Glanz moving magnet cartridges

Halcro,

"Dgob began this Thread by focusing on the G5 integral headshell model and continued with his enthusiasm….eventually including the G7, also an integral headshell design.
I found the G5 to be a pleasant but unremarkable cartridge….very dependent on tonearm matching."

Thanks for your feedback and impressions. I would (as I have) recommend that you try the G5 or G7 in an Audiocraft AC3300 LB. My delight arose from that setting and - obviously - my experience is very different to the one you seem to have endured. I have recently had the opportunity to compare my Glanz to a new Audio Technica AT150 ANV (which I picked up for an obscenely low price) and my assessment of the former remains undoubtedly positive: so my 'enthusiasm' goes on unabated. Maybe I am looking for a degree of fidelity that differs to your target or our systems reveal different virtues.

Large world/many views, so it's great to hear that you are still enjoying your DIY Signet and some other samples. I hope they continue to bring you happiness.

As always...

Halcro,

Sorry, I have very little time these days and so did not correctly read all of your latest post:

"I was able to pick up some slight differences in the three models with my preference going to the MFG-51L over the MFG-31L. The MFG-71L strangely enough…..was my least favourite….although I stress again the differences were subtle in the extreme."

I am not certain about the state of the cartridges that you tested or the overall synergy that you managed to obtain with your system. However, honestly, this is as far away from the experience with the two cartridges that you note me referencing (the G5 and G7), as to be unr3ecognisable. In fact, these cartridges are so distinct in performance and (obviously) design that they could easily give the impression that they were designed by two distinct companies. If your G5 is in complete working order, I can only suggest you persevere until you have managed to get the best out of it. I have no financial or personal gain in this but I am certain that your referenced "big hitters" will have a high class neighbour once you move it into the correct environment. As for bass control on the G5 - compare it to the AT150 ANV or the magnificent Technics 100Mk4 and let me know what you think!

If you can, persevere

As always...

Halcro - since you guys brought it up, I hope this isn't too far off-topic but having recently acquiring a Signet TK7Ea body, I'm about to find out for myself just how good your TK7*a/ATN155LC combination sounds in my system. I haven't done any comparisons yet but would you say this hybrid combo sounds better than the AT155LC itself? I'm planning on doing some comparisons between the two and will be throwing an AT7V/ATN155LC combo into the mix just for kicks.

Dgob,

I’m sorry if my impressions appear to be negative?
That was not my intent…..nor is it accurate.
I found the G5 to be “unremarkable” in that it’s presentation revealed nothing that was not available from a number of my finest cartridges.
This is not a ‘condemnation’ of the G5…..as it is being compared to the ‘crème de la crème’ of my selected collection.
I do find the AT150 ANV to be more detailed, transparent and convincing in its overall presentation than the G5……but this is to be expected from a Signet TK-7LCa ‘wannabe’ :-)
Where the 150ANV loses out to its illustrious predecessor IMHO… is in its emotional content.
The ability of some cartridges to suspend belief…and draw you in to the performance is akin to alchemy?
How do they do it?
Whilst it may be an ‘emphasis’ in the 40Hz region that makes one cartridge appear to delve deeper than another and a ‘peak’ in the 10K Hz range that delivers perceived ‘air’ or ‘detail’…….how does one explain with science….the way one cartridge can startle and amaze?
How can one cartridge deliver the performers into the room whilst another ‘wallpapers’ with a flat presentation?
How does one cartridge seem effortless and ‘alive’ whilst another seems to strain under its onerous duties?

I’m not sure Dgob whether you have spent much time with the ‘normal’ Glanzs……the MFG-31L, 51L and 71L?…….but it was to them I was referring in their ‘likeness’ to one another.
The G5 was easily distinguishable but I have not heard a G7 to enable comparisons?

As you rightly observe…..there are many views, tastes, preferences and system differences to explain our varying experiences and all each of us can do is find the path that individually suits.
I don’t for instance, find the AT150 ANV particularly impressive in the “bass control” or ‘depth’ region….nor do I find the Technics EPC100Mk3 any competition for the real champs ‘down there’?
But then again…..I find the EPC100Mk3 to be one of the most boring cartridges I have heard.
So concerned was I about this fact after reading the eulogies heaped of the 100Mk4….that I sent my 100Mk3 to Axel Schuerholz to check its functions.
It was returned as “working flawlessly”………
I don’t personally know the differences between the 100Mk3 and 100Mk4…..but a trusted former contributor called Travis Lundy (Tbone) has both models and loves his 100Mk3?

The audio world is a vast territory with a tiny subspecies of lunatics devoted to analogue and an ever smaller sub-culture of these who are obsessed with cartridges/styli/cantilevers.
I genuinely thank you for bringing the elusive Glanz cartridges to our notice and it has resulted in the very fine MFG-51L joining my select collection.

Kind Regards
Henry

Jmowbray,
The AT-155Lc cartridge.....whilst retaining the signature 'sound' of the Signet TK Series.......always sounds a little 'thin' to me.
There is a 'body' to the Signet TK-3, TK-5 and TK-7 which somehow eludes the AT despite the fact that it runs what was my favourite stylus assembly before the Jico SAS.
Even the TK-3Ea, TK-5Ea and TK-7Ea with their own styli sound more relaxed and focused to my ears.
With the 155Lc stylus transplant in any of these Signet models.....the AT-155Lc cartridge is easily outclassed and out-refined.

The AT-7V shares more than a passing resemblance to the AT-155Lc cartridge to my ears.....and whilst I have not attempted the comparison with the 155Lc transplant.....I would be surprised if it matched the composure of the Signets?

I think you will enjoy your forthcoming listening experiences?
Please keep us informed?