$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path

A couple of people have written to me privately about the current thread. In one message, a concern was voiced about the Moerch not be suitable with the ZYX. I wrote back explaining that the Moerch would be a great match, at least in theory, because I have not tried the combination. Here is what I wrote:

There's probably no misunderstanding at all! Moerch tonearms are great, and not only that, have a wonderful aesthetic appeal, which I find nearly irresistible. And with their interchangeable arm wands, they make a brilliant choice for many analog front ends.

If I were to choose the Michelle Gyro SE or Eurolab turntable, my choice of tonearm would be the Moerch DP-6. With the Teres 245, the Origin Live Encounter may have a slight advantage in creating the best synergy. The emphasis here is "slight." Moreover, there was a discussion in the thread regarding the effects of continuous versus non-continuous tonearm cabling, with the idea that continuous cabling may be preferable in many situations. While I grasp the significance of this assertion, my counter idea is that for some of us, myself included, we may not be able to detect any difference, at least at first. But there are a number of audiophiles who have listened very deeply into the quality of their systems over a long period of time. These people are not casual listeners, and have developed a considerable intimacy and knowledge of all the components in their setup in the same way that some of us have come to know the deepest aspects of ourselves. This knowing is a process that takes time and experience. Under these circumstances, I believe, it does become possible to distinguish the type of cable used, continuous versus non-continuous, and to form a definite preference for the former. I believe I will become one of these audiophiles because it is not uncommon for me to spend hours at a time listening to each and every note of a piano sonata or the ebb and flow of the melodious intermixing of instruments that make up many of the symphonies of the Classical Period.

Under $2,000, there are only a few tonearms that really look and sound great. The Moerch is certainly one of them. In my situation, I am trying to maximize price performance, not only for reasons of cost, but because of my own minimalist outlook toward life. Someone else might have a much different approach to vinyl and tonearms, in which case the Moerch would be the ideal solution. After all Paul Seydor and Robert Green of TAS loved the Moerch when it was paired with the Eurolab.

Hmmm, you're in Tracy? I'm in the South Bay. When/if Doug wanders out this way, don't forget to look me up, too!

Do you hear that Doug?

Welcome 4yanx!

Do you know that I tell everyone I know about your vinyl cleaning process? Why its the first topic I bring up at all the cocktail parties I attend! :> )

(I wonder why I never get invited back?)

I am always told, "Why on earth are you still listening to that old record stuff?"

My reply goes something like this, "Well, many CDs sound like high-pitched machinery in need of oil."

That usually gets me one big dirty look as my cocktail-party acquaintance beats a hasty retreat to the buffet line.

No, say, "you're right they really don't sound all that good. Load up all of your old junk in my car and I'll haul it away for you."

FWIW, I am humbled that you found anything I posted about record cleaning to be of value. One caveat. I have since learned a great deal about the leaching of plasticizers in vinyl and no longer recommend the use of dishwashing detergent (including the fragrence ingredients in Dawn) or various other household cleansers when doing the sink washing. Others still swear by their use, but I don't want to be responsible for someone using the "wrong" product. Some quite distressing reading regarding the use of enzyme-based fluids and their effect on certain plasticizers (including dioctyl phthalate, dibasic fatty acid, and the most common plasticizer in vinyl). Others will argue, too, that you shouldn't use tap water for an initial rinse before moving to the RCM and RRL fluids. Unless your water is extremely hard or in an area that has an abundance of chemicals, I don't think there is much of a risk unless you air dry. I've done the sink and tap water route and the distilled water route and don't tell a difference. Of course I always use the RRL regimen immediately afterwards.

OK, now this thread can move to a discussion of the best pressing of Beethoven’s