Comments on: Having An Issue With Your Turntable Playback? It Might Be Your Phono Cartridge Setup https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/ everything hi-fi Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:39:24 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 By: ORT https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182455 Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:39:24 +0000 https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182455 One of my ‘tables is a fully frAutomatic Direct Drive Technics with a *GASP* P Mount cartridge.

It’s looks are mild but I like them better than that “thing” Bro-Ject put on my Essential III Sgt. Poopers 50th setup. The OM10, well…the entire “series” of OM are F U G L Y.

The OM looks like a fishing lure for catching stoopid fish. If I had now how I would despise it (I have not used the table in nearly a year now after replacing the belt as I cannot look at that “thing” on the bidness end of the arm of tone.

I would rather have a P Mount than any OM.

I have not slept in a couple of days now. Yeah…I am grumpy but truth be told the OM deserves derision. The P Mount is nice enough but as I maintain that the majority of frAudiophiles love to self-flagellate and cartridges are but one way of accomplishing their mission. In general they are lost when it comes to beauty in audio equipment.

Don’t beweive me? Just look at some of their 300lb turntables that look like Robby the Robot humped an off brand Chicom robot vac and forgot to wear his resistor. Contrast that poop with Data from Star Trek TNG hooking up with “Honey West”. No offspring but you can bet they listened to vinyl on a Pro-Ject X2 in walnut…CLASS.

ORT

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By: Mike Cornell https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182396 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 19:04:13 +0000 https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182396 To clarify re:#2….it seemed to imply that you should choose your tonearm so that it would be compatible with your cartridge and I was saying that, as most turntables alsteady come with tonearms, it makes more sense to choose a cartridge that is compatible with the tonearm you already have. Adjustability can only go so far if your cartridge is too compliant for your tonearm or too light/heavy with respect to the supplied counterweight. Anyway, all good points; keep up the great work, Ian!

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By: Ian White https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182365 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:21:51 +0000 https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182365 In reply to Mike Cornell.

Mike,

Good catch on #1. It was actually an editing error on my part. I didn’t move the paragraph up as it was supposed to be.

As far for #2, manufacturers have actually started to listen and now offer tonearms on even entry-level decks that can be adjusted. Are you getting everything? Not really, but I think most of the entry-level decks use either Audio-Technica or Ortofon (hate the 2M Red) cartridges that were selected specifically for that arm.

I don’t think consumers buying $300 turntables should necessarily drop $500 on a cartridge upgrade (nor do I think most would ever do it) but I do believe that spending a little more on a better cart, phono stage, and spending the time on proper set-up goes a long way long-term.

Best,

Ian White

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By: Mike Cornell https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182363 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:04:44 +0000 https://www.ecoustics.com/ask-an-expert/phono-cartridge-setup/#comment-182363 Hi Ian….a couple of nit piks: I would think you should balance the tonearm before setting the stylus pressure as opposed to the order suggested in the article 😀. Also, as most turntables, especially those bought by folks new to the vinyl experience come with tonearms and tonearms are not easily (if that’s even possible) changed, one should choose the right cartridge for the tonearm, not the other way around. Good points all around though about the importance of setting things up properly to get the best vinyl experience! Cheers!

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