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I noticed some distortions a couple of weeks ago while listening to the recent mono Beatles Rubber Soul without summing the channels. So, I put on some headphones to investigate further. It was a mess. Sibilants smeared from side to side and there was a crunchy layer anytime things got a little dense. It sounded like a Grado Prestige at the end of a Todd Rundgren record. Since the last three carts I've had were AT Line Contact/Microline styli, I'm not used hearing such things, unless the record is damaged. I checked a few other records I know to be cut hot, and the same problem is there.
I checked adjustments, leveling, etc... everything was dead on. The adjustments are solid and easily repeatable on my tonearm. I played with VTA, VTF & overhang. I could dull some of the S's by increasing VTF and lowering the VTA, but the crunchiness was still there and of course, much of the magic was gone too. The strange thing is, if it's dialed in correctly, it sounds gorgeous, as long as the tracking isn't challenging.
The only other cart I have here is a very worn AT440mla that has been laying unboxed on a shelf for years. It probably had nearly 2000 hours on it. I slapped it on, without fussing at all with adjustments, It tracked perfectly! No distortion, no indication that I was listening to a mechanical device at all! It's not as fun to listen to and I don't want to damage my records with the old stylus.
I've had the ART7 for 19 months. I spin 2 to 3 sides almost every evening. That should still have me well under 1000 hours. The amount I spent for it is a bit of a splurge for me these days. I truly love the way this thing sounds, when it's working properly. I've had many very nice cartridges in my life, and this baby could sing!
Thanks for letting me rant. I guess I'm not really looking for an answer. Should I send it to Soundsmith?
I could buy another one, but not if I have to replace it so soon.
Mark
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Topic - Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - Meatface 12:29:20 11/25/16 (37)
- Since you've had it for 19 months... - EdAInWestOC 05:37:53 11/28/16 (0)
- Giving up, for now. Ortofon Quintet Black on the way - Meatface 16:01:19 11/27/16 (0)
- Art 7 - Cuernavaca 13:13:56 11/27/16 (1)
- RE: Art 7 - Meatface 15:42:39 11/27/16 (0)
- I read all the replies - I think the cartridge is simply defective... - vinyl1 12:25:40 11/27/16 (1)
- RE: I read all the replies - I think the cartridge is simply defective... - Meatface 12:45:41 11/27/16 (0)
- What is your VTF setting? - Cougar 20:32:12 11/26/16 (9)
- RE: What is your VTF setting? - Meatface 08:37:06 11/27/16 (8)
- RE: What is your VTF setting? - John Elison 09:12:21 11/27/16 (1)
- RE: What is your VTF setting? - Meatface 09:32:16 11/27/16 (0)
- When I had my ART9 at.... - Cougar 08:47:35 11/27/16 (5)
- RE: When I had my ART9 at.... - Meatface 09:05:44 11/27/16 (4)
- RE: When I had my ART9 at.... - flood2 13:45:58 11/27/16 (3)
- Expert Stylus contact by phone? - Meatface 16:10:34 11/27/16 (1)
- RE: Expert Stylus contact by phone? - flood2 00:09:15 11/28/16 (0)
- No no..... not going to use the 440mla... - Meatface 15:51:54 11/27/16 (0)
- 800-1000 hours seems about right for a line contact styllus, IMHO... - viridian 21:22:57 11/25/16 (4)
- Well 3 x 30 x 19 * .4 = 684 hours... - vinyl1 12:22:17 11/27/16 (2)
- RE: Well 3 x 30 x 19 * .4 = 684 hours... - flood2 13:48:33 11/27/16 (0)
- RE: Well 3 x 30 x 19 * .4 = 684 hours... - Meatface 12:41:11 11/27/16 (0)
- RE: 800-1000 hours seems about right for a line contact styllus, IMHO... - Meatface 21:50:05 11/25/16 (0)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - John Elison 20:31:28 11/25/16 (11)
- ART9 vs ART7 - tketcham 06:17:16 11/28/16 (9)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - John Elison 09:32:13 11/28/16 (8)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - tketcham 12:17:05 11/28/16 (7)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - neobop 15:21:49 11/28/16 (6)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - tketcham 18:51:44 11/28/16 (5)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - John Elison 20:07:48 11/28/16 (4)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - tketcham 10:33:43 11/30/16 (1)
- RE: ART9 vs ART7 - John Elison 12:51:42 11/30/16 (0)
- 10Hz cu - neobop 07:24:23 11/30/16 (1)
- RE: 10Hz cu - John Elison 12:57:34 11/30/16 (0)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - Meatface 21:48:45 11/25/16 (0)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - teenage diplomat 18:52:07 11/25/16 (1)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - Meatface 21:01:23 11/25/16 (0)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - Jeffrey Lee 14:18:58 11/25/16 (1)
- RE: Short Life For ART7? (longish rant) - Meatface 16:19:58 11/25/16 (0)