2. analog
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Moving coil with a bit less leading edge

I'm interested in a moving coil cartridge that offers a little less on the leading edge, and perhaps a bit more on decay or the trailing edge. In other words, something a little easier on the ears without sounding noticeably blunted or dulled. Thanks for your suggestions/impressions.
opus88
lewm
13,610 posts
 
The unique ability to pick up the trailing edge or the decay of musical instruments is exactly what I find so appealing about some of the best MM cartridges I have been playing with for the past year. I especially hear this on solo piano music with a really good MM, and I think it has something to do with the superior tracking ability of MMs. In fact, some of the posts here remind me of a debate around the virtues of MC vs MM cartridges. But there are many very expensive MCs that I have not heard, so take it with a grain of salt. I too am curious about the Miyajima cartridges and do plan to indulge in the near future.
salectric
761 posts
 
I second the Benz recommendation. Your description of how you react to certain MC cartridges is why I chose a Benz Glider M2 over a Dyna 17d2 in a direct comparison at my dealer (Deja Vu Audio). Since then I went to a Benz L2 and then the Benz LP. Each of the Benz models has been a step up from lower priced ones, but all of them have had the smoothness you are seeking. I would also agree that a Denon 103R has a similar characteristic but it does not have enough refinement in stock condition to satisfy IMO. I recently bought a Miyajima mono and it too has the right character on leading edges. I haven't heard the Shilabe or Kansui, but they most likely have a similar sound.
opus88 OP
530 posts
 
I'm a bit embarrassed. It took me a while to connect the BBs in my brain to realize that simply making changes with my new tonearm's VTA adjustment dial(never had one of those before) was not enough. I needed to grab and physically move the entire arm downward in larger increments to scotch a hardness/sharpness/metallic sound I was experiencing. It's still possible though, after further listening, that I may or not prefer a bit of a warmer sounding cartridge.

Otherwise: Larry, I've got all tube electronics---EAR 88PB phono preamp and Air Tight ATM-3 monoblock amps---and have been very satisfied with them.

Dougdeacon: The "excessive crispness" I was objecting to was (as I've indicated) a lot more than just that. It was also an "artifact" of my inexcusable unconsciousness. With some of your other comments, however, I must respectfully disagree. Frankly, I'm rather surprised with your assertion that I need to sit in "acoustically better halls...or acoustically better seats". Come on now, even if you've never visited or sat in the Concertgebouw or Musikverein, I'm sure you've heard or read about their renowned, warm sonics. There are other venues here that fit into the same category, and they would not likely be characterized as "*very* crisp and clear". Would you tell those who have enjoyed performances in these places where instruments sound more rounded that they need to go to crisper, clearer halls to properly enjoy music or hear it more "correctly"? I did not find fault with those who preferred a reproduced sound with clean, tight contours, but said I have not routinely encountered this sort of sound in concert perfomances I have attended. In fairness and reasonableness, maybe both of us could use a little broadening of our experiences regarding attendance at musical venues with contrasting sound personalities. Meanwhile, here's to our continuing enjoyment of our personal preferences in sound at home.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Oh yeah....and ah Jeff, before you go changing out cartridges, check to make sure you have the cartridge you have is set up correctly. LOL. Don't worry, I'm sure it's happened to all of us. Look at it this way, you just saved a bundle of $$$.

I started a thread on AA a few months back about how I blew out a tweeter on one of my speakers, since the high's just disappeared in one channel. After getting some replies I decided to see if there were any fuses in the crossover that might have blown. While lowering the speaker to the ground I noticed that the top negative speaker cable lead (bi-wire) had come loose. DUH!!! You have to laugh...haha.
opus88 OP
530 posts
 
John...Ha Ha, but OUCH!!! You reminded me of the time I blew out a channel in one of my costly Benz cartridges, but I won't get into details about that! I find one of your comments above very soothing: "...you just saved a bundle of $$$." If only all those moments of unconsciousness or stupidity could have been reversed or avoided, we'd probably have been able to afford a Mitt Romney type of wealthy sound system. Er, on second thought, forget that. I'd rather not go in that direction. Ha Ha.
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