cart measurement vs quoted spec

You can tweak-align you sweet hind off, and NEVER come right if that happens, distortion is programmed for you right in the cart.

True! Just what I was trying say in my first response.

By way of sharing experiences, I once owned an ABC model DEF with an off-line and twisted cantilever. With test record, notch filter and multi-meter in hand, I proceeded to measure channel (im)balance and crosstalk. Adjust as I would, I couldn't get anything remotely close to decent numbers. No surprise, you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear, and I STILL say I'm inane for discussing it. :-)

I've also measured multiple samples of my current reference cartridge using the same tools and methodology. On all but one, channel balance was within 0.2db (usually less) and crosstalk was < 0.1 db (below the resolution of the meter, even when measured at the POWER amp outputs). The one sample that measured higher was replaced under manufacturer's warranty, no questions asked.

Axelwahl,

If the cartridge in question is the Ortofon PW, is this the same cartridge that you praised as the best cartridge you have heard apart from the Transfiguration Orpheus, or is this another iteration?

I agree that your measurements are disappointing, but, I am trying to understand the correlation between the poor measurement and sound quality.

Axel,

Have you verified your measurement procedure with another cartridge?

If I had captured those numbers, they would seem to be suspect to me. I'm not saying that they are but I'd sure want to know that I can at least verify the results/technique with a different cartridge to be sure it's not a measurement error.

Dre

[b]There is a resonant peak ~ 12dB --- can you believe it, at between 80Hz - 120 Hz!
But it does not translate into hearing it... The main issue it that whacked out channel balance. [/b]

Are you saying that a measured 12dB peak at 80-120hz is inaudible?

dave

Hi all,

Dave,
that res. ~ 100Hz showed a 'lift' of 2.25 times signal level compared to the rest of the measured band level.
I would NOT think it is a faulty test record... And as I stated, it is not audible with normal listening.
Why? I have no idea, other than at ~ 40Hz I have some 'room lift/lock' --- and it might just all fit together. Who knows.

Dre_j,
in being proper and decently scientific what you suggest aught to be done. Alas I have not another cart of same make and build to do this. THEREFORE, in all fairness my measurements are not 'valid' according to scientific method. What is valid is that I get distortion at high vinyl levels with massed instruments / orchestra / fortissimo, and it *seems* to tie in with the channel imbalance. At medium level, and less complex music it can not be easily noted, if at all.

Larryi,
it sounds contradictory and you noted that correctly.
Yet --- if I compared the two carts, not factoring in the problem area of the one, it is my finding. Since at the time of comparing I was still assuming that 'some' as yet un-detected alignment issue was causing this distortion with massed instruments, fortissimo, etc. It is NOT affecting tonality, detail, and such at more normal levels. So, the 'assumed to be defective' cart still sounded a good second to what I had listened to. The Orpheus is yet more detailed, yet a bit clearer, yet a bit more balanced, simply better. I incidentally also had the lesser "Transfiguration AXIA" in my system and of course given taste and all such it was not my preference, with a type of slightly more refined Dorian sound i.e. it has a slight edge on a Dorian - AND if you like that sound presentation. It is VERY open sounding and a bit tilted towards the top i.e. not at all as neutral as the Orpheus.

The point is, that the cart under question is NOT breaking up all over the place!! It might just be yet so much better if it were in spec. --- an assumption of course.

Part of this enquiry was to get some feedback on similar 'encounters' AND NOT to categorically insist on a scope beams width measurement finding.

There is e.g. one track that puts left to right channel out of phase so as to cancel them. All being at it's best next to nothing should be heard during play-back.
I instead get 1kHz 'screaming' at me. A pretty clear indication that the preceding measurements of channel leakage and imbalance found were correct.

Greetings,
Axel