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Ortofon A-90 Tonality Question

I got an A-90 about two weeks ago to replace a Koetsu RSP. I have it dialed in as best as possible and find that it does almost everything well in my system. I have the cartridge body level in terms of SRA, VTF is 2.2 grams and azimuth was measured with a DMM/test record.

The problem I am having is a leanness in the midrange, especially on vocals. There is a bit more sibilance than I would expect and there is a lack of richness in the lower vocal registers.

This may be that I am used to the Koetsu sound but based on observations here and on AA this doesn't seem to be a general issue and it seems more pronounced than I would expect.

Associated equipment is VPI HR-X/JMW 12.5 with Discovery wire (run from cartridge clips and soldered to phono stage input), Herron VTPH-2 phono stage, very modified Cary SLI-80 amp and Merlin TSM-MMi speakers. Interconnects are VH labs DIY silver and speaker cables are VH Labs Chela.

Based on general specifications the JMW arm should match fairly well to the A-90 but the A-90 performance seems to have some tonearm dependence. Also, there are only about 25 hours on the A-90 so it change over time.

Anyone running an A-90 in a VPI arm or have similar results in other setups?
jarrett
sprog
37 posts
 
I agree with Jtinn. Wait for it to bed-in and don't worry about the leanness - 20hrs is way too early to judge it properly.

At about 100-or-so hrs (in my experience) it's just perfect throughout.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I also suggest to listen to it minimum 100h. After that your ears are aligned to it.
lasercd
50 posts
 
Jarrett:

I agree with the other comments. This cartridge needs time to break in. You need to put more hours on it.

What impedance setting are you using?

Ken G olden
jarrett OP
38 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I have tried impedances ranging from infinite load(Herron VTPH-2 has this option), 47k, 2400, 850 and now 120 ohms. 120 ohms sounds best at present.

One thing I completely forgot about was when I made some major changes to my system recently I started using a Venhaus DIY silver wire interconnect in place of the Discovery Essence I had sold previously.

I never had the Venhaus IC in my old system and my prior experience with all-silver IC's was to my ear they sounded bright. I pulled out an awful generic copper IC I has laying around and although the overall sound is poor it definitley got rid of the sibilance.

I agree the cartridge will gradually smooth out itself over time but now I need to locate a suitable IC replacement for the Venhaus. it's a shame as the Venhaus does everything very well except the tilted up tonal balance.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
The A90 sounds just like what is it is being fed.

I owned the HRX for about 4 years and could never get rid of the slight leanness in the midrange, leading edge in the upper mids and lack of richness compared to my TNT V-HR.

Your Koetsu has been balancing that sonic trait IMO.

The guys are right, the A90 will breath better with more hours, however I don't think it will change that much, hopefully I am wrong.

If it does not improve, you might need to look at changing cartridges to a tonally richer sounding one, or change your turntable like I did.
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