ZYX "House" Sound

Dear kevemaher, you are an audiophile extraordinaire, and you merit admiration by nearly all of the rest of us. What I think you’ve revealed is that traditional measurements, such as those you have made, don’t tell the whole story. Else why can we yet hear difference among cartridges, turntables, tonearms, and all the rest of the gear that measure so similarly? You also in passing reveal the “dirty little secret” of audiophilia, that in fact we often don’t know what we’re doing. One reason the DQX1000 should be obviously superior sounding compared to the DD40 would be that the former TT incorporates a quartz crystal reference which ought to enhance its performance vs the DD40. Have you assessed speed constancy? Virtually every DD table made since the heyday of the DQX1000 uses a quartz crystal reference. I think Denon were the first to do that, in their DPXX series.

@lewm  That is the slyest compliment I've ever heard. Gave me a chuckle. Thanks.

I do agree that the components with moving parts will affect the sound and sound a bit different as they age. I consider speakers, phono cartridges and the listening room to be the primary influence on sound. The tonearm and turntable are secondary, and all the others have a very small influence (as long as measured performance is in spec). Preamps and amps (except for tubed models) have little influence.

So my Denon DP-57L is a keeper?

It would be wonderful if there were more "guidelines" for matching equipment as it is difficult for me to separate good from bad advice.

Is the Technics SL-1200GR a good match to the Koetsu RS, the Shelter 901 and the ZYX Omega or 4D cartridges? What would be the entry level table for these cartridges?

Dear @kevemaher : This resonance frequency could help for your question after you made the automatic calculation:

Cartridge Resonance Evaluator - Vinyl Engine

Other Technics model is the next one that comes with what in theory is a better tonearm build material: magnesium and more " solid/damped " plynth ".

Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200G-S (technics.com)

With both models could be need it to change the tonearm internal wiring and the headshell wires too.

Btw, " to be the primary influence on sound. The tonearm and turntable are secondary, and all the others have a very small influence "

Could be and yes transducers are " definitive " about. Before I posted that tonearm/cartridge is a " unit " and is a unit because all the cartridges during playing can pick up maybe the 80%-90% of the recorded MUSIC information but at the same time develops a lot of additional " resonances/distortions/feedback " that are transmited through the cartridge cantilever and then to the headshell/tonearm wand/tonearm bearing and so on that's why same Technics tonearm builded with magnesium material puts different " colorations/modulation " than an aluminum tonearm material.

You own the 57L and through your measures it measured similar to the DD40 even that manufacturer specs are way different. I posted before if you listen a " trouble " if any in the 57L that your prefer the DD40, till now you are " dead silence " about and is your privilege but could be " healthy " ig you can give an answer on that issue. Thank's in advance.

R.

I do use the resonance calculator. I always check before installing a cartridge. I have a number of headshells and weights, so I can tailor the mass to obtain resonant frequencies between 10 and 7 Hz. That is, if I know the arm's effective mass. I understand that this is not the only item that needs proper arm/cartridge matching.

I won't quibble about the arm/cartridge matching. I do think that the cartridge contributes much more than the arm does. I don't have any data, just a "feeling".

I don't use the DP-57L much because I don't like the arm's looks. A silly reason, but that's the one I've got. Perhaps I should mount the Koetsu or Shelter on it and listen. The adjustment of arm height is a bit of a pain.

@kevemaher : I can give you that tonearm characteristic but with all respect you need to make yur research that at the end it’s a learning and fun " trip ": the effective mass Technics tonearm is 12 grs.

Yes, the transducers are the more critical and important link in the audio system, I posted before in agreement with you. NO the tonearm can’t has the cartridge direct influence in the signature of what we are listening .

Good decision to test your cartridges in the Denon 57L that looks as really good TT/tonearm:

Denon DP-57L Servo-Controlled Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine

R.