All,
The sound differences we heard between the O and Uni in Doug's system with his optimal settings aside, I've been thinking more and more about why the O didn't sound as good in Doug's system compared to mine. My impressions of the O in my 9-8-06 post did not seem to come through when we heard it in Doug's system.
Of course our systems are different, maybe the cartridge was damaged in transit (unlikely) or maybe it had to do with VTA.
In my system, I have the tonearm pivot base adjusted so that the tonearm is moderatley higher than parallel. i.e., there is more SRA or VTA.
In Doug's system, Paul felt the VTA for the O was just right when the tonearm was moderately lower than parallel. Similar position used for the Universe.
I wonder if this contributes significantly to the differences I hear between these cartridges in the different set ups and maybe even to the differences between the cartridges. Maybe the O prefers a higher SRA than the Universe?
We did not try setting the O at or above parallel. I now wish we would have tried the higher VTA just to rule that out.
Anyway, I think another comparison after break-in and with a higher range of VTA would be fruitful.
Dan, Doug, you're welcome to head down to Atlanta to compare all three. If not, I may be able to make it up again.
Sorry to the Tranny fans for some controversial results. But as I said, in my system it sounds absolutely fabulous.