Fremer's Nine Cartridge Survey

[Rajiv]

Hi,

Fremer has 96/24 digital files of 10 cartridges -- 9 mounted on a VPI traveller and an Ortofon MC Anna on his Continuum.


Nine Cartridge Survey Produces Audible Results? | Analog Planet

Regards
Rajiv

 

[arj]

Hi,

Fremer has 96/24 digital files of 10 cartridges -- 9 mounted on a VPI traveller and an Ortofon MC Anna on his Continuum.


Nine Cartridge Survey Produces Audible Results? | Analog Planet

Regards
Rajiv

:clapping: Goodone Rajiv. i think the digital setup will need to be good to do this comparison though ?
or else write them into a CD i guess.

 

[Her Master's Voice]

Such comparisons can be helpful. When I bought my turntable I was not sure if I should go for a Denon DL103 or a Benz ACE which was on offer at The Listening Room. Jochen Semler played the Benz and then a download file of the Denon which he got from the HiFi Statement site (a German online magazine). There are files of some 10 mostly very high end carts available. I then decided for the Benz. Much more details and better PRAT than the Denon.

 

[jls001]

The ensuing three pages (so far) of Comments is quite civil and so unlike a certain forum I know

 

[arj]

anyone tried it ?
7,6,2 .sound the best group to me(not able to decide order) 9 sounds good with energy.but too loud and lacks subtlety ....5, 10 is also sounding ok..but cant do any more A/Bs now.
4 sounds very good..but looks like it is lower in rez ?

Using a MAudio solo connected to my iMac via Audirvana...feeding to my dac. since i cant do 48/96, downsampled to 24/48

changing the volume control for most is a Pain

 

[abhijitnath]

I downloaded it too but the found the test useless. It's not volume matched, plus there's actual clipping on some of the samples. Basically the loudest will sound better- or No. 10, which is the reference, I assume.

 

[arj]

I downloaded it too but the found the test useless. It's not volume matched, plus there's actual clipping on some of the samples. Basically the loudest will sound better- or No. 10, which is the reference, I assume.

i had to keep adjusting with an SPL meter and yes some are clipping but try listening from 1:28 to around 1:40..
9 and 7 are the loudest for me. but manually changing the vol pot drove me crazy

but maybe because these are all needle drops and my compute audio rig is nothing great...none of them jumped out saying its an expensive rig

 

[jls001]

On the comments thread someone has helpfully posted links to normalized samples.

 

[stevieboy]

No 7 it is!

 

[abhijitnath]

On the comments thread someone has helpfully posted links to normalized samples.

Ooh- thanks. Now to re-download.

 

[arj]

On the comments thread someone has helpfully posted links to normalized samples.

i dont suppose i could go through listening to them again!

 

[jls001]

Here's the link to the normalised version. All of 1.01 GB zipped file.

 

[stevieboy]

Since I'm dacless and digital free I had no choice but to convert the flac to lossless and play through itunes. All of them sound so alike. Wondering whether there's that much of a loss on conversion. The only track that stood out as a bit different from the rest was no 7. More nuanced than the rest of the bunch which had minor differences that I could pick up through my headphones. Not the ideal way to take the test but something better than nothing!

 

[jls001]

Sucker for punishment that I am, I listened to all 10 tracks. Twice. Stupid song, btw.

First impression: 7 sounds best for me. 2 follows. Or was it 10? I will give it another go when my ears have rested. 8 is worst.

 

[Hiten]

Good experiment, but downloaded digital files will not be the same files everyone will be listening if cables changes them. To compare precisely we need same dac+headphone. Best way would be to listen to normalized tracks put in the same fremer thread sampled for PC listening through headphone. I am guessing most pc will have same audio chip (realtek ??). But this can give good vague idea of cartridges. I guess AT95E will be in first three.
Regards

 

[arj]

and the winner is...

 

[Asit]

Interesting results, to say the least. It indicates a few things in my mind:

1. HFV vinyl experts basically agree with the general finding of the survey. The #7 featured in everybody's list here. HFV members also mentioned 2, 9 and 5, and all these take up the first few positions of the survey.

2. The test may not be perfect, especially when the levels are not normalized. However, it also indicates that a very expensive MC may not be the only solution. A MM or MI based system if done well may outshine a very highly acclaimed MC based system in several aspects.

3. Evaluation of a system is not that subjective as generally perceived in many forums across the globe. Barring the obvious fluctuations, and despite an imperfect setting, some general conclusions can be reached.

I am happy with all three conclusions above.

Regards.

 

[abhijitnath]

I'm very amused with the Caliburn ratings. It actually mistracks around 40 sec in- and costs more than my house did when I bought it.

 

[arj]

funnily i have the father of the MP300 (ie MP30) and i put it in the bottom 3 !

 

[stevieboy]

Thank Arj!

Was wondering when it was going to come out, checked the site earlier on today also. Good to know there's a superb MM option that my ears liked (no 7). Was kinda hoping it be would be one of the lesser priced ones that was a surprise performer but sigh I guess price does bring you benefits. That sure is going on my list of second hand products to keep in mind. It's one hell of a good mm cart for sure.

Regards