|
Post by julesd68 on Jan 4, 2016 18:33:23 GMT
A couple of weeks ago I acquired a very low hours 33PTG/II but at last I have got it up and running today...
It hasn't been plain sailing. I needed a female DIN to phono cable for the Lentek and ordered one to be made for me to spec by an ebay trader I had dealt with before. The cable never turned up and my emails were eventually not replied to. It was bought direct, not through eBay, so I gave up waiting and wrote if off. Ordered a cable elsewhere and then tried to fit the cart. It's a deep bodied cart and unfortunately AT supply two pairs of bolts neither of which worked with my arm- too big or too small! Ironically there was a bolt supplied to fix the cart to its box housing that was a perfect 16mm fit but there was only one of these! So had to wait another few days to get some 16mm bolts from a mate of mine. Bit fiddly setting up this afternoon but I am now up and running- phew! Getting the nuts on the bolts was testing my patience and the stylus is so small I found it difficult to see at times when setting up!
I have only been able to have the very briefest of tests so will report back when I have spent a few hours with them. What I heard sounded very promising though - very crisp treble and excellent sense of dynamics and energy to the music. Most likely pulling out more detail than the Garrott. The Lentek seems to offer amazing sound per pound and appeared well matched to the AT. Of course if I decide to stick with the cart there would be the chance to play with more exotic head amps or SUTs at a later date but for now I want to enjoy what this new combo can offer.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 5, 2016 0:25:24 GMT
Very nice, Jules, and glad you got there in the end. I still have the PTG and find it a very even handed cartridge with great tracking and better balance than an OC9. I can only guess that the PTG/II is even better.
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 5, 2016 5:42:25 GMT
Great news Jules Great when all that effort and waiting pays off
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jan 5, 2016 8:02:30 GMT
Sounds a bit of a saga but well done for perservering! With regard to screw lengths, as long as they are more than the minimum length required, you can always insert them from the bottom. This makes doing the bolts up a lot easier, too, although it doesn't look quite as nice. But it might have got you up & going a bit sooner. Sorry if this is stating the bleeding obvious, but it took quite a while for me to suss this out!
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 5, 2016 8:10:55 GMT
Yes, that's the way I've always done it because it's easier to turn the nuts.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 5, 2016 8:15:37 GMT
It's good when you have threaded holes and normal holes!
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jan 5, 2016 9:15:37 GMT
Oh shite. I would have been perfectly happy with the bolts the other way round - would have saved the painstaking nano-surgery with the nuts and I could have used the nice bolts with the gold finish... Well you live and learn!
No listening today as have taken my boy to do an 11+ exam. All a bit testing on the old nerves!!
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Jan 5, 2016 9:26:59 GMT
You can get stainless steel nut and bolt sets with the longest bolts just fine for these AT's. The nuts for better in recessed slots such as the Rega RB and Linn arms have and steel washers are often supplied for flat-topped headshells.
Rather than pratt around with adaptors, try to get the Lentek exit cable replaced with a twin cable so RCA's can be fitted. Some Lenteks had the circuit board potted in, so it may be more difficult to do.
|
|
andy831
Rank: Soloist
Listening to Joni most of the time
Posts: 12
|
Post by andy831 on Jan 5, 2016 9:32:40 GMT
Excellent cartridge for the money.
I had an original PTG mounted in my AO PU7 for quite a few years which I really enjoyed and simply wore it out, I then replaced it with the AT33EV rather than the PTG II. At the moment the EV is not quite as convincing as the PTG but its very early days having only used it for maybe 4 sides of record to date so there is a considerable breaking in to do yet.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jan 5, 2016 9:41:55 GMT
Oh shite. I would have been perfectly happy with the bolts the other way round - would have saved the painstaking nano-surgery with the nuts and I could have used the nice bolts with the gold finish... Well you live and learn! No listening today as have taken my boy to do an 11+ exam. All a bit testing on the old nerves!! Ay-oop. So I wasn't stating the bleeding obvious. You know, if there are issues it's always worth asking for advice before, rather than receiving it after. -- and good luck with the 11+! Who is more nervous? - you or the lad?
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jan 5, 2016 9:57:36 GMT
LOL. Didn't occur to me that I could have done anything other than get the right size bolts!
I didn't sleep at all well last night and am definitely feeling some anxiety... I think my son takes these things more in his stride than me!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2016 11:07:07 GMT
Sounds a bit of a saga but well done for perservering! With regard to screw lengths, as long as they are more than the minimum length required, you can always insert them from the bottom. This makes doing the bolts up a lot easier, too, although it doesn't look quite as nice. But it might have got you up & going a bit sooner. Sorry if this is stating the bleeding obvious, but it took quite a while for me to suss this out! Always mount this way but used Allen bolts instead of those supplied by AT for my 33EV. A lot easier than using a screw driver. Mounting bolt kits with spanner and Allen wrenches available from SRM/Tech. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SRM-TECH-PRO-CARTRIDGE-MOUNTING-KIT-/272088080730?hash=item3f59b6a15a
|
|
|
Post by daytona600 on Jan 5, 2016 11:08:48 GMT
33PTG/II is a Hidden gem in the audio techica stable 33 Range still going strong after 30years , AT33SA New one with a shibata profile is excellent
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 5, 2016 11:46:02 GMT
What profile does the PTG/II have?
|
|
|
Post by daytona600 on Jan 5, 2016 13:27:36 GMT
33PTG - Micro Linear Stylus with Boron cantilver 33SA - Shibata Stylus with Boron cantilever
|
|
andy831
Rank: Soloist
Listening to Joni most of the time
Posts: 12
|
Post by andy831 on Jan 5, 2016 13:49:33 GMT
33EV elliptical Stylus with a tapered duralumin cantilever
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Jan 5, 2016 18:03:50 GMT
No listening today as have taken my boy to do an 11+ exam. All a bit testing on the old nerves!! Failed mine and look where it got me
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jan 6, 2016 13:25:35 GMT
OK chaps I've had the chance to do a proper session with a variety of music now.
What I like about this cart -
- resolution and clarity - the instruments can appear to sound somewhat 'purer' - doesn't get flustered by any recording
What I don't like -
- lacking some warmth compared to my Garrott, I would like a touch more - lacking bass weight compared to my Garrott. Dropping the arm down a touch has helped, but still feels a little light in this area - not as kind to surface noise as the Garrott
What is clear is that I need to judge this cart on its full potential, so the question is how much better it can sound with an upgraded head amp or SUT. The Lentek is fantastic for the money, but possibly not quite good enough in my system as it stands. I won't know until I try the cart with something else.
If anyone has any advice about what head amps or SUTs would be a step up (excuse the pun) without breaking the bank, that would be most helpful. If anyone has one that I might be able to borrow for comparison that would be most fab ...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 13:34:20 GMT
I moved on from a Lentek to an RFC MC1, but there is admittedly quite a difference in price. The Lentek is superb, but needs a fresh 9v battery to get the best out of it. I would recommend a head amp which doesn't need a battery if possible. MC1 by losenotaminute, on Flickr
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 6, 2016 13:39:13 GMT
Lacking some warmth, not so kind to surface noise and a slight (and I mean only slight) lack of weight sound like exactly the attributes of my 33PTG. It's a great all-rounder but there are areas where it doesn't do quite as well as >£1k models. I think that a good phono stage will give you much more of everything but you will never completely hide the basic nature of the cartridge.
Why not try borrowing a phono stage so that you can discover what is left on the table and whether it's worth the upgrade?
|
|