The sibilance is across both channels. But it does seem more pronounced on the right channel.
The vta is set so that when i put the miniature vdH spirit level along the top of the cartridge, the bubble is exactly in the middle.
Would you advise going up or down?
You should try the 9GSS Ikeda Cart on the 407. Very dynamic. I'm loving mine.You may well be onto something Peter.
And thank you very much for taking the time to discuss the issue with a like- minded friend.
This arm and cartridge were not purchased to work as a pair, for the reason you have given. I intend to place a Fuuga on the Ikeda, and the (or a different) Colibri on a Schroeder LT.
The Ikeda and this Colibri were bought as the two less expensive, first rungs on my twin turntable ladder, so very much a temporary marriage of convenience at the time.
I have a Schroeder LT on order, but with about a ten month lead time.
In the meantime i bought another preowned Colibri, this one with the Stradivarius finish and designed to work with a heavyweight arm. I found this to be technically superior but less enjoyable, with greater extension at both frequency extremes, but the treble was just too forward, and the bass too laid back. However, as we have established, at the time i did not have it correctly aligned, which is likely a significant factor, and the bass presentation was determined by the type of wood used in the body, with my basic African Grenaille wood variant being noticeably more forward in the mid bass than my Koa Strad (heavyweight arm variant)
As ever in my tales, the IB wildcard makes it's presence known; during cleaning the Koa Strad some clumsy doughnut (me) mistook the tiny coils for cat hairs, and gently plucked them off
I will get this heavyweight arm variant Strad sent off and repaired, and then try again with that. Which also helps move me A step closer towards a Master Signature like you have, Peter; my contact has a Brazilian Pau wood MS Strad that i have my eye on, but again that won't be happy with the Ikeda, so the upgrade will likely happen once i take delivery of my Schroeder LT.
This does all make sense now. As i was raising and lowering vta, i would pass through zones where everything else really sounded noticeably better; bass was taunt and firm, vocals became sweet and airy, there's a real snap to the beat and I'm thinking, this is the best I've ever heard vinyl sound, please let this be the correct setting.....and then like a child on a train with their nose pressed up against the window as they whizz pass a funfair, the disappointment rises as a single distorted instrument line confirms that no, you will not be getting off at this stop...
That is the mutts nuts Howie
Yup. My tables is black and gold and my SME 3012 is too so it was an aesthetic choice more than anything else. The cartridge is gold anyway I believe. Send me a PM if you are interested. You might be surprised at the price.That is the mutts nuts Howie
So both arm and cartridge are gold?
Thank you Peter, i will try again when I've walked the dogs.
I'm not using any antiskate, i can't seem to set it so that it doesn't pull the arm back across to the outer edge when the arm is raised and positioned ready to play. I will bare down on this this evening, then try the vta as you have described
Thank you again
Some of the recurring pleasures of posting here are the glimpses of other members' lives outside of this interest. Especially when they are pursued with the same focus and perfectionism that is required to achieve success on their audio journeys
Is it especially gratifying that your godson shares your passion for sailing?
Your tonearm is in the wrong position. Your have to turn the tonearm more to the outer side. If you move the arm to the record start, the small pin should not have started to touch the antiskating weight. This should happen with the first grooves.
Than you are able to use antiskating without have a problem to move down the arm in the beginning of the record.
If you look into vdh FAQ section, you can read, that a VDH cart should run with 1/3 of VTF as Antiskating measure as a start.
VTA should be like 3mm higher on the back of the arm as a start.
I assume, that you still use a lighter wood headshell to lower the effective mass of the 407 and to increase the damping .
Headshell wires should be pure copper, no silver.
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