Hear my Cartridges....🎶

That's amazing frogman.......
You absolutely nailed it.....👍
I didn't think those subtle qualities and differences would be able to be heard on the video.....and frankly.....I don't believe that even I can discern them when I play them on my iMac.
But you have described exactly what I am able to hear from my listening chair...🤗
The AT-ML180 I agree is probably "tonally the most realistic".....but both Victors just seem to give me more 'emotion' and 'magic'...
Some might say "more distortion".....🤪

For your uncanny hearing abilities......I present you with the inaugural 'Halcro Golden Ear Award'......👏👂

Regards
Henry

Haha....
Sorry Slaw......but I didn't consider this a 'contest' 🤼‍♂️
I hoped....but wasn't convinced.....that the tiny, sometimes ephemeral differences between cartridges might be able to be discerned on the videos?
I was so excited when I read that @frogman had managed this feat....I couldn't reply soon enough....
Bear in mind, that each of us has his own preferences and biases when it comes to 'ideal sound' so that out of the 100 or more cartridges I have owned and the 40+ that I still do.....my favourites all have an underlying 'relationship' to my preferred tonal qualities.
The differences between them then....relate to their other abilities such as 'Soundstage', 'Transparency', 'Upper-Frequency Air and Extension', 'Depth and Control of the Lowest Bass Frequencies' and finally.....overall "Emotional Involvement' and 'Magic'....
These qualities are the most subtle and ephemeral and ultimately are the ones which elevate the 'favouritism' of one cartridge over another.

My hope was that some of these qualities would not be 'lost' in the videos so that they could be a viable form of demonstrating the sound qualities of vintage cartridges that Chakster and I have been promoting for years.
If these qualities can cross the 'divide' into the videos.....then I can demonstrate the fallacy of the 'MCs are better than MMs' debate and the greater fallacy.....'expensive' MCs are better than 'cheap' MCs.

At any rate.....being able to hear the sound of some of these cheap vintage MM cartridges, may convince those who might never have the chance....to 'take the plunge'....😎

Finally Slaw.....please DO listen and give me your thoughts.
I think they will be valuable....👍

Great shots as always Chakster.....👍
Fascinating information on the AT-ML180 OCC....but we have inadvertently uncovered a troubling anomaly as my ML180 OCC is described as having "gold-plated BORON cantilever" 🤪
Can you upload your Serial No which may tell us something....?
I can't find any Date on my package. Do you have one on your's?
My Package
My Stylus

when listening to the X1 two things came to mind, good horn speakers and my Decca London.  I chose the comparison to horns beacause I was comparing the AT to Maggies and wanted to keep it consistent.

I agree the tonal balance of the X1 is reminiscent of the London Decca Reference in its seductive midrange warmth...but the LDR has a narrower soundstage than the X1 and its 'highs' are not as shimmering or transparent.
I will do an LDR comparison on the FR-66S tonearm shortly.

I've had a few AT cartridges (AT-155Lc, AT-20SS, AT-150ANV, AT-13Ea, AT-33MONO, AT-ML180) and they do share a 'House Sound' IMO....
Whilst they may indeed have a neutral, linear frequency response...I have never liked their high-frequency 'edginess'.
With their Signet branding for the US market.....they tamed this aspect of their presentation and produced (to my ears) a warmer, more 'emotional' overall 'sound'.

Glad you like the Thread Harold.....I'll keep them coming as there are many revealing comparisons to be heard 🧐

Halcro, I would gladly see an Ultra 500 in your collection hopefully in some day soon and hear your thoughts about ...

My first Shure was an ML-140HE which impressed me.
Somewhat later I tried a NOS V15 Type III which I didn't think was better than the ML-140HE....
When I tried it with a Jico SAS stylus however........I was mightily impressed 🤯

No hint of `edginess´ and truly a more sophisticated HF presentation with more nuanced and yes a `warmer´ and if you like more `emotional´ (natural) sound. 

Totally agree...
So much so, that it is one of my standard recommendations for anyone thinking of trying vintage MM cartridges.
Because so many were made.......it is very easy to pick up a V15/III body for $200-300 and then add a SAS stylus.
This combination will see off many of the high-priced modern MCs on the market.
If you've heard this combination Harold.....do you think the Ultra 500 will be better....?

Regards
Henry

I think you are right about the sticker on the box Chakster......
I wonder if there is a difference in sound between the Boron tube and the Beryllium cantilever...🤔
My cartridge model preferences have overwhelmingly consisted of those with Beryllium cantilevers.
Because no-one can use Beryllium for their cantilevers
anymore.....modern cartridges just cannot compete IMHO and those who haven't heard vintage models WITH Beryllium.....simply have no idea what they're missing 😛 

OK....this is an interesting comparison 🧐
A current US$10,000 LOMC Cartridge (The Palladian) against a cheap vintage MM (Victor Z1) fitted with a Jico SAS stylus.

The Acoustical Systems Palladian is one of the finest current LOMC cartridges I've heard, beating out....in my system.....Lyra Helikon, Lyra Titan i, Lyra Atlas, Dynavector XV-1S, ZYX UNIverse and lots of others.

ACOUSTICAL SYSTEMS PALLADIAN
Titanium bush-hammered body with Micro-Line Stylus on Aluminium Cantilever.
Running directly into the Halcro DM10 Preamp/Phonostage.

VICTOR Z1/SAS
Next in line after the X1 in Victor's MM hierarchy, the Z1 is plentiful and cheap on the Japanese used cartridge market.
With a SAS stylus attached......its performance exceeds the Victor X1-IIE in my system.

I posted about the Victor Z-1 in my first month at Audiokarma(look at the date in the post #8):

That's a while ago Theophile......
I hope you still have that Victor Z1 cartridge as you won't believe how it sounds with a SAS stylus?

There are many more vintage MMs from my collection that you will hear on this Thread.
You apparently have the same desire for the 'realism' of MMs over MCs that a lot of us also share 🤗

Regards

Interesting insights once again Frogman....
I'm a little surprised by your thoughts on the Victor's 'lacking' in the frequency extremes as this is not noticeable to me in reality....?

For me.....this Joan Armatrading track shows a cartridge's ability (or not) to convey the 'emotion' buried in the vinyl.
Does the YouTube reproduction allow you to comment on that aspect?

Regards

Fascinating Frogman........
You're obviously a musician and your insights are eye-openers for me 👁
I really appreciate your time in giving me this kind of 'feedback' 👍

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the other cartridges yet to come....

Yes...there are sometimes reasons I have to use different arms.
And then again....you'll hear my other (belt-drive) turntable with altogether different arms entirely....😛

Regards
Henry

I just listened again Frogman.......
And I heard all the things you pointed out...🎶
I must admit that I don't really listen normally, from such an analytical perspective....but it's so obvious when you are 'briefed'....
Your descriptions are so much more insightful than the Reviewers' favourites:-

• Attack
  
• Sustain
  
• Micro Dynamics
  
• Macro Dynamics
  

Which frankly are totally meaningless to me....🧐

Thanks again...

Time to hear the belt-drive Raven AC-2.....
A classic vintage Ortofon SPU AE Gold with elliptical stylus (sorry Chakster) against the current SPU Silver Meister compared to a vintage Signet TK-7LCa MM cartridge with nude square shank Line Contact Stylus on Beryllium cantilever.

ORTOFON SPU AE GOLD
A taste of the delicious, renowned SPU legendary sound.

ORTOFON SPU SILVER MEISTER
Current production model among the many SPUs available today.

SIGNET TK-7LCa
35 year-old TOTL MM from Signet, a USA specialty off-shoot from Audio Technica.

I listened to the track on Tidal and the tweets are NOT there. I think it's his phone!

Bingo Noromance.......
It IS the phone...😛👍

Sorry I couldn't organise it to ring at the same place with the other cartridges Frogman.....🤗

Regards
Henry

The truth is that a great table and arm will make inexpensive cartridges sing.

👍

Just returned from a short trip expecting to read Frogman's promised impressions of the SPUs and Signet......
Where are they....??!!
Frogman......where are you?
I need your spot-on analysis to show me what to listen for......🎶😎

Regards

This is for Frogman......
Telemann Oboe Concerto in F Minor.
Hope original Baroque Oboe is acceptable....?

The Acutex LPM420-STR MM Cartridge was able to be picked up 'for a song' NOS only 5 years ago.
Loaded at 47K Ohms with about 300pF capacitance, it's a worthy performer.
The Grace F9E MM Cartridge is a perennial vintage favourite among many audiophiles (particularly in its 'Ruby' cantilever version).
This one is the 'normal' cantilever and sounds its best in my system when loaded at 30K Ohms with about 90pF.

ACUTEX LPM420-STR MM CARTRIDGE
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

GRACE F9E MM CARTRIDGE
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

Where does one find an SAS stylus for the Victor Z-1 ?

Good question......
It used to be easy....just go to the Jico Website, look up the cartridge you're interested in (Victor Z1) and see all the Jico replacement styli available for it.
One of them would be a SAS....the most expensive!!
The SAS was a radically profiled diamond (some say similar to the AT ML Microline) glued to a solid boron cantilever.
A few years ago, when boron became scarce.....Jico changed to sapphire cantilever and ruby cantilever and call them Neo-SAS(S) and Neo-SAS(R).
Since about Feb 2018 the Neo-SAS has not been available.
One rumour is that the elderly Master Japanese Craftsman who was the only one able to assemble the SAS styli has retired and Jico can thus no longer supply them 🧐.

This is tragic for the analogue community IMO and we all hope that Jico can solve their problems and return to supplying the SAS Styli once again.
Meanwhile there is an 'extortionist' market on Ebay where SAS styli are being offered at higher prices that Jico sold them when NEW.....🤯

Interesting Frogman....
I again agree with you in your descriptions of the two SPUs but your summary of the Signet is a little surprising....🤔 as the metal sleigh bells at the beginning sound just as shimmery and 'ringing' in realtime in my room....as they do on the MCs.
This is something I always listen for when I play any cartridge on this track....
Your comments on the 'cowbell' are insightful as that has always escaped my attention.
That is why this exercise is so valuable for me and your way of 'listening' is so enlightening.

Unlike you....I cannot hear the 'dynamics' of MCs as being distinctly different to that of MMs or MIs so that probably explains my general preference for really good MM cartridges.
Our ears all hear differently (even if it's only slightly).......with all the improvements in digital playback during the last ten years, I still can't comfortably listen to it for an extended period whereas many audiophiles can and some even prefer it to analogue 😱

MC is lush, sweet, detailed, and colored.
MM is clear, neutral, spacious, easy to follow.

I tend to agree with Noromance as a generalisation.....although the SPU Silver Meister is definitely less coloured than the AE-Gold 😃
But the luscious tone of the old SPU is just soooo seductive......

I think noromance’s description of MM/MC’s was in reference to the three cartridges in question only and not a generalization.

 
Of course it was.....😎 I have to 'proof-read' more thoroughly. What I have in my 'mind' often doesn't translate into the correct words.

I like your 'generalised' descriptions of the 'sounds' of MCs and MMs and my favourite LOMCs tend to 'buck' this generalised trait.
I had the VdH Grasshopper and found it far too shrill and aggressive in my system.....perhaps exaccerbated by mounting it in the low-mass Unipivot Haycock GH-228 😱
The revelation of your system's 'all-tube amplification' puts into perspective your 'likes' and comments as does the all SS amplification of my system 👅
I'd be interested in whether or not you can detect the SS nature of my amplification from the Youtube video sounds?

Oh yes...I have the Acutex LPM420-STR as well as the Acutex LPM 310,312,315 and you'll certainly hear the 420-STR soon.
You'll also hear the Shure V15 Type III with original stylus and also with the Jico SAS.
The Empire 4000D/III Gold, London Decca Reference and Denon DL-103R I also have as well as some other interesting MMs and LOMCs which you may not have heard.

I'll keep the 'sounds' coming as long as the 'feedback' shows interest....🤗

You need a good DD table-LOL

👍

OK...time for some piano 🎹🎼
Most audiophiles seem to agree that realistic piano reproduction is the most difficult thing to achieve via domestic hifi systems.
The complexity of the piano in being a stringed and percussion instrument at the same time means the 'touch' on the keyboard, the attack of the fingers, the tone of the soundboard and the sustain and decay of the notes via the pedals are just as important as the softness 'piano' and loudness 'forte' the player injects into the performance.
To achieve a realistic facsimile of the 'power' of the Concert Grand....I have found two 'aids' which are beneficial:-

• Two good subwoofers
• A very good DD turntable

The subwoofers allow the 'foundation' of the piano's bass reproduction to resonate throughout the performance whilst at the same time, relieving the main amplifiers output to be concentrated at the sheer dynamic range of transients and harmonics inherent in this instrument.

Perfect timing (ie speed control/consistency) is essential in once again projecting the speed and instantaneous dynamic swings of loudness and softness produced by this wondrous instrument.
Many folks laugh at the notion of 'stylus drag' in a turntable (particularly those belt-drive tables of massive weight and solidity) but those who have a Sutherland Laser Timeline can attest to the fact that it surely exists.
A great DD table is the 'easy' way to eliminate 'stylus drag' which is most audible on piano reproduction (see Timeline Test).

Here are two of my favourite cartridges.....
One a LOMC and the other a MM.
An unexpected discovery in my listening experiences has been the JMAS MIT 1 LOMC Cartridge which was a slightly modified Coral mc81 from the late '80s with the first true VdH diamond fitted on beryllium cantilever available in the States.
The Garrott P77 is a legendary MM made by John and Brian Garrott in Australia, based on the A&R P77 from England.
I bought three of these cartridges directly from the Garrott Bros in the '80s (before their tragic suicide pact with their wives) but when I transplanted a Jico SAS,NeoSAS(S) and NeoSAS(R)....I hear the real brilliance of this classic MM cartridge.

JMAS MIT 1 LOMC Cartridge
Mounted on SAEC WE8000/ST Tonearm on bronze Armpod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

GARROTT P77/SAS MM Cartridge
Mounted on DV-507/II Tonearm on bronze Armpod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

Thank you again Frogman....
A fascinating dissection (which is why I love to read your comments) full of details that again seem to escape my attention 🤯

I must admit that I agree with you and Noromance that the MIT-1 is the clear winner here...
Being able to hear these performance side by side at the press of a button is quite different to listening 'live' where the time-delay in changing arms and/or cartridges reveals the shakiness of our aural memory....👂

I must admit disappointment in your comments about the 'poor recording' because I actually always thought it excellent with believable realism, nuance, heft and clarity.
With your musician's trained acumen, your verdict has left me desolate....😩

Cut to the quick by Frogman's scorn and derision at my last demonstration using recorded 'piano'.....I hurriedly rummaged through my collection for one which might gain his approval....🙏🏽

Keeping the JMAS-MIT 1 as a 'control'.....I substituted a vintage Victor X1-IIE for the MM comparison.

JMAS MIT-1 LOMC Cartridge
Mounted on SAEC WE8000/ST Tonearm on bronze Armpod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

VICTOR X1-IIE MM Cartridge
Mounted on DV-507/II Tonearm on bronze Armpod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

Please be kind....

Hi Harold,
All Amplification operating in ‘Balanced’ mode and all cartridges operating in ‘Balanced’ mode with XLRs except for LOMCs when played on the Raven AC-2 as they go through the Kondo KSL SUT which has only RCAs in and out.
LOMCs from the TT-101 go straight through the Halcro DM-10 with XLRs in fully balanced differential mode.

Wonderful insights once again Frogman....🤗
At the end of this exercise, I think I'll ask YOU to rate my cartridges for me......✊
Interesting also to compare your thoughts with those of Noromance....
Audio is a very personal experience and that's probably why I don't know any two audiophiles with identical systems...👅

The Victor X1-IIE is the same as Chakster's X1-II except his has a Microline stylus instead of the Elliptical on my one.

'Love Letters' by Ketty Lester recorded in 1961 is from the 1945 movie of the same name.
If you have the Ketty Lester version....forget all the others 😎

Many audiophiles have heard the reverential tones used to describe the London Decca Reference Cartridge by those few who have heard or owned this 'exotica'.
My example was obtained from a dear audiophile friend in Argentina who is currently building his dream 'Listening Room'.
No. 84 is a good one.....

The vintage Fidelity Research FR-7 Series of LOMC cartridges has acquired 'Legendary' status over the past 20 years with good reason.
My FR-7f together with the FR-7fz are generally rated as the best of the genus. 

LONDON DECCA REFERENCE MI CARTRIDGE
Mounted in vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable.
Loaded at the peculiar 15K Ohms with 430pF capacitance, the FR-66S is the best match of all my arms for this unique gem.

FIDELITY RESEARCH FR-7f LOMC CARTRIDGE
Mounted in vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable.

You sure the Decca works well at 15k? Some say 33k, or 47k. But what about 1meg? You may be surprised.

With the Halcro DM-10 PhonoStage, I have infinitely adjustable Loading from 15K Ohms to 60K Ohms and infinitely adjustable Capacitance from 0pF to 430pF so I've tried just about every combination for the LDR.

Sometimes I'm happy to listen at 47K Ohms with zero Capacitance but when I really balance the response against my trusty 50 year-old Rita Coolidge album 'Good Old Days'.....I think the 15K/430pF sounds quite well in my system 🤗

Thank you Harold....
I didn't know how this Thread would be received as I didn't know whether the subtleties of different cartridges.......and we are talking MINUTE subtleties in many instances.......would be able to be discerned via the YouTube sound capabilities? 🤔
To say I'm astounded by Frogman's ability to hear artefacts and nuances that I was never 'consciously' aware of sitting in front of 'The Real Thing'....simply blows my mind 🤯

I have played records for several musicians but none has had the ability to separate the 'performance' from the attempted recreation of the 'musical fidelity'.

I have never heard audio equipment designers speak in the same terms as Frogman....
Current manufacturers  seem to have different 'approaches' to WHAT they are trying to accomplish in their designs and HOW they attempt to achieve them.

All Audio Designers would do well I believe.........to carefully read Frogman's comments in this Thread and 'reflect'.....
Only 'good' can come of listening well and taking note 🎼 

I admit to being a little surprised by how the London Decca Reference beat the Fidelity Research FR-7f LOMC in the 'Love Letters' Test because the FR-7f is a great cartridge.....

Let's try the LDR against my second Signet TK-7LCa with a NOS original stylus.
This stylus is so new....it has less than 3 hours play-time on it 🤗

SIGNET TK-7LCa MM Cartridge
Mounted in vintage Fidelity Research FR-66S on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable.

LONDON DECCA REFERENCE MI Cartridge
Mounted in vintage Fidelity Research FR-66S on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable.

Yes Frogman....
I have a pair of Vandersteen 2Wq Subs.
One behind each main speaker.

That's what I hear Noromance.....

Thank you Frogman for once again contributing a perspective and detailed analysis which is invaluable to me 😎

Regards
Henry

There were mainly two high-end cartridges that Sony were renowned for in the 80s and both were LOMCs.
The XL-55 is perhaps the best known although the XL-88 and XL-88D (with one-piece diamond-cantilever/stylus construction) is the better model IMO.
The XL-88D was the most expensive cartridge in the world when it was released and sold in Germany for 7500DM which was more expensive than Volkswagen in its days.
There are scant technical specs available on the XL-88 but I found these:-
Specs: 
Type: moving coil
Output Voltage: 0.4mV
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50kHz
Tracking Force: 1.2-1.8g
Mass: 6.8g 
Channel Separation: > 33dB
The compliance is rather high for a MC at 20-6cm/Dyne and they both sport Hyper-Elliptical styli.
As the XL-55 and XL-88 appear to share much of their construction, I post it HERE as it's interesting 🤔

The Signet TK-7SU is essentially the same cartridge as the TK-7Ea and TK-7LCa except with a Shibata stylus instead of the Line Contact of the LCa.

SONY XL-88 LOMC CARTRIDGE
Mounted in vintage FR-64S (Silver-Wired) ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

SIGNET TK-7SU MM CARTRIDGE
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.
Apologies for the loss of sound near the start...🤪 

Very very interesting Noromance......🤔

Yes, a vote for same arm/same cartridge comparisons.

Haha......I agree that sounds like it would be ideal 🤗
But it ain't going to happen...👎
You know I have 6 arms (5 different ones) on two (different) turntables.
So 5 different cartridge geometries with various headshell materials from metal, wood, carbon-fibre.....
There is then the issue of cartridge to arm matching.....
The Copperhead is the best 'Universal' arm IMO being immaculate with every cartridge....MM, MI, or MC high/low compliance..the 'best'.
But it has no removable headshell and is a total 'beast' to set-up correctly.
The three Fidelity Research arms (FR-64S and FR-66S) are virtually as 'Universal' whilst having removable headshells and being easy to set-up.
The DV-507/II is brilliant for all my high-compliance MMs but is not as great with the MCs.
And it is NOT particularly 'happy' with the LDR (you both know this problem)....mis-tracking at the same point on all records 👹
The SAEC WE-8000/ST is happiest with the LOMCs and does less justice to the MMs.....
All my arms have been selected to have near-identical performances with the cartridges that suit them the best. You have to trust me on this one....🤥
I have tried the LDR on ALL my arms and head and shoulders....it sounds its best on the FR-66S.
The variables are significant I admit......with two very different turntables and five very different arms with cartridges matched to different headshells (and different leads).....the permutations and combinations are outrageous.....
But it is what it is 👐
How about I play the same recording with the LDR on the FR-66S and the Signet TK-7LCa on the same arm and turntable? The Signet TK-7SU is identical to the 7LCa except for the Shibata stylus...

PS I couldn't agree with you more Frogman.....Deccas never let me down whilst Mercurys and even RCAs often frustrate.

I also play 'requests'.....

LONDON DECCA REFERENCE MI CARTRIDGE
Mounted in Vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TWAcustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable
Listen for the cicadas chirping in the garden. An Australian summer indicator...😘

SIGNET TK-7LCa VINTAGE MM CARTRIDGE
Mounted in Vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TWAcustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable
Listen for something MORE frightening.....
The 'ruler of the house' saying "enough is enough"....turn it off!!!
I transcended my 'Loud Listening Timeframe'...🥺

Thank you Harold and Frogman for your understanding and kind words....😍
And thank you again Frogman for such a detailed and instructive analysis of the Signet and Decca and your kind words about my System.
Coming from you....it means a great deal to me 🤗

I hope it's instructive for others.....that most of these listening sessions and detailed analyses and impressions, are done with cartridges which are NOT LOMCs?
The vast majority of my collected cartridges comprises 2nd hand (or NOS) vintage MMs mostly over 35 years old bought for $90-$1000 (the average would be $500).
The supposed 'superiority' of the $10,000-$20,000 uber MCs which are establishing a 'Market-for Themselves' is a myth.
You will find exactly the same differences and nuances between them as you are hearing with the 'lowly' MMs.

I will eventually do a 'mad' comparison between my cheapest NOS ($110) MM and my most expensive ($10,000) LOMC.

Stick around......🤪

And now for something completely different......🎸

The Empire 4000D/III Gold was one of the first vintage MM cartridges I acquired after reading about it in Raul's MM Thread here on A'Gon.
It was cheap (even though NOS) and it opened my eyes (and ears) to the 'real' sound of music I had been missing since my last MMs 20 years previously.
The 4000D/III was high-compliance with a miniature nude stylus on a tapered gold-anodised aluminium cantilever.
It had a wide frequency range of 5-50K Hertz making it suitable for 4-Channel.

The Fidelity Research FR-6SE on the other hand was far lower in compliance, consistent with the Company's obvious aim to make it compatible with their high-mass Tonearms like the FR-64S and FR-66S.
The FR-6SE, with its Elliptical Stylus, sounds unlike most other cartridges you will hear being warm, full-bodied and robust. No brittleness or high-end annoyance in sight 😎

EMPIRE 4000D/III GOLD MM Cartridge
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

FIDELITY RESEARCH FR-6SE MM Cartridge
Mounted in FR-64S (Silver-Wired) ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable.

Mea Culpa Frogman.....
I shouldn't have editorialised so much in the prologue...🥺
And you're right about the similarities of both cartridges.....that's why I paired them.
You're also astute in picking the slight 'edge' that the Empire has over the FR-6SE.
The Empire is a very under-rated cartridge IMO with not many audiophiles sampling it because:-

• It's MM
• It's high-compliance
• It's cheap on the 'used' market

The Fidelity Research MMs need high-mass, high-quality arms to show their best.
The FR-6SE's 'cousins'....the FR-5 and FR-5E are even warmer and 'murkier' making them too much for even a SS amplification system (unless your speakers and room are also too 'bright').

But you've brought up a serious point about synergy and 'system matching'......
There are many cartridges which will match a particular 'system' more than others will.
It should not be a blanket statement about the 'quality' of such cartridges.
That's why it's so advantageous to sample a wide range of cartridges in your particular system to find those that 'illuminate'....🎇🎼

With vintage MMs.....that task is easy and 'fun' whilst if you attempt that exercise with current MCs......you need a friendly 'banker' 🤯

Harold.....both cartridges loaded at 60K Ohms with no added Capacitance.

Because the vintage FR-7f was heard previously on Ketty Lester's 'Love Letters'.....I thought we needed to hear it further 🤗
And against my 'Mainstay' MM reference.....

FIDELITY RESEARCH FR-7f LOMC Cartridge
Mounted in Vintage FR-66S ToneArm on TW Acustic Raven AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable

SIGNET TK-7LCa MM Cartridge
Mounted in Continuum Audio Copperhead ToneArm on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable

Victor X-1 and X-1II have Beryllium/Shibata whilst X-1IIE has Titanium hollow pipe cantilever and nude Elliptical stylus. 

Over the years, I’ve read many Reviewers and Audiophiles describing the ’speed’ and ’attack’ of MC Cartridges as a distinction to MMs.
I have to admit that I don’t hear this......not that I’m denying others can 🤔

Perhaps you can hear something in this comparison between the JMAS-MIT 1 LOMC and the classic vintage SHURE V15/III MM...?
But this Shure V15/III is fitted with a Jico SAS Stylus which really improves what is a pretty decent cartridge.
Viva Ginger Baker.....🥁

JMAS-MIT 1 LOMC Cartridge
Mounted in Vintage SAEC WE-8000/ST ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

SHURE V15/III MM Cartridge with SAS Stylus
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

Isn’t it amazing......
My ‘aural’memory is so bad that only when I flip back and forwards between both videos is what you say, so obvious.....🙉
It’s really night and day.....

My only concern is with your ‘brightness’ comment on the MIT1......
In my room, the cymbals have just the right degree of ‘shimmer’ and ‘transparency’ without undue emphasis.
Perhaps because the bass (which is REALLY deep) does not have the correct ‘heft’ in the video....it ‘slants’ the ‘balance’....?

I would still love to hear your thoughts on the Signet/FR comparison Frogman.
Thanks......

Many audiophiles have been using the Denon DL-103R LOMC cartridge (and variations of it) for decades and some serious High-End users still have a 'soft-spot' for it in their Systems.
For $300-$400 it would seem like a bargain to sample the MC sound...?
Let's see how it sounds against a vintage MM cartridge like the Fidelity Research FR-6SE which can be had on the 'used' market for much less than the Denon....

DENON DL-103R LOMC Cartridge
Mounted in Vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable

FIDELITY RESEARCH FR-6SE MM Cartridge
Mounted in Vintage FR-66S Tonearm on TW Acustic AC-2 Belt-Drive Turntable

PS
The album is Bande Originale du Film de Fernando E. Solanas 'SUR'
composed and interpreted by Astor Piazzolla.
I bought it without the cover.......

Thank you Invictus and Harold for your kind words 😎
You're right Harold......
WRITING about the 'sound' of different cartridges is such a subjective exercise and ultimately proves nothing to anyone......
I wanted to 'objectify' this process (if possible via the YouTube limitations) by allowing for 'real-time' comparisons of cartridges on a unified 'real-world' system as heard from the 'listener's seat'.
Most cartridge comparisons on YouTube take the phono-feed directly to a DAC or USB feed which 'digitises' the analogue signal and removes the entire 'playing system' from the equation.
You thus don't get to hear Phono-Stage, Preamp. Amps, Cables, Speakers nor ROOM effects in those videos.
With my videos.....what you hear is what you get.....except in reality I get to hear it in far better resolution, detail and quality 👅

I would not be so cavalier as to 'wipe out' MC Cartridges based on my experiences.
I have bought (and kept) dozens of LOMCs over the years and still enjoy many of them alongside my favourite MMs.
The ones you will hear here (except for the Denon) have a place in any decent system IMO.
No....the principle reason I have campaigned against the 'supposed' superiority of MC Cartridges is that there is no 'inherent' superiority of one form of cartridge over another in my experience.
So when some 'boutique'  garage-based two-man businesses produce their 'hand-made' (because MC cartridges HAVE to be) latest exotica for $10,000, $15,000.....$20,000 🤯
I am outraged......
Those cartridges simply do not necessarily sound any better than cheap MM models....especially those designed and manufactured in the 70s and 80s (The Golden Age of Analogue).

There will inevitably be a legion of well-heeled audiophiles who can afford the best and 'expect' that the prices they pay will be reflected in the 'sounds' that they hear!
Without 'objective' assessments able to be agreed upon......the 'street-cred' they have with their audiophile buddies by dropping the names Atlas, Colibri, Koetsu, Miyajima, ZYX et al is all they really need 🤗

In line with the preceding statement......I promised earlier, to post a comparison between my most expensive LOMC Cartridge and my cheapest MM.
The Acoustical Systems Palladian LOMC Cartridge is beautifully designed and made and costs $10,000.
This exercise is not intended to embarrass or shame the Palladian as I don't regret buying it and will continue to listen to it.
I have compared it to the Lyra Atlas, the ZYX UNIverse and the Dynavector XV-1s in my system and prefer it.

The JVC 4MD-20X cost me $110 a few months ago for a NOS example, and was a lower-cost model than the 4MD-1X which is somewhat better.

As I discovered via feedback from Frogman......my aural memory for detail is not good as I tend to just listen 'for enjoyment'......
In other words.....I can enjoy many different cartridge presentations without consciously separating out the detailed differences.
To compare any of these videos here.....I urge you to listen on a computer (rather than a phone or tablet) and open up two windows (or three if there are three cartridges).
By switching between videos of the two cartridges (at the click of a button).... 'in real time' .....you will hear the differences magnified.

ACOUSTICAL SYSTEMS PALLADIAN LOMC Cartridge
Mounted in SAEC WE-8000/ST ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

JVC 4MD-20X Vintage MM Cartridge 
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

Perfect 'score' once again Frogman....👍
I agree 100% with all that you say (and hear)......
Of course.....there are some who would shrug their shoulders UNLESS the lowly 4MD-20X actually BETTERED the $10,000 Palladian...🤯
Life is not quite like that........
I merely wanted to reassure those who are on a tight budget vis-a-vis cartridges.....that cartridge designers NEVER set out to produce a 'poor' sounding cartridge.
They are merely constrained to do their best within strict budget constraints and this example may be the 'widest' difference you may hear between the 'Uber' cartridges and the 'Budget' ones.....

You will hear with coming MM comparisons against the Palladian......that competition can get a whole lot closer....🤗

I have been buying vintage cartridges (of all types) for over 10 years....
Not because I don’t like the prices of NEW ones....but because I have found the ’sound’ of cartridges made in ’The Golden Age of Analogue’ (70s to 90s) to be superior to ’modern’ ones.
Most Reviewers will have you believe that there have been advances (both in materials and technology) over the last 40 years but that is not true for cartridges IMO......nor for Tonearms or Turntables for that matter.
All the serious ’advanced’ styli profiles were developed decades ago and utilised consistently in MM designs as well as MCs.
All the cantilever materials such as diamond, sapphire, ruby, boron, carbon-fibre were also invented and used in the ’Golden Age’.
But the ’Golden Age’ had access to materials and technologies that are no longer available......
Beryllium cantilevers anyone.....?
Despite what some designers might tell you about the physical properties of boron that make it the ’best’ material for cantilevers......the vast majority of my favourite cartridges have ’beryllium’ cantilevers which are no longer available.
Hollow-tube aluminium....? tapered tube.....? carbon-fibre/beryllium composites.....?
None of these is commercially available today......

If so many advances have been made over the last 40 years......it stands to reason that cartridges made today would ’wipe the floor’ with vintage models......?

The following ’Shoot-Out’ is between the top-of-the-line Audio Technica AT150ANV (made in ’Limited Edition’ a few years ago) and the 35 year old top-of-the-line Audio Technica AT180ML/OCC.
The AT150ANV famously beat out 8 other cartridges (including the $9000 Ortofon Anna LOMC) in a ’blind’ listening test conducted by Michael Fremer.

VINTAGE AUDIO TECHNICA AT-180ML/OCC MM Cartridge
Mounted in DV-507/II ToneArm on solid Bronze ArmPod surrounding Vintage Victor TT-101 DD Turntable

MODERN AUDIO TECHNICA AT-150ANV MM Cartridge

Quite believable Invictus.....
I’m not the greatest fan of the AT sound (except in their US Signet guise)....agreeing that their midrange is typically lacking in your well-described “illumination and technicolor” 👍

This particular comparison is strictly for identical ‘model’ cartridges by the same manufacturer....from different eras.....
I think they’re pretty similar in frequency response....but what you can’t discern in the YouTube ‘sound’ is the slightly greater ‘magic’ in the 180ML.....