Barry
Rank: Trio
Posts: 195
|
Post by Barry on Apr 10, 2016 21:27:21 GMT
Hello stranger! I actually knew that the Zeta would work well, Barry, I was referring to Mr Custard's (the OP) arm. Oh, I see! Deccas ought to work well in the Mission 774 arm, as well as the Zeta and oft-mentioned Hadcock and Decca arms.
There is a lot of mythology about Deccas, and what is and isn't an acceptable arm to use them in. Having a pitifully low compliance (especially vertical), it's true Deccas do put a lot of unused energy into the arm which either has to be absorbed or dissipated. It is often said that the best arms for Deccas are unipivot designs, but that is not true. Neither the Decca Professional, nor the Decca ffss were unipivot designs. I have successfully used Deccas in SME arms and an Infinity 'Black Widow' arm.
As an experiment, I might try one of my Blues in my Breuer arm.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Apr 10, 2016 21:48:06 GMT
I don't expect one has been tried in a Technics arm with a carbon fibre Funk Firm tube though, hence the uncertainty expressed in my post.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2016 15:37:56 GMT
The AT33PTG/II has arrived. I quite like it so far, so once it has broken in it should be rather nice.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2016 19:01:36 GMT
So, how much better are the more expensive cartridges than my humble AT33PTG/II? The imaging of the AT33 is sublime. I am listening on my headphones (through my KIN preamp and Solo UL headphone amp) as my daughter is now in bed and the sound is almost holographic, sounding superb and I am told there is more to come?
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 13, 2016 21:42:44 GMT
I have a 33PTG (not the Mk.II) and a Shelter 5000. The 33 is a great all-rounder, but what you get for paying 4x more is structural solidity, greater texture, finer detail, holographic imaging, absolutely stonking dynamics and bass that goes quite a lot deeper. More of everything the 33 does well, in other words.
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 14, 2016 9:40:34 GMT
Interesting stuff. My experience has been confined to mid-tier MMs, but a relatively inexpensive MC is sitting near the top of wishlist. Wonky, how do you find the AT33 compares to your MMs in terms of high-frequency detail?
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 14, 2016 10:03:36 GMT
I can say that mine absolutely kills any of my old carts in terms of the top end ...
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 14, 2016 10:09:04 GMT
That's good to know! It's the one area where my digital set-up clearly outperforms my turntable, and it would be nice to bring them more into line.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2016 10:48:52 GMT
Top end is superbly detailed in comparison to the MMs. I don't regret the purchase at all.
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 14, 2016 13:29:10 GMT
Yup, I'm with wonky on this one!
This cart tells it like it is, good or bad ...
I wouldn't be able to afford to better this for a long time ...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2016 13:50:51 GMT
I am still wondering how an IQ3, Music Maker III and MP500 (amongst others) compare. More importantly, I am happy to wonder as I am enjoying what I have.
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 15, 2016 10:30:08 GMT
Do you have the impression that there's anything you're missing in switching out the MMs - as I recall you have a 2M Black, which I gather is no slouch - or does the AT33 seem to be delivering the same or better performance across the board?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2016 10:44:02 GMT
It's still a bit too early to say. The AT33 has a presentation I prefer to the 2M Black, and is easier to set up.
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 15, 2016 10:54:44 GMT
Of course - well, be sure to report back once it's broken in! I'm currently running a Nagaoka MP150 on one TT and a 2M Blue on the other - I like them both, but I do feel like I could be getting a bit more at the top end. I had been thinking that I'd upgrade to better MM - I had my eyes on the 2M Black - but if the AT33 can deliver the high-frequencies whilst retaining the things that the MMs do well then it's a no-brainer at that price.
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 15, 2016 17:25:01 GMT
Pinch - any Nagaoka won't compare to the 33PTG/II in terms of top-end retrieval! I've had several Nags - all very pleasant but slightly soft in the treble for me ...
If you can get a very low hours one like I did or one from the chap off the Wam, it is certainly heading towards no-brainer territory ...
The only 'but' is making sure you have a head-amp or SUT that is of equal quality.
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 15, 2016 17:27:39 GMT
Nice - cheers Jules! 'Equal quality' might be stretching it, but baby-steps
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2016 10:03:57 GMT
Do you have the impression that there's anything you're missing in switching out the MMs - as I recall you have a 2M Black, which I gather is no slouch - or does the AT33 seem to be delivering the same or better performance across the board? I don't feel that there is anything missing. It sounds less analytical than the 2MB, goes just as deep - if not deeper. What it gives you on top is a lucid mid and top end, without being harsh or bright. Better, wider presentation is also a bonus. You can almost locate the performers relative to each other. The detail it drags out of the grooves is also a bit of a shock - I didn't think that there could be any more, but I guess this is down to the better cantilever material compared to the 2MB. I am now seriously contemplating thinning out my MM cartridges and getting another MC later this year/next year. Maybe something further up the MC ladder, but I am nervous of the law of diminishing returns. A Dynavector XX2ii seems like an interesting prospect. But as you say, baby steps.... Just one point to note, this is being used directly into the MC stage of my Firebottle KIN.
|
|
|
Post by mikeyb on Apr 16, 2016 18:53:01 GMT
The Hana cartridges seem to be getting good reviews at £447
|
|
|
Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Apr 16, 2016 19:32:27 GMT
I have a 33PTG (not the Mk.II) and a Shelter 5000. The 33 is a great all-rounder, but what you get for paying 4x more is structural solidity, greater texture, finer detail, holographic imaging, absolutely stonking dynamics and bass that goes quite a lot deeper. More of everything the 33 does well, in other words. Yes good description Martin, that's how I'd characterise the Gullwing compared to the DL S1.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 16, 2016 21:05:53 GMT
I've never heard a Gullwing, but I'd like to!
|
|