Ortofon MC A90 cartridge

Dear Mike: Yes you are right and agree: " in my personal experience ". No it is not a universal perception but only with some of the ones that already own/heard the MM/MI alternative.

I like the Olympos ( I heard it twice ) unfortunatelly I don't heard it yet in my system but I have a very clear idea about its quality performance. Well many of the Olympos characteristics and especially the " easy and natural flow " of the music is shared by the top MM/MIs where almost no other LOMC have.

I think that can/could be very interesting that you take the opportunity to hear one-two of those " humble and vintage " MM/MIs in your system.
This technology is better than what we can think before we hear it, it is a " new "/different analog source alternative and IMHO worth to try it, it is so ridiculous inexpensive .

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Axel & co

This thread is for anyone who has heard or bought a A90 or anyone who has interest in an A90
- not for MM lovers who have never heard the A90 and try to make this about MM vs MC. You 3 or 4 guys have your own 27 page MM lovers guide thread to discuss that.

Axel, that your ML phono/setup can only sound reasonable at 47k says more about your current setup than anything, as you are definately in the absolute minority favouring 47k.

If you read Fremer's review or Robm1 comments, who have actually heard both - the A90 is clearly in a different musical and sonic league compared to the Windfeld for only a little price premium.

perhaps Robm1 can elaborate on what differences he has heard - not for your benefit but for anyone interested in an A90.

A90 vs Nagaoka MP 50 - the MP 50 is a great cartridge and is well and truely as you say a giant killer - maybe up to 3k compared to some MC's - It certainly is better in every respect than a Miyabe Shilabe cart at $2800 which I have heard in my system.

In time I will also listen to the ortofon M20FL super and report.

The A90 however is comfortable better than the MP50 in my system.

Why only Ortofon sell limited Edition of 400. Frankly 400 top of the line cartridges are a LOT of cartridges for any top of line model and probably several years or more supply for other cartridge makers. Ortofon are back ordered by 6- 8 weeks, so clearly at the moment demand is outstripping their ability to manufacture and supply.

Quote from Ortofon -

"The production capacity for A 90 is limited as the Single Laser Mould is a very special process. The structures for A90 are produced by a Danish research Insitute, Teknologisk Institut Aarhus, their capacity is limited at the machine is one of 3 in all Europe.
They use it mostly for research purposes but we are a partner for them in their research for using this process for manufacturing "

Compared to other manufacturers top of the line cartridges Ortofon is actually cheap, so Ortofon should be praised for that alone.



cheers

Raul,

to avoid further cluttering this thread with non-A90 advice, please e-mail me (or post on my system page) MM/MI recommendations which are currently "reasonably" purchasable which might represent this superior performance you are touting.

thanks,

"The production capacity for A 90 is limited as the Single Laser Mould is a very special process. The structures for A90 are produced by a Danish research Insitute, Teknologisk Institut Aarhus, their capacity is limited at the machine is one of 3 in all Europe.
They use it mostly for research purposes but we are a partner for them in their research for using this process for manufacturing "

I wonder how high the A90 would have been priced if it was being marketed by one of the more 'esoteric' cartridge manufacturers?
This cartridge was still a stretch for me, but it sounds stellar and uniquely transparent IME. Thank goodness Ortofon didn't decide to put an inflated 'exclusive' sticker price on the A90 - otherwise I would have been denied access to this type of performance.

Downunder,
y.s: >> the A90 is clearly in a different musical and sonic league compared to the Windfeld for only a little price premium.<< and
>> The A90 however is comfortable better than the MP50 in my system.<<
Very good feedback thank you, as the MP-50 sounds clearly better then my Windfeld by some notable margin ---- yet the difference between the former STAR of their product line and the A90 must therefore be APPRECIABLY more the I have understood this to be the case. (In fact it well might rubbish that *former star*, obviously the case since now being discontinued, hm)
Having the same "motor" and only a different housing truly makes a case for how much the housing seems to contribute the sound! (JCarr had a lot to say on that subject and how right he seems to be)
Food for thought in deed, and thank you for suffering me mentioning any other name than A90 only.
Axel