Leo
02-18-2017, 04:51 PM
Not sure if any of you are "audiophiles" but I am considering (in the future) to upgrade the stylus/cartridge on my turntable. The turntable I have came with a Ortofon 2M Red which is the bottom of the line for the 2M series, but it's a good setup but I feel that it could be better but I'm not so sure the "problems" I have are due to having an inadequate setup.
That being said and before I go any further, this isn't a discussion on why don't you just listen to digital audio like everyone else in 2017. Let's keep it on vinyl in this thread, but I am happy to talk about audio formats and mediums. I enjoy watching Techmoan's channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan) a lot...
Anyway, what I experience is inner groove distortion, which is common and the idea is that a fine line stylus (featured on the 2M Bronze stylus) will reduce or correct the problem...
This is what I'm referring to... (minus the 60 Hz hum -_- )
No they don't sound that bad on my system...but same effect.
Although some records like this one (and this IS my system in this video) are just mastered too damn loud...and well distortion...Nothing can fix this... That and I suppose this record was played on a jukebox back in the day...
Now comes for the "should I do this part"
One thing I do know is that often the stylus and catilever make a bigger difference than the cartridge itself. I have listened to many videos and the difference is very subtle between cartridges using the same needle...but in my own experience there can be a HUGE difference between stili. I used to use a Technics turntable, one of those direct drive turn tables from the 80's (can't think of the model, something like QD-33?) and I bought a replacement stylus for the Shure M800 cartridge, it was a cheap one but supposed to be an elliptical diamond). Well the difference was night and the the old stylus which I thought might have been worn out sounded way better, louder, better channel separation, fidelity, it was clear...kind of like going from AM to FM, or Ferric tape to Chrome tape.
So I have a hard time believing I need to buy a $440 cartridge when I can just buy the stylus which will fit the 2M red (all the stili on the 2M are interchangeable with all the 2M cartridges...red stylus will fit a 2M bronze, or black, blue, etc..)
The grades go red, blue, bronze, black...and the prices go up from there... So my thinking is that I would benefit just as well getting an upgraded stylus over replacing both which of course costs more and all the fun that comes with alignment.
Speaking of alignment, that may be the problem...so once I can print an alignment sheet and check it again I can only suspect that's the issue... Anti-skate, overhang and that sort of thing shouldn't the a problem...I've checked the anti-skate and it's fine and the headshell is part of the tonearm... I guess I should clarify what I have... I have a Project Debut Carbon... http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?pr...es&lang=en
Preamp is a Project Phono Box S and replaced the platter with a clear acrylic one...does make it quieter in between songs...
Anyway, I kind of wished this guy included the 2M red but I pretty well can tell that when you move over to the 2M bronze things do seem a bit brighter and crisp over the Blue and the 2M black, well I can't tell a difference and we're not going there, not forking out that kind of cash...
So one thing, play in 1080p or the compression is just too much to tell anything apart imo... What I'm hoping is someone to confirm.. I've listened with headphones and through my Klipsch floor speakers and while it is a small difference I think it is there... or am I fooling myself in hearing things?
That being said and before I go any further, this isn't a discussion on why don't you just listen to digital audio like everyone else in 2017. Let's keep it on vinyl in this thread, but I am happy to talk about audio formats and mediums. I enjoy watching Techmoan's channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan) a lot...
Anyway, what I experience is inner groove distortion, which is common and the idea is that a fine line stylus (featured on the 2M Bronze stylus) will reduce or correct the problem...
This is what I'm referring to... (minus the 60 Hz hum -_- )
No they don't sound that bad on my system...but same effect.
Although some records like this one (and this IS my system in this video) are just mastered too damn loud...and well distortion...Nothing can fix this... That and I suppose this record was played on a jukebox back in the day...
Now comes for the "should I do this part"
One thing I do know is that often the stylus and catilever make a bigger difference than the cartridge itself. I have listened to many videos and the difference is very subtle between cartridges using the same needle...but in my own experience there can be a HUGE difference between stili. I used to use a Technics turntable, one of those direct drive turn tables from the 80's (can't think of the model, something like QD-33?) and I bought a replacement stylus for the Shure M800 cartridge, it was a cheap one but supposed to be an elliptical diamond). Well the difference was night and the the old stylus which I thought might have been worn out sounded way better, louder, better channel separation, fidelity, it was clear...kind of like going from AM to FM, or Ferric tape to Chrome tape.
So I have a hard time believing I need to buy a $440 cartridge when I can just buy the stylus which will fit the 2M red (all the stili on the 2M are interchangeable with all the 2M cartridges...red stylus will fit a 2M bronze, or black, blue, etc..)
The grades go red, blue, bronze, black...and the prices go up from there... So my thinking is that I would benefit just as well getting an upgraded stylus over replacing both which of course costs more and all the fun that comes with alignment.
Speaking of alignment, that may be the problem...so once I can print an alignment sheet and check it again I can only suspect that's the issue... Anti-skate, overhang and that sort of thing shouldn't the a problem...I've checked the anti-skate and it's fine and the headshell is part of the tonearm... I guess I should clarify what I have... I have a Project Debut Carbon... http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?pr...es&lang=en
Preamp is a Project Phono Box S and replaced the platter with a clear acrylic one...does make it quieter in between songs...
Anyway, I kind of wished this guy included the 2M red but I pretty well can tell that when you move over to the 2M bronze things do seem a bit brighter and crisp over the Blue and the 2M black, well I can't tell a difference and we're not going there, not forking out that kind of cash...
So one thing, play in 1080p or the compression is just too much to tell anything apart imo... What I'm hoping is someone to confirm.. I've listened with headphones and through my Klipsch floor speakers and while it is a small difference I think it is there... or am I fooling myself in hearing things?
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