In article om, RJH
wrote:
On 14/12/2012 14:16, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Bob Latham
wrote:
In article , Jim Lesurf
wrote:

My only personal experience with the Linn was ye olde Ittok/Asak.
Which I found a total PITA. Massive end-of-side distortion even when
aligned as well as possible. It always puzzled me that people seemed
not to notice this.

I've never noticed it at all.

It depends on the type of music played. It seemed very obvious to me
on orchestral climaxes with massed strings, etc, at an end-of-side.
But may well not be noticed on others things like rock music with
electric guitars and drums. It may also hinge a bit on how familiar
the listener is with live music inc things like massed strings, etc.
And FWIW my impression was that the mistracking could give more
'impact' to rock music, so a result that I guess some people would
like, depending on taste in music, etc.


I found it very cartridge dependent. For example, I simply couldn't get
a Goldring (1040 ISTR, and not cheap) cartridge to track properly at all
on inner tracks, with distortion on vocals and strings.

My comments (above) were really directed at the Asak, having had to use one
for some time before/during a show ages ago. I've *assumed* the Ittok
wasn't really a main factor. But for all I know, it was. However the
experience just encouraged my move towards a direct-drive and a Shure.
Happy with that to date. :-)

More generally, poor tracking can arise for various reasons, due to
cartridge, or arm, or some detail of setup not being correct. Lots of
variables to get 'not quite right', alas.

I've had this experience with several other cartridges, and leaving
installation error aside (it's one of the few things I can get right!),
I found it baffling that the issue wasn't widely reported. Sample
variation? who knows.

The solution for me was/is the AT OC series. I imported a couple from
the US - about 1/4 of UK retail after tax and handling.

Back to the OP - I think this phenomenon is too subtle to explain what's
happening though.

Rob

In general, something I noticed over the years was that MC carts often
tended to have a far higher tip mass, and much lower compliance than
something like ye olde Shure MMs. That does mean more force is needed to
push the stylus modulation. I suspect that also means it becomes easier for
something like a setup problem or arm pivot friction to tip pun alert!
the mistracking up to high levels, or cause the stylus to leap out of the
groove in extreme cases. The difficulty, though, is trying to diagnose the
specifics in cases which you can't check though and measure or experiment
with. So we can only guess the reasons for the OPs problem and suggest
plausible candidates for investigation.

When I did compare some 'modern' cartridges a few years ago I did like the
Orthophon 'M2 Black'. But my feeling was that even this had a much higher
tip mass and low compliance than an old Shure. However it worked well. I do
regard AT as a good maker, but I haven't tested or used any of their
cartridges in decades. So as things stand if I wanted a new cartridge it
would be the M2 Black, I guess. It is annoying that some items (like the AT
OC) are 'difficult to get' in the UK. Much the same problem as afflicts
things like SACDs or high res downloads. Given the touted 'globalised
market' it is curious that individuals may have to go out of their way to
get such items from Japan or the USA. Sometimes in the face of restrictions
on purchase.

Slainte,

Jim

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