2. analog
  3. 138595-96357

Difference in sound using different carts when digitizing vinyl record?

Hello A'goners .......

I hope I am posting it in the right forum!

Here is my question - this is a hypothetical situation - if I digitize my vinyl record  while the record is played using any cart (cart #1) and then again play and digitize the same record using a different cart (cart #2), am I going to hear any sound difference typically attributed to two different carts? Everything else remain same in both cases i.e. the turntable, phono stage, DAC, preamp, amp, speakers, and all cables. The software to digitize is the same with identical setting. 

Did anyone of you do this or similar experiment? I am curious to know.

I bought a Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1. I am wondering because of the conversion to A to D and then again D to A, it there a possibility that the sound differences from different carts are not so significant anymore?  Right now I do not have two carts, so can not do the experiment myself and report the results here. That is why I am asking the question and hoping to get some reasonable answers.  Please pardon my lack of technical knowledge.  

I would appreciate if we stay focused on the topic while discussing this. I do not want a debate of why I or anyone wants to convert analog to digital or one format is better sounding than the other.

Thanks and have a good day :)
 


128x128confuse_upgraditis
tkr
100 posts
 
The answer to the OP´s question is yes, of course you will hear a difference if the two cartridges sound different.
IMO you will hear a difference even when recorded at 16/44.1, and from my own experience you certainly hear it when recorded at 24/96.
tkr
100 posts
 
I have done this, and there are audible differences. I will try to upload some files to my dropbox-account later today. They will be 16/44.1 recordings, as there is no point in uploading 24/96-files if people  aren´t able to play them. 
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
In one word, "Absolutely". I down load my vinyl collection to hard drive, and after substantially upgrading the analog, it’s necessary to do it all over again if I want to hear the improvements.

My turntable is in the basement on a concrete floor where all recording is done; be it reel to reel or down loading to hard drive; playback is reel, or PC.  


wcfeil
464 posts
 
>>Cartridge is the most important part in analog chain<<

That is incorrect. The table/arm combination is far more important. 

In fact an excellent table/arm and average cartridge will outperform an average table/arm and excellent cartridge all day long. 
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
@wcfeil, the definition of “average” is subjective. Would you consider an average cartridge a $60 AT95E or a $260 Grado Gold 2 or $750 Ortofon 2M Black, or a $1200 Sumiko Blackbird?

Similarly for turntables and arms, what would you offer as “average”?

My belief is that the law of diminishing returns applies here like in most other areas of hifi. While exceptional results could be obtained for a total outlay of $10K, the sweet spot is probably around $1.5~$2K. 
More to discover