So it looks like I am the only one who picked Video A over B, and A is the 3012R arm that a lot of people like so much and own. So how come those 3012R owners did not pick that combination? This only tells me that the test is just plain invalid - nothing new from this vantage point. I called Video B bad because it so obviously lacking in dynamic headroom, making it sound flatter. Really hate these MP3 tests, using mediocre microphones to capture anything but a small frequency range
EDIT: Dynamic headroom aside, in terms of pure quality of sound, both videos just plain suck, but feel free to disagree and praise MP3
Tasos, the purpose of posting these two videos was not to have some "test" or to form definitive opinions about either one of these two tonearms. I simply wanted to present a comparative pair of videos with only one variable changing (my fault for not matching volume) much like Tang has done when I asked him to post videos of two different cartridges in his system.
The purpose was to share the music, add some context to my system for those who have not heard it, and to see if they would encourage a discussion about the two arms. As I wrote, this thread had been inactive for two years and was started four years ago. I felt the thread needed to be revised given my progress in obtaining a 3012R for my own system and now having the ability to directly compare it to my V-12. A bonus for me would be if we actually learn something in the process of this discussion.
What I do find interesting is that you seem to hear the two videos differently than do some of the other listeners, and as a result, you clearly prefer the video that others do not. This may be a reflection of the different methods we have used to evaluate the videos. Did you ever have a chance to listen again via headphones? Your preference may also be a result of a different reference at home. To my ears, video A more closely resembles what I hear when I listen to your audio system. In other words, your system to me has more of the sonic attributes I hear from video A than I hear from video B.
Also interesting to me is that people have told me that they listen to quite a few of these phone videos of audio systems and actually think these of this choral music (and the solo cello) are actually not bad. No one is saying they are great, by any means, just that they are enjoyable to hear. This general consensus is far removed from your comment that "both videos just plain suck". It is fine to have such an opinion and to share it, but I wonder why you make such a strong statement here and not in all of the other such discussions about phone videos of other systems. Is it something about these two arms that you dislike, or is it something about my recording methods? You opinion really seems at odds with those of others in this thread and with those I have received in private.
I will agree that there is no reason to praise MP3 regarding sound quality. Convenience and accessibility is a different matter.