Dear Nandric, I do not wish to dwell on ālinguistic constructionsā, but Iād say phono cartridges as a species could be called ādelicateā. Meaning not much is required to destroy their proper working. However there are huge differences within the species. I would describe cartridges like SPU and FR7 as ārobustā, while the Victor would probably fall in the āfragileā camp. Believe me, I have a firm grasp on its meaning! Operating a vdHul Colibri for years has been most educational......
Who needs a Diamond Cantilever...? š
So suddenly, there seems to be a trend for Uber-LOMC cartridges released with Diamond Cantilevers...š±
As if the High-End MC cartridges were not already overpriced....?!
Orofon have released the MC-ANNA-DIAMOND after previously releasing the Limited Edition MC-CENTURY...also with Diamond Cantilever.
Then thereās the KOETSU BLOODSTONE PLATINUM and DYNAVECTOR KARAT 17D2 and ZYX ULTIMATE DIAMOND and probably several more.
But way back in 1980....Sony released a Diamond-Cantilevered version of its fine XL-88 LOMC Cartridge.
Imaginatively....they named this model the XL-88D and, because it was the most expensive phono cartridge in the world (costing 7500DM which was more expensive than a Volkswagen at the time)....Sony, cleverly disguised this rare beast to look EXACTLY like its ācheapā brother with its complex hybrid cantilever of "special light metal held by a carbon-fibre pipe both being held again by a rigid aluminium pipe".
The DIAMOND CANTILEVER on the 88D however......was a thing of BEAUTY and technological achievement, being formed from ONE PIECE OF DIAMOND including the stylus š¤Æšš½
Iāve owned the XL-88 for many years and recently discovered that it was my best (and favourite) cartridge when mounted in the heavy Fidelity Research S-3 Headshell on the SAEC WE-8000/ST 12" Tonearm around my VICTOR TT-101 TURNTABLE.
Without knowing this in advance.....I would not have been prepared to bid the extraordinary prices (at a Japanese Auction Site) that these rare cartridges keep commanding.
To find one in such STUNNING CONDITION with virtually no visible wear was beyond my expectations š
So how does it sound.....?
Is there a difference to the standard XL-88?
Is the Diamond Cantilever worth the huge price differential?
Is the Pope a Catholic....?
This cartridge simply āblows my mindā...which is hard to do when Iāve had over 80 cartridges on 10 different arms mounted on two different turntables š¤Æ
As Syntax said on another Thread:-
But now Iāve bought myself a nightmarish scenario.......
There is no replacement stylus for this cartridge!
There is no replacement cantilever for this cartridge!
Each time I play records with it, I am ākillingā it a bit more š„“š„
If I knew how long I had left to live......I could program my ālistening sessionsā š¤Ŗ
But failing this.....I canāt help but feel slightly uncomfortable listening to this amazing machine.
As if the High-End MC cartridges were not already overpriced....?!
Orofon have released the MC-ANNA-DIAMOND after previously releasing the Limited Edition MC-CENTURY...also with Diamond Cantilever.
Then thereās the KOETSU BLOODSTONE PLATINUM and DYNAVECTOR KARAT 17D2 and ZYX ULTIMATE DIAMOND and probably several more.
But way back in 1980....Sony released a Diamond-Cantilevered version of its fine XL-88 LOMC Cartridge.
Imaginatively....they named this model the XL-88D and, because it was the most expensive phono cartridge in the world (costing 7500DM which was more expensive than a Volkswagen at the time)....Sony, cleverly disguised this rare beast to look EXACTLY like its ācheapā brother with its complex hybrid cantilever of "special light metal held by a carbon-fibre pipe both being held again by a rigid aluminium pipe".
The DIAMOND CANTILEVER on the 88D however......was a thing of BEAUTY and technological achievement, being formed from ONE PIECE OF DIAMOND including the stylus š¤Æšš½
Iāve owned the XL-88 for many years and recently discovered that it was my best (and favourite) cartridge when mounted in the heavy Fidelity Research S-3 Headshell on the SAEC WE-8000/ST 12" Tonearm around my VICTOR TT-101 TURNTABLE.
Without knowing this in advance.....I would not have been prepared to bid the extraordinary prices (at a Japanese Auction Site) that these rare cartridges keep commanding.
To find one in such STUNNING CONDITION with virtually no visible wear was beyond my expectations š
So how does it sound.....?
Is there a difference to the standard XL-88?
Is the Diamond Cantilever worth the huge price differential?
Is the Pope a Catholic....?
This cartridge simply āblows my mindā...which is hard to do when Iāve had over 80 cartridges on 10 different arms mounted on two different turntables š¤Æ
As Syntax said on another Thread:-
When you have 2 identical carts, one regular cantilever and the other one with diamond cantilever (Koetsu Stones for example), the one with diamond cantilever shows more details, is a bit sharper in focus and the soundstage is a bit deeper and wider. They can sound a bit more detailed overall with improved dynamicsIāll leave it at that for the time being. I will soon upload to YouTube, the sound comparisons between the two Sony versions on my HEAR MY CARTRIDGES THREAD.
But now Iāve bought myself a nightmarish scenario.......
There is no replacement stylus for this cartridge!
There is no replacement cantilever for this cartridge!
Each time I play records with it, I am ākillingā it a bit more š„“š„
If I knew how long I had left to live......I could program my ālistening sessionsā š¤Ŗ
But failing this.....I canāt help but feel slightly uncomfortable listening to this amazing machine.
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- 358 posts total
Dear @halcroĀ : Yes, the ceramic SAEC headshells are way resonant but the 8000 was designed with that angled headshell and its low weigth. The S3 headshell you are using is the one you like it with the 88D but ( again ) that " alive " you mentioned maybe is not all about music sound but added distortions. Look, I owned that S3 and owned other similar " functions " headshell and both makes more harm to the sound that almost goes against qualityperformance: in the S3 headshell does not exist a direct intimate contact between the cartridge top plate and the headshell body because the cartridge is mounted in a separated metal plate and is here where the cartridge is atached followed for other link/screw that fix the plate to the headshell with another screw. I owned the Goldbug Brier that comes with exactly with similar characteristics ( in that regards. ) than the S3 and even that the Goldbug headshell is a true beauty and with a lot higher excecution and quality control than the FR still develop additional distortions that I proved when discovered that the Goldbug Brier cartridge can be mounted in stand alone fashion in any other headshell. Yes, I know that that way is what you like the more. You are more tolerant or less sensitive to those additional developed distortions than me. R. |
@edgewear read this about direct couple carts |
Dear Raul, You are more tolerant or less sensitive to those additional developed distortions than me.Weāre all here to learn.....For many many years, weāve heard about your unique ability to identify and analyse ādistortionsā in the āAudio Chainā.Youāve never been able to describe nor clarify these ādistortionsā..š§ But now you CAN š„³ HERE on my āHear My Cartridgesā Thread are scores of YouTube Videos with dozens of cartridge comparisons on all types of music. Many contributors have been able to identify and describe āminuteā differences that are audible between each and every cartridge. Frogman (a professional musician) is consummately skilled and erudite in his abilities to analyse these ādifferencesā. He has particularly invited YOU I would be interested in knowing what you yourself hear in some of these comparisons. Have some fun and feel free to āgo in deepā.For some reason you have failed to accept that invitation...? Unless you can finally demonstrate to us...one and all....the āKindsā of distortions you are "more sensitive to"....I must politely request that you cease using these meaningless terms. Certainly in any Post directed at me š¤ |
- 358 posts total