Hear my Cartridges....🎶

Man, I love the LDR! As I’ve commented previously, my favorite of all your fine cartridges, Halcro. Once again, for me and overall, the sound with the least amount of electronic artifacts as compared to the purity one hears in live sound. Beautiful sound!

Excellent comments by all and allowing for what I believe are simply personal semantics choices, I agree completely....with one caveat. Always nice to have agreement with other very astute listeners. I found Dover’s comment re the relationship between loading and capacitance very interesting.

At 15k: “nicer sound”, “coherency and timing”, “easier to follow” (!), “more controlled bass, less boomy”, “organizing” (!). I completely agree with those observations. I might describe what I hear the following way (semantics); and to get the caveat out of the way:

Dover is exactly right. While I do agree that the sound at 15k is smoother there are moments when I find the sound of strings to be “a little too warm” and rounded even if “more fleshed out”. However, this is subtle and handily compensated for by the superior coherency and better controlled and less boomy bass. A fascinating effect of 47K is that bass and organ seem to be thrust forward in the soundstage.  Besides sounding less controlled and somewhat boomy, the basses don’t occupy their correct place in relation to the upper strings, but are too forward both in placement as well as character. Likewise, the organ at times sounds to be in front of the orchestra as opposed to behind as it should. 47K seems to fragment the various sections of the orchestra (and organ) in an unnatural way. Soundstage is set back slightly at 15K compared to 47K’s more forward presentation. However, 15K “organizes” the sound in a more realistic way; more “coherent”, for a much more realistic sense of a typical orchestral “spread”. All this makes musical interplay “easier to follow” and gives a better sense of rhythmic impetus; ultimately, the most important considerations.

Excellent comments, gentlemen and thanks again to Halcro for the fascinating comparison.

Stay safe, all.

Dear
@frogman   LDR is indeed a v special cartridge, definitely worth considering if funds permit. BTW I think @halcro should get some  $$ from London for all the promotional job he has done ;)
It is stimulating (as always!) to read your impressions. Interestingly how we interpret "organizing" here. For me, 15K was slightly better organizing the sounds in the sound spectrum while for you in space :) Sort of complementary views: frequency vs localization. I re-listened several times but honestly could not detect the pipe organ moving in front/behind the orchestra, but I'm admittedly not very sensitive to spatial information (have definitely sth to learn here).  In some churches the organ is actually at the back or on a side. Interesting how this particular record was recorded, where was the organ? Halcro, any chance to dig that info out :) ?

Most people don't have the opportunity to hear different types of cartridges side by side in the same System.
Our aural memories are notoriously 'short'.....
If you replace your aged MM cartridge with a brand new MC cartridge....it is natural that you will hear a difference and be impressed 🤩
Very few do it in reverse and change out an 'old' MC to replace it with a 'new' MM design....

Many have difficulty understanding those of us who have multiple cartridges (let alone multiple turntables and arms) as most people assume that you would listen only to the BEST cartridge in any collection.
I don't hold the view that there is a single 'BEST' cartridge out of the thousands that have been produced over the last 50 years or so 🤔
To me, every really good cartridge (of whatever type).....offers a potentially 'different' presentation of the same recording.
I can happily listen to all these 'variations' without missing 'the others' because I gain different perspectives and nuances into the actual recordings.

Here are four very different cartridges playing the same track.
I selected this Bob Marley track so that you DON'T concentrate on the 'reality' of the instruments or other artifacts...but just sit back and HEAR the differing presentations and hopefully gain some appreciation for the beauties of the magnetic phono cartridge 🤗

VINTAGE MM CARTRIDGE

VINTAGE LOMC CARTRIDGE

CURRENT MI CARTRIDGE

CURRENT LOMC CARTRIDGE 

Observations -

Victor XI - enoyable to listen to but horribly coloured. Enjoyment wears off rapidly due to the colourations.

Sony XL88D - wondered why it sounded so grainy, then I went to the start and confirmed Victor/SAEC combo. Sorry Halcro - this cartridge in my view needs to go on the Cobra/Raven. Bucketloads of musical detail, nuance, but grain prevented enjoyment. If you cant put it on the Cobra, try the Dynavector. I think you will find the Dynavector puts flesh on the bones and much more solid foundation than the SAEC. The XL88D was mounted on my TT in the early 80's - the SAEC/Audiocraft arms were easily surpassed by the Dynavector/Sony combo. ( see TAS vol 8 June 1983 ).

Decca - most enjoyable

Palladium - disappointing on this track. Seems coloured, closed in, lacking openness.

Many have difficulty understanding those of us who have multiple cartridges (let alone multiple turntables and arms) as most people assume that you would listen only to the BEST cartridge in any collection.

As an owner of many cartridges/arms/turntables, I would temper that by saying that the various combos have to be to a common standard. I find in practise that if a cartridge is too coloured or idiosyncratic, I lose interest in listening.

I don't hold the view that there is a single 'BEST' cartridge out of the thousands that have been produced over the last 50 years or so 🤔

True, nothings perfect, but in sifting through the options I look for musical enjoyment, and least distruction of musical timbre, timing etc.

Very few do it in reverse and change out an 'old' MC to replace it with a 'new' MM design....

I did. After following Rauls MM/MC thread for some time I purchased a Victor X1 ( mint with original cantilever/stylus ) and Glanz MFG61. Dont listen to either of them any more.
The only non MC's I would listen to long term would be the Decca and upper end of Soundsmith range which I like.

Thanks for the interesting comments Dover 🤔
I don't think I hear the same things as you do....or perhaps, I don't perceive them the same way...?
When you say the Victor X-1II is "horribly coloured".....I perceive it as a typically 'MM presentation' compared to that of a MC.
Bob and the ladies are pushed back towards the band compared to the forward projection of them with the Sony XL-88D.
There is also a 'rounding off' and softening of his voice in comparison again with the Sony.....
Whilst you elect to call it "coloured".....I hear it as 'added presence' and 'midrange body' which the typical MC cartridge rarely gets right.
The extended 'detail' with the percussion (particularly on the edges) is to me, just a common 'trick' of most MCs intended to impress the listeners and convince them that they are hearing more information....🤥
If you listen carefully......you're not 🤗
Enjoyment with the Victor, for me....doesn't wear off.

Your comments re: the Sony XL-88D are more puzzling.....
Firstly, I simply don't hear "the grain" you mention 😶
Last year, when you heard the Sony XL-88D in the heavy FR-S3 headshell on the SAEC Tonearm, you commented:

Then comparing the Sony XL88D to the Decca - wow. More transparent and the majesty of the performance and the completeness of the full orchestral spectrum conveyed by the Sony is fabulous. There appears to be more chest/body with the choristers from the Decca, but the vocals from uppermids to top end on the Sony appear far more transparent. As the full orchestra comes in the Sony is simply wonderful, the most complete cartridge for me of the three..    

At this point I am done with comparisons - could you please just send me the Sony for Xmas. Now back to the music....

What has changed....?