@halcro
I understand ... so it remains a mystery at least for now.
I understand ... so it remains a mystery at least for now.
Who needs a Diamond Cantilever...? 💍
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 dynamicsI’ll 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.
Chakster, I agree that the boron pipe and beryllium are no longer available but I was referring to the quoted text for my response. The way the vintage cantilever and stylus mounted together is different from almost anything new. Aside from the one piece diamond cantilever/tip combo, what historical method of mounting a diamond to a cantilever is no longer available today? Dovers only complaint seems to be centered on the visual look opposed to the actual quality / strength of the junction and I do not consider that alone to be a valid judgement of quality. Under a microscope, the namiki Sapphire cantilever/microridge combo is a thing of beauty but the "retipped" boron / microridge combo sounds substantially better in my experiences. dave |
@intactaudio I posted before, but look again, those are vintage: This is Sapphire Astrion cantilever of ADC. This is Beryllium cantilever of Victor X1II. This is Titanium Pipe of Victor X1IIE This is Boron Pipe of Technics 205c mk4 This is RUBY cantilever of Dynavector This is Diamond cantilever of Dynavector Aside from the one piece diamond cantilever/tip combo, what historical method of mounting a diamond to a cantilever is no longer available today? Modern method is normally a drop of glue on a rod type cantilevers around stylus tip. SoundSmith methos is a drop of glue in front of the cantilever. Same for Ortofon method. As you know they can’t use a proper method like this anymore, because they don’t have Boron Pipe any longer. Since the Boron considered the most advanced type of the cantilever this this is where we have big difference between old vs. new methods. This is old method, it’s Grace LEVEL II Boron Pipe / Micro Ridge. Nowadays they might have titanium pipe or zirconia pipe, but not Boron Pipe. Under a microscope, the namiki Sapphire cantilever/microridge combo is a thing of beauty but the "retipped" boron / microridge combo sounds substantially better in my experiences. I am not trying to say what is better, this is a personal thing, I’m trying to show a difference on pictures. But comparing same cart with different styli (genuine vs. re-cantilevered) the Boron Pipe was the best sounding and it was genuine. And Technics explained why. My example is Technics because I can’t add any documents from Grace, Audio-Technica, Sony .... buy Boron Pipe was their choice too (along with Beryllium) for the most expensive models up to the late ’80s - early ’90s. |
Chakster, It is being done this way for a reason. Modern adhesives are very strong and light. It is easier to align the stylus and keep it aligned while the glue is set by UV. The square shank indexes the cut surface of the cantilever which is set at the right angle. The end result is much lighter and tough enough to stand regular service. It is easier to knock the stylus off if the cartridge is miss handled. There is nothing special about those old cantilevers. That diamond cantilever is a boat anchor. It is too short and way to fat, an experiment perhaps. If nobody else does it that way there is a reason. Lasers are better than ever. Blasting a little hole through a cantilever is child's play. But, then you are left with the mass of material beyond the stylus hole in exactly the wrong place. What you are showing us is outdated technology. |
Chakster... Your argument seems to be that boron pipe is no longer available. I agree. The rest of your argument makes no sense. If you are saying nobody nude mounts like your boron pipe example, namiki does it with zirconium tube. Both Namiki and Ogura cut holes through their sapphire / ruby / diamond cantilevers to hold the diamond shaft prior to adhesive and while Namiki does only use glue for their Boron cantilevers Ogura has the typical mounting method used in all of your referenced pictures. dave |