04-18-10: Tbg
Apparently, Ortofon is going to have to stick with the maximum of 500 A90s. It is some limitation in the manufacturing process. I thought the A90 was a limited edition of 400? The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) manufacturing process shouldn't impose any limitation - apart from access to an SLM machine. But I'd expect availability to be on the increase as this is an emerging technology. |
RE: Gallant_diva, UNIverse vs. A90
I Just replaced a UNIverse with an A90 after discovering my Zyx's stylus had vanished (literally).
My opinion is tempered a little by the fact that my Ortofon still only has about 50 hours on it. However, my system never sounded better than when I had an optimized, broken-in UNIverse mounted on my Kuzma Airline.
That may change as the A90 loosens up and/or I become familiar with its optimal tracking and VTA/SRA.
The A90 is still a wonderful cartridge!
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I think it is a matter of access to the machine. I was told 500 but this may be wrong. I am very happy to have one. |
Ok, my vinyl setup is all complete with Reed 2P tonearm and the A90. I posted details on my system. I have had about 30 hours on the A90. It opened up after the first 2 hours and was singing well at 10 hours. For one thing, I had not heard better bass on vinyl prior to this. The sound of the "Dead Can Dance" fills the room with instruments placed in the 3D soundstage with geometric precision. On Jun Fukamachi At Steinway, the Piano appeared holographically between the two speakers, rendering each key with utmost precision and tremendous power.......awesome stuff...........more coming.
Take a look at the A90 picture I posted on my system. |
Wow, lots of tubes! I hate you as you are so organized. I agree with you entirely about the Ortofon A90. I still want to try the Decca Reference, however. |
tbg: What Decca Reference are you refering to? |
I have been reading this thread with interest. Since there are so many versions of the Reeds it would be very helpful to know which (effective mass) to attribute the different observations of with the different cartridges, tracking forces for the A90 etc. Since there are three overall models, six or more different woods and various options which change the arm from 12g effective mass all the way to 33g I believe this would bring greater practical knowledge. IMHO, FWIW etc... |
Gallant, I should have said the London Decca Reference, although I am not aware of any other Decca Reference. |
Audioblazer....Did you try the A90 with the brass or aluminum headshell weight on your schroder 2 ?
I am looking at the A90 for my mdl 2 (with pertinex wand), & I think
the azimuth is a pain to set on tis arm
for any cartridge since it can throw off the VTF when you
rotate the counterweight. |
My schroeder 2fw ( with reference magnet) comes with aluminium headshell. Yes , you are right, its certainly a pain using schroeder 2 tonearm, that is why I m selling it off once I receive my raven 10.5 tonearm. Its difficult to set the VTA accurate, changing 1 parameter affects another. However, its sounded reasonably good with A90. Certainly better than my allaerts mc1b, which is of 1st class construction |
Audioblazer, I'm using the new Bergman Sindre tt with a straight line tracking arm. Like the Walker tt, the asimuth and overhang are set by loosening the screws holding either the cartridge or the arm tube. So a change in one affects the other. How fondly I remember my Wheaton tone arm with asimuth easily dialed on and vta so easily done with a calibrating indication.
I have no idea how the Ortofon A-90 sounds on other tonearms but mine certainly sounds better than any cartridge, arm, and turntable, I have ever heard. I have a Decca Jubilee cartridge that sounded great on the Loricraft tt and Schroeder arm. I would like to try it on the Bergman but it was a pain to get the A-90 done right. |
I finally installed my Ortofon A90 yesterday and right off the bat it sounds fantastic. Note I'm upgrading from a $500 Dynavector Karat 17D3 so it SHOULD be a quantum leap, which it is.
Every single parameter is bettter: Soundstage width & depth, more natural timbres, better bass, and just sheer musicality.
I'm very happy with this cartridge. It's definitely one of biggest improvements I've heard in my system. What a huge upside surprise. Kudos to Ortofon. |
Enzo618: Glad to know that. I am running my AR90 VTF between 1.8 and 1.9 on my Reed arm |
have some estimated 10 hours on my A90, set at 100 Ohms with 2,15 VTF.
it is an amazing cart really, Airline & A90 is a dream combo.
i'm buying a second example. just in case. |
Last weekend several friends from Houston were up and said that they had their Ortofon A-90s set a 2.01 grams. I tried it and actually set it at 2.02 grams. I did have to raise the VTA up to compensate, of course. Overall, I am most happy with the improvements ignoring Ortofon's recommendations. All of us have straight line tracking arms. They have Rockports, and I have the Bergman. |
Has anyone paired the A90 with an SME V (I'll also be using a Tom Evans "The Groove+)??? Thoughts on this? Thanks...!! |
..sounds like there is a lot of interest in the A90. I'm sure in a few months, other manufacturers will build cartridges using the A90 techniques. It drives one nuts trying to stay at the cutting edge.... |
I think trying to "stay at the cutting edge" is now, more than ever, unproductive. Change happens in this industry much faster than it used to, and the incremental changes are just that--incremental. The word "value" has to come into the decision-making process at some point, I think, and chasing the latest, most popular cartridge cannot be defined as a value.
For example, at RMAF last week, I, as many here on Audiogon did, got a chance to listen to the A90 in the same system and on the same turntable as the new Allnic Puritas cartridge (in Steve Dobbins' room). For me, I really preferred the Allnic, which was sort of surprising based on all the rave reviews of the A90. I have a feeling the new Allnic will be getting a lot of buzz over the next year as the A90 did last year. Such is condition we find ourselves in! What will 2011 bring in cartridges? Who knows, but I think just choosing one and having the discipline to tell yourself you bought it because you truly enjoyed it should be enough. Such discipline will save money and heartache, but it will be tough! |
Kipdent,
That Dobbins room was one of my three favorite at RMAF. Steve was kind enough to play two of my LPs. I preferred the Allic Puritas on simple female vocals and the A90 on acoustic bass and piano. Others in the room agreed. I think the fact that the differences were easy to identify is a testament to the quality of the system and to his "The Beat" turntable. It was a wonderful sounding room. |
Kipdent why would it be so tough , if one enjoys a good cartridge in the system and you enjoy your music, thats what its all about , if people run after some reviewers and chase for what its best over and over than the journey can be painful and not enjoyable.
To me those differences are often exxagerated , on a certain level you are not talking not good or way better .
I think there is more to be won in speakerdesign actually. |
I have had the opportunity to set up and hear the A90 a few times over the last few weeks. The sound is very good. What is a little nagging are reports that the QC is not quite what it should be and there are variations in samples. If anyone has taken a look at the stylus of the A90 it is not hard to see how setting the rake angle with any precision is next to impossible. All one can really do is level the body and play. This may be why the price is where it is. Even so, the A90 is a good performer and has a sound many will find satisfying. If I were looking for another cartridge the A90 would be on that list. |
I definitely dissagree with Andromedaaudio's view. I love my altairs, I love my walker, I love my VTL and Gena labs and every other portion of my system. But the biggest improvement without question occured with the cart change. Not even close. The improvement was immediate! It was a quantum leap forward. All other changes were incrimental % improvements. We all have a right to our own opinion. I have tried several different cart. and heard their sounds. But $ for $, change for change, the biggest bang for the buck, in a vinyl system, my system, is the cart.(goldfinger). To my hearing. |
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Peterayer--
I completely agree with your assessment of Steve Dobbins' room. I would have to say it was my favorite at the show.
I happened to prefer the Allnic with piano music, too, however. But that's just me! When I closed my eyes, it sounded moor like what I hear when I play my piano every day.
This setup made RMAF very fun this year! The real comparisons you could do compared to the Schroeder/Talea event were much more gratifying.
Kip |
Quantum mechanics they do at the LHC Cern in switserland (this is a joke dont take it serious ) |
Koegz,
Traded in my 10 year old Insider Ref wood body about 4 months ago on a Goldfinger V2 and slapped it on the Walker. I was really concerned about the huge increase in horizontal mass this introduced into the equation because I also had to add two additional counterweights to balance the tonearm. I realize now that, counterintuitively, the Walker seems much more happy and "assured" toting around all the extra mass. Sound to die for. |
