Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

Ghost said:
Different cartridge question:

Anyone else’s cart ride this low on their Technics?? Only way I’ve gotten some clearance is putting the VTA as high as it goes but that has it tail up like a mofo!

Edit: I realized my tracking force was likely crazy out of whack, I just realized that the previous owner of this 1200G had the extra counterweight installed at the back of the arm and my tracking force gauge was all thrown off.

Went ahead and removed the extra counterweight, rebalanced the arm, redid the tracking force and there’s definitely way more clearance between the deck and the cart now.

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Stack a couple mats to get up to 5mm+ and adjust VTA.
 
Angsty said:
Do what makes you happy.

This is a hobby, not critical infrastructure. Ultimately, engineering and physics won’t matter if you’re unhappy with the result.
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Isn’t this hobby all about making yourself happy? Is for me. Ever since the ‘70s when the Japanese manufacturers were having a contest to see how low they could get their THD numbers down to like .00001% and the gear sounded like crap I’ve just learned to be a more discerning listener and believe what I was hearing. No need for numbers to tell me what sounds good and the results definitely make me happy! 😊
 
Angsty said:
Do what makes you happy.

This is a hobby, not critical infrastructure. Ultimately, engineering and physics won’t matter if you’re unhappy with the result.
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Wait I actually forget if you’re a pro or against cables guy. Can you give me the quick run down 😅
 
Ghost said:
Wait I actually forget if you’re a pro or against cables guy. Can you give me the quick run down 😅
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I am a cable skeptic. But, I do think aesthetics matter. I’d pay more for prettier cables than butt ugly ones.

I am one of those people who are happiest when the science and engineering aligns with my experience. Everyone does not experience things that way.
 
Angsty said:
I am a cable skeptic. But, I do think aesthetics matter. I’d pay more for prettier cables than butt ugly ones.

I am one of those people who are happiest when the science and engineering aligns with my experience. Everyone does not experience things that way.
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You have expressed your impression on this before. We get it. I choose to not be skeptical of anything when it comes to audio. Pretty isn’t a factor in my purchasing decisions - I listen mostly in low light or dark conditions. It’s about the music and how it moves me.
 
OMC said:
You have expressed your impression on this before. We get it. I choose to not be skeptical of anything when it comes to audio. Pretty isn’t a factor in my purchasing decisions - I listen mostly in low light or dark conditions. It’s about the music and how it moves me.
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I literally didn't get it which is why I asked!
 
Aesthetics matter. Most people aren’t going to be lucky enough to have a room with a system in it where they can close the door when it’s not in use and it doesn’t matter that it looks like a carbuncle. These things sit in most of our living rooms or open plan areas, they have to either blend in or stand out positively in a way so many high end bits don’t.

As for the rest, yeah sound matters most and that’s a human perception thing. But equally engineering matters, I want this multi thousand euro costing thing to last and not blow up on me. The measurements crew are certifiable insane though.
 
Joe Mac said:
Aesthetics matter. Most people aren’t going to be lucky enough to have a room with a system in it where they can close the door when it’s not in use and it doesn’t matter that it looks like a carbuncle. These things sit in most of our living rooms or open plan areas, they have to either blend in or stand out positively in a way so many high end bits don’t.

As for the rest, yeah sound matters most and that’s a human perception thing. But equally engineering matters, I want this multi thousand euro costing thing to last and not blow up on me. The measurements crew are certifiable insane though.
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Pictures of audio gear that look like carbuncles, please. 😜
 
Joe Mac said:
But equally engineering matters, I want this multi thousand euro costing thing to last and not blow up on me. The measurements crew are certifiable insane though.
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There is a median point between reliable engineering and excessive measurement anxiety. Every competent engineer measures but not all measurement results are audibly significant.

I like to balance capable measurements, cost and aesthetic qualities. I tend to lean toward spartan, but every now and then a little bit of bling doesn’t hurt.
 
Joe Mac said:
Metaphors not existing in America would explain a lot right now.
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Joe, have you ever owned a piece of audio gear that you were embarrassed to let anyone see? I doubt it. Metaphors are one thing, hyperboles are another.
 
Angsty said:
There is a median point between reliable engineering and excessive measurement anxiety. Every competent engineer measures but not all measurement results are audibly significant.

I like to balance capable measurements, cost and aesthetic qualities. I tend to lean toward spartan, but every now and then a little bit of bling doesn’t hurt.
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They do but the issue I have with the measurement crew is that they’re set on a sort of audio purity that doesn’t exist and often actually goes against what’s actually pleasant to experience. They also focus on certain measurements out of context. Audio engineers will be seeking to create a sound or profile that they find pleasant or agreeable or that is a brand house sound and will use their expertise to achieve that.

As for looks beauty is often in the eye of the beholder but symertry and simplicity of pallet and materials tends to help. Not making speakers look like precariously stacked cardboard boxes is generally also a decent starting point…
 
Since the search function hates three letter words, I'll toss this question in here: Does anyone have experience with the Dynavactor xx-2? Any of the variants are of interest. xx-2, xx-2 mkii, xx-2a
 
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