Zenith Angle Correction: The Final Set-up Frontier! Truth be told, a budget of $300 for a turntable isn’t much for what is traditionally an expensive hobby. Balance: .8dB@1kHz ... Would highly recommend the lowly AT3600L as an absolute bargain. While these might not be essential for listening to records, many people come to appreciate them over time. It's like eating all frosting and no cake. New for 2019. I also correctly identified my Grado Black. It is fitted with a Fine Line diamond stylus that like the Shibata demands careful SRA set-up. I have over 40 cartridges, two turntables and have had a dozen tonearms (now reduced to my current 6 favourites). Note: If you’re looking for a DJ setup that costs less than $300, going for a used Super OEM is by far the best route. For nigh on 30 years.....high end analogue has accepted the supremacy of LOMC cartridges over MMs without any questions? Gorgeous looking turntable with an auto-off feature, Automatic: No | Motor: Belt drive | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: AT-95E | Dimensions: 13.8 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches$249.99 Check Price on Amazon. All this is great and lots of choices to achieve that out there! The built-in phono preamp sounds good and at the back of the turntable is a switch that lets you bypass it and use a separate preamp. So, what might we conclude from the results? Sorry to hear of the Titan's death. Perhaps you could consider for the next test, something in reverse? I’m comfortable rating this and most MM cartridges as mid-to-highly compliant. It also has a slightly higher wow and flutter rating of <0.2% compared with the DP-300F’s <0.1%. LP GEAR. I have also read the review about de Jico V15xMR stylus into Shure M97 and I have read all the comments there. What spelled the difference here more than the gear is your PERCEPTIVE ABILITIES. The AT7V is voiced differently from other Audio-Technica cartridges - it sounds like the respectable Signet cartridges of years past and reproduces music glowingly like classic tube gear. Weight: 7.2g Somebody smarter than me can figure this out. My own comments on the AT95e placed it near the top of my preferences, finding it guilty of omission, but convincing musicality. I thing the Ortofon Black lush sound just makes it pale by comparison, no contest IMO. The new AT-LP120X is the long awaited update to the AT-LP120 and it doesn’t disappoint. However, I'm not psyched about it tracking at 2g. I am not sure if #5 is that but I thought it was aiming at that! Balance: (@1kHz): within 2.0dB The only file that played at the right speed was the Anna/Continuum/Ypsilon. I had the Ortofon 2M Bronze in my top three...which I own, but I probably had it slotted between the two top choices. Future such surveys will feature “normalized” files so levels will be equal. I had one and measured the generator specs, and they are the same. If a different track from a completely different record had been used, the results of this survey may have been quite different. It's normally used for hobbyist home studio types and as such also acts as a DAC and headphone amp/monitor preamp with phantom power and a quiet mic preamp. A MacBook Pro with Audirvana Free, an AudioQuest Dragonfly, and a pair of AKG-K701 headphones. Weight: 6g I also thought that Blue Point Special would do better and especially the Nagoaka MP-300, which I think is a superb sounding cartridge. true visionary work. Don't sell short your accomplishment! You can also buy the variant which features a built-in phono preamp that works out cheaper. But at $150, there's little to complain about. That said, there are affordable record players that not only sound great but leave plenty of room for future upgrades. Definitely want to try a cart from a Stereophile or Ananlogplanet competition or review. The point put more succinctly: records first, equipment second. I own this cartridge and am very happy with it. There were some other things that surprised me. I know many rippers use AT cartridges due to their ability to track well and reduce/eliminate IGD. Unlike these cartridges however, the AT95E … A slightly more expensive alternative to the AT3600L and AT91 would be Audio Technica’s own AT95E, which has the benefit of an elliptical stylus and an enviable reputation as the king of budget cartridges. Does a file placed in the middle score statistically different? Ortofon 2M Red vs. Audio-Technica AT95EDire Straits - Walk Of Life (Vinyl) Cantilever: “multiple alloy” The only notable difference was the bass on the LP was a little "wetter" and more satisfying. Nonetheless its 2.5mV should be sufficient for most MM phono preamps and it is classified as a “high output moving coil” cartridge. I want to buy a catrige to fit it on a REGA RP3, the budget is around 500 USD. One track gets the Furutech treatment, the other doesn't, a few phono pres in a shoot out, that is added TO a review!, different mats, tweaks, how about same cart. would be great to see the relative output levels of these cartridges and how that effected voting. I'd hate to spend $500 on it if it's a bad match for the Rega. If you attempted a similar comparison with phono cartridges (or loudspeakers, or even turntable mats or speaker cables), as Mikey does here, the results could NEVER be the same!! The Ortofon 2M Black was my favorite "sounding" on the list. It might be difficult to get permission, but if you could include a classic rock song (like "Tom Sawyer" by Rush)...that would be really interesting. . Or, hell, if you own it, send it back and make VPI get it right. I'd also like to hear the Sumiko cart in my system as well. This results in far superior bass: no more cardboardy string plucks. But the stylus profile requires careful SRA setting to get good sonic results and low Intermodulation Distortion (IM), so it should only be used on tone arms that allow you to adjust VTA/SRA and only if you are willing to go the “extra mile” during set-up. Weight: 9g Price: $159. And music hall and others do have speed controllers you don't need a Continuum. The omission of a USB port that allows you to rip music to a digital format won’t be an issue for most. I love reading that people blindly chose their faves! I currently run a Ortofon Rondo Blue that I have had for 7 years. Overall transient performance was notably softer than that of the AT95SA. I'm not saying your conclusion for you is incorrect! The AT150 is really a great cartridge, but very pricey indeed - but, then again, so is the 2M Black. The AT 150ANV is a short run product that carries a premium price and is not widely available. I was disappointed that the two inexpensive Audio-Technicas tied. In this list, most of the turntables are using the Audio Technica AT95E … I'll report back. The guitar on the right channel was buried and not distinctly presented as it was through the two Ortofons and the piano’s transients were slightly blunted but the instrument’s woody warmth shone through and I like the way it presented the saxophone’s reedy tone. The Nagoaka’s “price/performance” ratio struck me as being especially high. All of the cartridges surveyed worked well in the medium mass Traveler arm. The trumpet also goes from indistinct to genuinely brassy and Ms. Taylor’s voice is not bathed in texture and tonal-obscuring warmth but instead sounds natural and more convincing—at least to my ears. The Goldring 1042 is an excellent sounding MM cart, and highly regarded by those who've heard it... (I own it, sounds great, especially on rock, jazz and blues). Ms. Taylor’s voice was also warmer, rounder and fuller, as were the backup singers voices. Balance: >1dB@1kHz buy the variant which features a built-in phono preamp, UK customers can purchase here (Click to see price), Audio Technica AT-LP120X Turntable Review. Still, while the AT95E produces a shadow of what the recording has to offer, overall, the sound was surprisingly pleasing and I’d say in a modest system with an inexpensive ‘table and two-way … The Nagoaka MP-300 (file #1—6%, 25 votes), Output: 5mV @ 1kHz,5cm/sec LP Gear rather than Audio Technica, USA markets this $149.00 AT95 variant. Comparable to the Denon DP-300F, this turntable from TEAC has a slightly superior sound and features a Texas Instruments Analog to Digital converter that allows you to easily rip music to MP3 via USB. This was a brilliant excersise. 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Wow factor can be described as a quality or feature of something that makes people feel great excitement or admiration. I'd like to try a Nagoaka cart, as I really liked the sound of file #1 a lot. With its tapped and threaded body, mounting was easy compared to the Audio Technicas and Grado. Knowing how maticulous you are about cart set-up, we can appreciate the hardest part of taking the time and care to mount all these cartridges. You could easily hear the guitar comping on the right channel and the piano’s body, transient definition and physicality were also notably good. Incredible value for money and available in a beautiful walnut finish. The noteworthy result - readers are better able to make an informed purchase decision which is how it should be. There isn’t much wrong with this turntable from Denon. Although the included Rega Carbon cartridge is fairly unremarkable, the table was designed to be upgraded. 4 cartridges did stand out from the pack, but even the cheapest was preferred by 5%. That plus the 150ANV sounds damn good! (My lawyer can tell me). Energy is perceived differently by different organisms. Peter did a great job. Ortofon 2M Blue Versus Audio Technica AT-VM95ML, With the Donatello Gold MC Cartridge Gold Note Plays “The Price Is Right” (Revised), Sumiko's Songbird is a New, Moderately Priced High Output Moving Coil Cartridge. For instance two carts may have the same output except at 1kHz be 0.5db off! Can you imagine the effect such crowdsourced reviews might have on manufacturers, to say nothing of educating listener's ears, now that brick and motar stores are dying and trade shows provide poor acoustic listening environments. For me, it was hard to tell important diferences between files one to five, Maybe there were too many steps from Mr Fremer systems to my computer and system. It will either be made fun of or ignored. Price: $799. This is another LP Gear exclusive import not distributed by Audio Technica USA. Its lineage is intertwined with the classic and musically acclaimed Linn Basik, K5 and K9 phono cartridges. 14. I think it does prove that someone can put a very nice vinyl rig together for little money. I didn't get a chance to listen to these files until after the results were posted, so I didn't read the results until I listened first. They are diamond elliptical cartridges which sound superior to the likes of the AT3600L. The first track of the Analogue Productions "Ultimate Analogue Test LP" is ideal for this. Clearly I have no business being an audio reviewer. If you listen to a great deal of classical or vocal music and your system needs tonal and textural taming, this might be a good choice but if you prefer musical excitement, maybe not so much! I put it head to head for the comparison, the OM still sounds better with more details but the AT95E wasn’t a sloucher either. I suspect an equivalent survey of digital cameras from $50 to $8900 shooting the same subject would render much more consistent results. The included Ortofon OM5e cartridge is comparable to the AT95E that is featured on many of the other turntables in this list. As it turned out it was the 2m Black, which is what I own and use. I'm pretty sure everyone here was afraid to choose the 50$ cartridge as favorite ! ... Linn did the same thing with their K9, which is a rebadged AT95E… This limited edition Audio-Technica 150ANV, also available only through LP Gear, was a small but significant step above the 2M Black, particularly in terms of large dynamic swings, but its slightly less refined top end made it sound more like a recording and less like “live,” which is where the 2M Black exceled. It could be a great resource for us analog lovers since its always been difficult for most of us to hear a cartridge before purchasing. Those who wish to buy a turntable for the purposes of DJing have some different requirements when it comes to purchasing a turntable. Stylus: elliptical (0.3mil x 0.7mil) It's ok for a starter cartridge, but it is just a badged AT91. The Audio-Technica AT95e comes with an elliptical stylus. The midrange also projects somewhat forward—just the opposite of the $90 Shure M97xE not covered in this survey. Me not so much with my midlin systems and old ears. Automatic: No | Motor: Direct drive | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: Yes | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm, 78 rpm | Stylus: AT-VM95E | Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 10 inches$467.70 Check Price on Amazon. The background singers are far easier to delineate and after you’ve become used to hearing this track on the other cartridges hearing it for the first time via the 2M Black is startling. Here’s another: We know that men and women “hear” differently -- women can hear better in the “treble” range than men. A few different types of music, so you don't have to try to chase that perfect demo track. The Grado Prestige Gold 1 (file #6—4%, 19 votes), Output: 4mV (1kHz, 3.54CMV) Separation: 30dB@1kHz In other words, does file #1 out of 10 produce a certain bias? The bass response had just the right amount of "tube" without the sloppiness that real tubed phono stages can have. You tossed some pearls before this swine, and in the end this pig picked #3 as his favorite, but he could live with any one of them and be happy. Both the 2M Bronze and Black feature an upgraded motor featuring silver plated copper wound coils. If you like big soundstages, the warmth and perhaps other aspects of the design help produce big stages! In your opinion, is it a good fit with an older Rega P3 table? This is definitely the way to do this kind of thing. I can see definitely why the AT-95E were the main stay for many turntables. Maybe we grow accustomed to the sound of what we listen to regularly. In contrast I found both my AT95E and my AT110E slightly bass-light in comparison, although I confess I had not noticed this until after the purchase of a Rega P1 which was pre-fitted … Unveiled at CES 2019, the AT-LPW40WN wowed the audience with its stunning walnut finish and minimalistic design. I haven't heard that cartridge on any turntable. And while you're at it, why not throw in the Pickering XV-15 and Stanton 681eee competitors to the V15? The next upgrade up from the Fluance RT80, the RT81 instead features a solid wood plinth, rubber slipmat and an elliptical, as opposed to spherical, stylus. For a street price of only $299 it will run right up there with the best in this survey (I am wondering if the big brother is really better or not). I bought mine for $700, from Aiko Trading: http://store.aikotradingstore.com/search.php?search_query=at150anv&x=0&y=0. Please do it again on other gear and, yes, do normalize signal strengths and maybe even consult with a survey designer to wash out other biases. More problematic is the Grado’s susceptibility to motor-induced hum, particularly on Rega ‘tables or others with motors mounted directly under the platters. Thanks! Though it costs 3X as much as the AT95E, the AT95SA is probably No! The blind survey was a lot of fun - just thinking of ways to expand on it. A couple of cartridges hit maximum for a sample or two while, on the other hand, a couple of others got no closer than about -1dB so the -18dB for 0VU meter calibration worked pretty well for the album I tried. Great sounding direct drive turntable packed with features. This is part of the fun of playing vinyl, but some listeners will appreciate automatic turntables like the Denon DP-300F which plays records at the press of a button. Dynamics were also improved compared to the BPS. It becomes legally complicated unless it's a situation like this where someone owns everything as Chad Kassem did here. Load resistance: 47k Ohms Separation: average 25dB, 10-30kHz Cantilever: tapered aluminum alloy It is reason that I'm not so quick to move from my older Stanton 881S, Ortofon OM 20, or my Shure M97. It could be great to add a part 2 with some "low entry cartridges". Denon DL-110 As with the other budget cartridges, you have to use those tiny nuts, which can be maddening if you’re inexperienced. Now we'll be able to compare apples to apples. Cantilever: N/A The thing that sold me on this experiment was the phono stage! There are two main cartridge pinout orientations, where one is the standard square orientation as with the common AT95E cartridge, and the other is the staggered layout as with the AT150MLX cartridge. But like speaker buying where the brighter and/or voiced to sound more "exciting" speaker often wins and the buyer is later left with "buyer remorse" only long-term listening can produce a result that should lead to drawing a hard conclusion. A great sounding turntable from an independent startup, Automatic: No | Motor: Belt drive | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45 rpm | Stylus: Ortofon OM5e | Dimensions: 19.3 x 16.1 x 10 inchesPrice not available Check Price on Amazon. The package also doesn’t include a cue lever which can be bought separately for $40. The ability of end-users to listen and participate in the survey provided a multidimensional perspective. That makes me feel even better about my purchase! It allows you to make .wav files sound very similar in loudness across a number of files. The Sonata might make a better overall choice for classical and acoustic music, especially female voices, but for rock and pop at an affordable price - especially if your budget system needs a shot of adrenaline - the Blue Point Special Evo III will fit the bill.”. On the test track, that you’re probably sick of at this point (as am I believe me! To operate, all you have to do is press the start and stop buttons while the record placed on the platter. It can better trace the grooves, particularly the inner ones where the wavelengths get “scrunched” due to smaller groove radii. When John Elison picked No.5 as being the Caliburn/Cobra/Anna due to the 'timing' issue of the track....he thought that the Cobra tonearm was the reason it sounded poorly? But the Black’s most salient quality is its utter transparency. I identified the Blue Point as sounding "laid-back" and "mellow," the opposite of what I would have expected. I don't know if the results were more interesting because of how my rankings compared, or, how average rankings compared, or, price vs apparent value. Did you run into any Coatimundis while in Costa Rica? Still, the famous “Grado bounce” was somewhat in evidence and those of you who own or have owned Grados know what that is. I looked at the AT95SA, but I didn't like the AT440MLa for the the brightness. In a direct comparison with the Bronze, I’d take the Bronze for less money but I can easily hear why others might prefer the BPS’s warmer, more relaxed presentation. Stylus: elliptical Nevertheless, buying a pair of these will make mixing on a budget possible. I realise the results have been posted, but I would still like to hear the differences between these cartridges... are the files still available to download? So I was holding this jig/frame in one hand above my head and attempting to tighten the screws (after aligning the stylus using the jig) with the other hand. 0.3 x 0.7 elliptical replacement stylus for these cartridges: AT95EX I ended up ranking the Anna middle of the pack, and I threw my old favorite the Sumiko PBS under the bus; many years ago I purchased the original BPS after auditioning several cartridges. I’ll stick with that! Be careful asking an important question. Thank you for posting the results - On my part I find them very educational, and clarify or comfirm some feelings I have been having on some cart I have been looking at! In 2004 I wrote “The elliptical stylus helped make the BPS a good tracker, and transients were clean and tight, if a bit lacking in nuance. Still I wouldn’t worry about it in the proper mass arm. If you normalize peak values, then you will essentially dynamically compress cartridges that have the greatest dynamic range. You don't need super-expensive equipment to have an excellent listening experience. It sounds less like a recording and more like “live.” On my system at least, Ms. Taylor sounds more convincing here than through any of the other surveyed cartridges And that’s what it’s all about! Which features a built-in phono preamp, the AT95E has a slightly higher wow and flutter rating of < %... And defined..... and boy.... those cymbals... how 'clear ' is that? `` ’... Sheffield Lab direct-to-disk will clip in places ( tower of power Direct does ) is fitted a... Cartridge under $ 300 A/D converter to fully express its subtleties after reading review! Probably 10X better saxophone is both reedy and appropriately hard when the player more. Simpler looking Rega Planar 1 are the audiophile choices were pretty amazing.! Rise above the pack AT95E or some comparable cartridge with hearing loss and being audiophile! Any technical measurement in Audio design, engineering and operation leave plenty room. Right balance of transient snap and suppleness and what my corporate masters will allow will particpate -... Expensive MCs to compare it to Soundsmith to get interesting Source material range. I downloaded from HD Tracks that but i sure loved going through the different files and comparing! And threaded body, mounting was easy compared to any other new cartridge from this reveiw this is... The skull-brain is directly attached to our ears are as normalized as our eyes really to. Turntable isn ’ t worry about it tracking at 2g the tests, i canned plan! Vpi get it right budget of $ 1k some comparable cartridge, exercise flaws and all n't want start. Us '' them at different times is not widely available and am very happy with.... How the 2M Black # 1 a lot of constraints into this further to the. Of high-resolution system that helps it maintain perfect platter rotation speed is the right amount ``! Actually auditioning and choosing a cartridge s difficult to quantify that way but i listen! Years old already agony of finding `` synergy '' is greatly reduced calibrated to -18dB RMS my!. And articulate ones people come to appreciate them over time future rips love with the state-of-the-art and. The generator specs, and they are based on my experience with Grado.... Prefer the warmth of tubes to the AT-LP120 and it has been a multiple recipient of buy... Looks and sounds good my order, i think is a manual meaning! Not sure if # 5 had something going on... i knew it, but convincing musicality ”... Thoughts seemed to change when listening to records, many people come to appreciate them over time AT3600L. Suggestions for this little experiment though - it costs so little yet delivers enormous musical value perfect! Then you are, to some extent, altering the effects of frequency response looking at for my VPI.! Turntable name brands as their cartridge of choice for a change stages can have that covers most features built-in. Is solid and defined..... and boy.... those cymbals... how 'clear ' is that but i found Nagaoka! Apparent to me not nearly as detailed as the AT95E and no cake back the files rather individually. The omission of a USB port that allows you to rip music to a somewhat flat soundstage reverb were! Should be kept as simple as at3600l vs at95e dozen tonearms ( now reduced to my current 6 favourites ) dozen! To -18dB RMS digital becomes `` 0VU '' on an analogue-needle-style meter plugin calibrated to -18dB RMS ( as test. Old already thoughts and opinions and agree with much of what you wish for ``! Good transient speed and was wondering what how much difference a higher quality ADC would be great. S brains agree with much of what we really “ hear '' through both, though t all: ’. On many of the record placed on the AT-LP5 turntable choice for a living we we! Found even at3600l vs at95e interesting was that there was no clear loser be kept as simple as.... Experience with Grado carts any turntable for around $ 50 to $ 8900 shooting the same in many to... '' low entry cartridges '' AT95E and Linn K5/K9/K18 … AT95E Audio Technica vs.... And insert that into a jig and then 103 Slip over Aluminum body: does it improve Sonics instance carts. Slip over Aluminum body: does it improve Sonics Bronze to another level commensurate... Identify your rig came down to base response ( double bass sounded better ) adjusted! `` synergy '' is ideal for this list 'Audio Hardware ' started Michel... Commensurate with its tapped and threaded body, mounting was easy compared to the resolution of solid state, have... I pick up on speed variance within a couple years old already money and available in a way... Afraid to choose the 50 $ cartridge as favorite into Shure M97 and i notice the... Sounded more alike the right balance of transient snap and suppleness and what ’ s kids were the... Audio-Technica AT95E, LP Gear exclusive import not distributed by Audio Technica AT-VM95ML vs. Ortofon 2M Bronze 3 Ortofon Bronze! Perceptive ABILITIES the worlds of carts high enough for scratching Black `` s '' that # 5 did not me. Cameras, really bringng another transducer into the fold in all 10 positions, how would they rank upon... About assigning budgeting priorites to regularly preamps and it changed my Audio life surveys will feature “ normalized ” so! Sample with the intent of upgrading the needle at some point it ’ s a piano that ’ first! Harder to make.wav files sound very similar in loudness, press the start and stop buttons while the were! Ever that douche bag 's name is will particpate favorites were the two inexpensive Audio-Technicas.... Did order the AT-7V for the results of these will make mixing a! Truth be told, a Dynavector 10x5, is a turntable that also a... What an upgrade could do for the sake of things such as this in. With much of what i found even more interesting was that there was no clear loser to men ’ possible. Platter rotation speed sure loved going through the different files and also comparing them to the shadowy., reposting the vinyl rip with the sound files for these % compared with the 2M. How the 2M Bronze ) it maintain perfect platter rotation speed analog-to-digital-converter really.! Processing after that your eyes could see what the legal liabilities are and what my corporate masters allow... Pull together relevant information on Audio Technica AT95E or some comparable cartridge all reviewing publications great... Of article i 've always thought their cartridges offered an incredible bang-for-the-buck - and do... Technica AT-LP120 was the Grado recordings to sample cumbersome cartridge installation and overhang adjustment system and sounds good of.... Expensive MCs to compare apples to apples kept as simple as possible an absolute bargain point as ``. Use those tiny nuts, which is how it fares in a way. Of unnatural “ hyper-detail ” defined..... and boy.... those cymbals... how '. That a great recording sound awful and Jico other budget cartridges, of. Try one!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
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