Phono stage/Cartridge choices

[Paul]

(2012-04-30 17:29)Linnism Wrote:  Hi Sam,
Glad you were covered by warranty.
To clarify something I said earlier about the K9, Linn's choice of tip attachment was not due to a concern that ATs standard method was not secure enough. Rather, it was felt that sound quality benefited if the diamond was force fitted into the end of cantilever rather than simply glued on. Since the K9 was intended as Linn's then 'top' MM, the extra cost was accepted. Among other refinements, a different tip profile was specified for the K9, which provided better tracking performance with difficult material.


Paul,

Regarding 95E tip alignment and QC:
As you know, different examples of the same product vary in quality. IMHO, AT applies a logical and appropriate standard to the 95E, considering where and how this product is usually used (with modest equipment), as well as the low price they charge. With this in mind, it would be rude of me to complain to AT about the few 95Es that don't happen to fit my personal, arbitrary standard.

Due to the frequency with which I recommend the 95E, I buy them in batches of ten or twenty. I inspect ALL cartridges before installing, regardless of brand name. IMO, inspection should be done using a quality microscope (IE one having well corrected, all glass elements.) I prefer using 200x, with 10x at the eye, and 20x at the objective. YMMV.

I look at the condition of the cantilever end (in this case, the crimped area, which occasionally shows splitting or asymmetric distortion), and the diamond tip itself (which are quite consistent), and I look at how well the tip has been aligned on the cantilever (variations are found in a percentage of cases). I also look at the way glue has been applied.

To cut a long story short, having looked at the stylus, I then decide if I want to supply that to a customer. In a minority of 95Es (one or two per batch of ten) the answer is: 'No.'

Naturally, I play music with a turntable before returning it to the owner, but in essence this the same as l have already described -- it's another type of quality control.

PS
If you would like to discuss this further, Paul, I invite you to contact me separately. Thanks.

Dear Craig,
After my PM, I took a look at your very interesting site. Congratulations for your excellent works. I'm not surprised that you employed the 95E on some repaired or restored Sondeks.

Here I like to paste two extracts one of those taken from Stereophile:

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-95E AT 95E AT95E PHONO CARTRIDGE
Imported and packaged by LP Gear, the Audio-Technica AT95E phono cartridge has a very distinguished and colorful lineage. On its own, it has been a multiple recipient of Best Buy ratings in the UK. Its lineage is intertwined with the classic and musically acclaimed Linn Basik, K5 and K9 phono cartridges. Unlike these cartridges however, the AT95E is delightfully affordable and available. Since October, 2004 and up to the present, the Audio-Technica AT95E phono cartridge is included in the Stereophile Recommended Components List. It is the only inexpensive phono cartridge to be included in this highly selective recommended list! The review summarized the performance of the Audio-Technica AT95E phono cartridge with the following words: "Makes music for 50 bucks!"
Paul Szabady in Stereotimes March 2007 had this to say about the Audio-Technica AT95E phono cartridge:
"The AT95E integrates the range of the sonic bandwidth very well: no part of the spectrum sticks out at the listener. It doesn’t sound bright and it doesn’t sound dull at the top frequencies. Midrange is clear and detailed with no spittiness on vocals, though really cheap and inadequate analog match-ups will cause an slight upper mid-range burr."

This wonderful gift by Audio Technica is available, brand new for only 21.9 euro, from a german HQ seller on e.bay.

Please, let me know if you will be satisfied.
KR,
Paul

[JimmyV123]

I have used the Audio Tecnica AT-95E cartridge on various turntables, with great results. It's a fine cartridge, especially for the asking price. (+1)

[Paul]

(2012-05-02 15:26)JimmyV123 Wrote:  I have used the Audio Tecnica AT-95E cartridge on various turntables, with great results. It's a fine cartridge, especially for the asking price. (+1)

Thank you Jimmy and thanks in advance who will post his opinion here.

[JimmyV123]

No problem, just call'em as I see'em .

(2012-05-02 16:17)Paul Wrote:  

(2012-05-02 15:26)JimmyV123 Wrote:  I have used the Audio Tecnica AT-95E cartridge on various turntables, with great results. It's a fine cartridge, especially for the asking price. (+1)

Thank you Jimmy and thanks in advance who will post his opinion here.

[Vereina]

I have used a DV XX2 mk II with a Urika for several years, and have been very happy with it.

If you are able to arrange a demo, I would certainly suggest trying the Urika as well as the Uphorik. Aside from the convenience of the Urika, I think it is fair to say that - with the right cartridge - it performs somewhat better than the Uphorik.

In my experience, the lack of load settings on the Urika is not a problem for the XX2. So, in your case, if you conclude that the XX2 is the cartridge for you, the decision between Urika and Uphorik may boil down to whether you wish to have the option of adjusting settings for other cartridges in the future, balanced against the (probable) superior performance of the Urika.

I don't know where you are located (I guess your forum name might be a clue!), but if you are anywhere near the south coast of England, I can unreservedly recommend Phonography, near Winchester. I have used them for turntable stuff for years, including purchase and fitting of XX2, Radikal and Urika; you will not find many people who are more experienced with LP12s.

[EDIT] One other point I'd like to add:

There is not a single right answer to the cartridge / phono stage question, although I certainly think that it is a mistake to choose one in isolation from the other. But you could spend a lot of time auditioning different combinations. In the end, what matters most is what combination you like the sound of. Don't be too swayed by opinions on the forum. If you happen to really like the first combination you hear (particularly if it's the XX2 and Urika .... ), why spend more time than you need to listening to others?