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Review 2 of 2
Price Paid:
$0.00 Summary:
What I needed was a replacement for the Shure VMR. Since I had a Pickering XV-15 body (Same as stanton 680 & 681 bodies), I picked up a 681 EEE MKIII stylus ($69 List). As with any cartridge exact set up is EXTREMELY important and you must use a protractor for overhang adjustment and a test record for anti skate adjustment. I also set the tone arm head shell parallel to the record surface while playing (Rake angle). Frequency response using an RIAA pink noise test record CBS ST -140 bands 5B & 6B, Citation 11 phono section and a Heathkit spectrum analyzer gave me a small 2 to 3 dB rise in the 10kHz to 15kHz range which is typical. (The 680 HiFi that I am using in a record changer measured the same as did a 680 SX Stereohedron stylus and a Pickering 625E stylus.) The VMR measured FLAT. I was able to flatten the peak by adding 82K resistors (actually trim pots) at the phono inputs. This gave a big soft sound but there was a loss of detail. Tone arm resonance is in the 8Hz to 9Hz range for an old SME 3002 MKII with the lateral weight removed (Why do you need it?????). So, a typical medium-lowish mass tone arm should work o.k..
I would spend a lot more on a cartridge but none of the hifi mags I subscribe to publish frequency response graphs, T.H.D. curves or square wave for their cartridge reviews as they did 30 years ago! Strengths:
Excellent value for the money. Excellent tracking with good clarity and detail. Surface noise is very low compared to a line contact stylus which can be quite noisey. Some records sound almost new! (I said almost). I can hear the background tape/electronic hiss on some recordings. The stylus may be playing lower in the grove than a line contact. Not perfect but the cartridge lets the music come through to you.The Bass response is very good, nearly as good as the VMR which was the best! Rings less than typical Stanton/Pickering & Shure cartridges. Made in U.S.A.! Weaknesses:
Slightly bright compared to the VMR. The midrange is a little light and laid back . (The 680SX is very slightly fuller sounding) Does not have the total neutrality of the VMR but what cartridge does?
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