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Ortofon MC A90 Cartridge VTF

I just spent the weekend at mikelavigne's where we did a comparison with three turntables all using the same Ortofon MC A90 cartridges. We had the cartridges setup at the recommended VTF and they did not all have the same amount of break-in time on them. I decided to see what would happen when we lightened the cartridges up.

We started on the first table and the weight was about 2.25. We lessened the weight until I thought that the sound really locked in. By the time we were done on the first turntable, the VTF was at around 1.56. When we did the second table we got the weight all the way down to 1.92. On the third table it ended up best at about 2.01.

All parties (myself, Mike and Steve) agreed that lightening up the carts really opened things up quite a bit without loss of bass. The inner detail and delicacy inreased as did speed and dynamics.

I called Ortofon and am awaiting a response but I was wondering if those of you who own this cartridge have gone outside the recommended range and if you could share your experiences.

There is more to read about this if you want under mikelavigne's system thread.
jtinn
smoffatt
205 posts
 
Anyone out there using the A90 with a Graham Phantom II ??

What VTF are you finally locked in at ?

What VTA/SRA are you set at ? Parallel, or lower/higher at the back ?

Just received my A90 #225 in Canada today.

Thanks
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
Smoffatt......I'm running the A90 on the Phantom II and have around 80 hours so far, I'm liking 2.15-2.18 vtf with just a slight tail high so far. Once I hit the 200 hour mark I will revisit different settings.....#206

Dealer disclaimer
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I am running a Phantom 1 and i am back to around 2.3 gms and just above parallel.

the amount of damping in the Phantom has the biggest effect on the sound.

cheers
tuboo
93 posts
 
interesting and curious too, reading such different experiences with A90.
although only running some estimated 15 hours on my A90 have it set at 2,15 VTF and 100 ohms. will further finetune after a longer period with Dr. Feickert Adjust+ software eventually.
through the years i became used to lowering the back of the arm with many incarnations of the Colibri to compensate for a typical MC upper frequency lift.
although 'typical' with some reservations here, not all MC have this tendency but alas.

so i caught myself doing the same with A90.
but came back from that tendency real soon. the A90 likes it level.
we see many teaming up their A90 with tangential arm with great succes. well i can report too that A90 is an amazing match with the Airline.
the whole TT set-up totally dissapeared now, i did not yet experience this level of playback with the same TT owned for 15 years.
patience is good.

LOVE the A90.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Tuboo

If you read what Fremer said and the need for the A90 to be at 92% for correct SRA, the arm needs to be slightly up and the back.
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