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Compliance & Efffective Mass Question

Hi Folks:
I've a ZYX Universe S-SB cartridge that I'm running on a budget Airtech tonearm (http://airtech.atspace.com/), and a Teres 255 turntable. Phono Stage is my Supratek Syrah full function preamp.

I've never paid much attention to anything about 'compliance' or 'effective mass', and am not sure how to even calculate such things. Is there some guidance that someone could offer me on how to measure the above, what an appropriate relationship/ratio should be, and if my setup is 'off', what steps I might take to better optimize my setup?

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips! I'm keen to get the best out of what should be a great vinyl rig - I do like the sound a lot, but there is the odd track or passage that seems to produce some sibilance or distortion, and I've always wonderered whether there is something awry with my setup that might be remedied by some alteration.
128x128outlier
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Outlier,

Tracks 6-9 on side 1 of the HFNRR record are not "tests" that need to be "passed". Neither are the three "tracking test" bands on side 2. Adjusting your rig in an attempt to play these tracks cleanly will invariably lead to an inferior setup. It would require very excessive VTF and also excessive antiskating (on a pivoting arm).

My UNIverse/TriPlanar combo, which is nearly ideal for this cartridge, will not play tracks 8-9 cleanly. Nor will a UNIverse on any other arm that I've heard of. This bears little relation to tracking on real LP's. The frequency mix and amplitudes on the HFNRR tracks are nothing like real music. Using them to fine tune your setup is futile or worse.

Doug
dgad
782 posts
 
Doug,

I moved my ZYX Universe from my Schroder SQ to my Ikeda tonearm. Basically adding about 15 gms effective mass to the arm. It now has a resonant frequency of 10 Hz lateral & vertical as expected. What is even more amazing is the increase in bass, image density & smoothness of the treble. I am still dealing w. some more little things, like ideal VTF which I find 2.25 to sound better than 2.00. It is amazing how having the wrong effective mass arm can completely change the sound. You need to truly know your cartridge compliance. As many cartridges vary compliance in production even with the same model this will be more difficult to do unless you purchase your tonearm after testing your cartridge.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Dgad,

So your Ikeda has an effective mass of ~33 grams? If so, it seems you have a very anomalous example of a UNIverse. Everything you heard is what we'd expect from a low compliance cartridge, as you probably know better than I do!

I am still dealing w. some more little things, like ideal VTF which I find 2.25 to sound better than 2.00.
That could be a function of an stiff suspension, no? Your compliance seems so far outside of norms that the usual guidelines may not apply.

OTOH, differing sonic preferences also play a role here. Extra VTF gives greater macrodynamics, bass and heft, but at a cost in detail, harmonics, tonality, imaging and soundstaging. One other listener I know who prefers 2.2-2.3g has a system that smothers fine details but is very good at big dynamics and fullness. HIgher VTF's exploit the strengths of that system and the losses can't easily be heard. Definitely a YMMV situation...

You need to truly know your cartridge compliance. As many cartridges vary compliance in production even with the same model this will be more difficult to do unless you purchase your tonearm after testing your cartridge.
There's a chicken/egg dilemma! How does one test a cartridge without a tonearm? ;-)
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