system can be sorted out later

Marco.

[WikiBoy]

ok,
just a thought, try running a de-magnetiser over the noisey cartridge, it may just be that one of the elements used in its construction, [either the poles, cantilever, coils etc] have become magnetised.
stranger things have happend i guess!.
regards,anthony,TD...

Tried it - still hissing

[WikiBoy]

Wasn't criticising your comments, I just thought it should be pointed out that were the situation be left to continue, damage could be done to the cartridge and to the records being played.

Regards

BUT it wasn't the situation!

[anthonyTD]

Tried it - still hissing

hhmmm,
very odd! not sure what else to sugest, is it definately on both chanels?
if so then its obviuosly something to do with what ever each chanel in the cartridge shares/has in common.
keep us informed if you do get to the bottom of it!
anthony,TD...