What Cartridge(s) Is Everyone Using
- Thread starter Steve Williams
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Gorgeous! That combination is easily one of my favorites, aesthetically (haven't heard it yet). Makes it look higher end than its position in the line.
I added Van den Huls to my collection late last year - really like them. Have a Colibri just like yours too. For me, it was a NIGHTMARE at first. Went through a phase where the body would suddenly start "shaking" and jump out of the groove. Tried many arms, and different VTFs. This Colibri has "for VPI 10.5i / Classic 3 arm" right on its box, and I even put it on THAT VERY ARM to no avail. In the end, I had to let it sit in the groove at rest overnight several times before its suspension mellowed out and started tracking again. Then it was at least staying in the groove, but went through a new phase of being a sibilant mess, ugh (through dozens of other cartridge setups, sibilance had always been a non-issue). Now with more hours, and some additional VTA adjustments, that's settled down too. It seems to really like the VPI Fatboy 12" Uni w/ dual pivot mod.
Anyways, it's really been turning around and starting to sound glorious. All 3 VdH's (also: Frog Gold and Crimson XGW Stradivarius) have been no better than mediocre at the start - and Colibri was the worst of all. Every time, I started out thinking "there must be something wrong with this one", but fortunately stuck with it long enough to see the payoff. I've not experienced such an extreme need for run-in with other brand cartridges. Other cartridges I want to try next:
* Colibri Master Signature or Grand Cru (obviously)
* Air Tight PC-1
* Dynavector XX-2 Mk 2 / XV-1s / Te Kaitora Rua
* Hana Umami (either color)
* Grado (Master 3 or above)
* Vintage super-low output Ortofons - they are super hard to amplify but I have a plan
* Ortofon SPUs
* SoundSmith
* Lyra
* AT (higher end MCs)
It just sucks I can't really clean those exposed coils without risking damage
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Yes, i am really careful when cleaning the diamond, and happy i don't have a wife at the moment !Gorgeous! That combination is easily one of my favorites, aesthetically (haven't heard it yet). Makes it look higher end than its position in the line.
I added Van den Huls to my collection late last year - really like them. Have a Colibri just like yours too. For me, it was a NIGHTMARE at first. Went through a phase where the body would suddenly start "shaking" and jump out of the groove. Tried many arms, and different VTFs. This Colibri has "for VPI 10.5i / Classic 3 arm" right on its box, and I even put it on THAT VERY ARM to no avail. In the end, I had to let it sit in the groove at rest overnight several times before its suspension mellowed out and started tracking again. Then it was at least staying in the groove, but went through a new phase of being a sibilant mess, ugh (through dozens of other cartridge setups, sibilance had always been a non-issue). Now with more hours, and some additional VTA adjustments, that's settled down too. It seems to really like the VPI Fatboy 12" Uni w/ dual pivot mod.
Anyways, it's really been turning around and starting to sound glorious. All 3 VdH's (also: Frog Gold and Crimson XGW Stradivarius) have been no better than mediocre at the start - and Colibri was the worst of all. Every time, I started out thinking "there must be something wrong with this one", but fortunately stuck with it long enough to see the payoff. I've not experienced such an extreme need for run-in with other brand cartridges. Other cartridges I want to try next:
* Colibri Master Signature or Grand Cru (obviously)
* Air Tight PC-1
* Dynavector XX-2 Mk 2 / XV-1s / Te Kaitora Rua
* Hana Umami (either color)
* Grado (Master 3 or above)
* Vintage super-low output Ortofons - they are super hard to amplify but I have a plan
* Ortofon SPUs
* SoundSmith
* Lyra
* AT (higher end MCs)
View attachment 123677 View attachment 123678
It just sucks I can't really clean those exposed coils without risking damage
Interesting technique. Did you think of this or is it a 'VdH thing'?
You have your work cut out for you hehe.
Not a VdH thing, as far as I'm aware. I'd read of other audiophiles doing this, though it's been a while since I've seen mention of it. Seemed like a good idea to me. It might not be as effective as real groove runtime, but it certainly does something, and I'm hesitant to just leave it spinning in an end groove. Besides that "pop" whacking the stylus (asymetrically!) every 2 seconds, the end groove run allows dust and detritus to accumulate in there over time, without the cleaning interventions you'd normally do (once per side). Also, god forbid it jumps out of that groove somehow during the night, and spends hours either eating label or banging against the center weight. By just "resting" on a groove, the suspension sees most of the usual runtime load (static VTF dominates drag forces and groove modulations), with no risk.
I've thought about getting the Cardas burn-in disc, but fear it might have similar issues as the end-groove run?
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680/ 681, 780/ 781 and 785 are moving iron, 880/ 881, 885, 890/ 891, 980/ 981 and CS-100 are moving magnet.
I heard Ortofon MC 2000, MC 3000, MC 5000 and 75th Anniversary model on my setup. I didn’t have a nice SUT back then but none of them sounded impressive. 75th Anniversary model was slightly better than the others though. Tonearm was SME V.
BTW photos you shared are gorgeous.
On the FR-64S is my old Kiseki Blue, a Soundsmith rebuilt one.
40 years old, now better than ever.
This one recently joined my collection
I have the following cartridges, could be too much
Goldfinger statement MC 025
VDH Grand Cru
Opus 1
ZYX Astro 1 ohm
Kondo IOXP
Koetsu Coralstone Diamond
Lyra Atlas Lambda SL
Goldfinger statement MC 025
VDH Grand Cru
Opus 1
ZYX Astro 1 ohm
Kondo IOXP
Koetsu Coralstone Diamond
Lyra Atlas Lambda SL
That brings back memories. Back in the 1970s I had a Decca 4RC and Decca Mk5. Deccas are truly amazing on many records.
If you get the opportunity to listen to one of the vintage Ortofon SL cartridges then go ahead.
There is something special about the various SL15 and SL20 incarnations, it's the sound of first generation SPUs:
Best regards, Tony
There is something special about the various SL15 and SL20 incarnations, it's the sound of first generation SPUs:
Best regards, Tony
Another one of these vintage SLs:
I found this one in Belgium, it's a N.O.S. Ortofon SL15 ELL in an M shell and it sounds very good.
Best regards, Tony
I found this one in Belgium, it's a N.O.S. Ortofon SL15 ELL in an M shell and it sounds very good.
Best regards, Tony
Just swapped my beloved Miyajima Laboratory Kunsui cartridge with new Madake cartridge.
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