Audio Technica AT-VM95SP - a good upgrade for 78s?

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  • Опубліковано 28 лис 2024

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  • @ShellacScrubber
    @ShellacScrubber Рік тому +11

    The reduction in surface noise with the new cartridge is down to TWO things: to a lesser extent, the fact that the stylus profile better fits the groove, but moreover, the attenuation in the high frequencies as the result of the reverse RIAA equalisation curve applied by the phono preamp.
    The older ceramic cartridges naturally exhibit a sonic characteristic that (Sort of) approximates the reverse RIAA curve without the need for active filtering.
    None of which makes for accurate tonal balance in 78 playback because there were many, many different "curves" applied to recordings throughout the era of electrically recorded 78s.
    The "Modern" era of LP and 45rpm recordings used the aforementioned RIAA curve which, in the cutting process, heavily attenuated lower frequencies to prevent large excursions of the cutting head causing overlaps in adjacent grooves. Also a boost at the higher frequencies whilst cutting provides a reduction in surface noise when the reverse characteristic is applied during playback.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому

      Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, I have not attempted to do anything about the RIAA compensation. I believe both of these extremely cheap phono preamps will apply it, and I can take it off in software, but didn't attempt to do so in this video. Interesting to hear that the ceramic cartridge may counter the effects of this to some extent also.

  • @Denis_K._1985
    @Denis_K._1985 8 місяців тому +3

    My record player is a DUAL 1210 and I have an AT-VM95SP for my Beethoven shellac records.
    It is a good system with a good sound quality.
    For my vinyl records I have an AT91.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  8 місяців тому +2

      Interesting to hear. I don't play many vinyl records, but my wife has a large collection. We have a Pro-ject turntable in the house with a low end Ortofon cartridge in it (the one it came with). Thanks 😀👍

  • @pip5528
    @pip5528 Рік тому +3

    Interesting to opt for a stereo cartridge but they do have their uses regarding surface noise. The true mono VM670SP is more expensive and sadly the AT-MONO3/SP was discontinued a few months ago. The Grado 78C is a bit more and true mono but I of course opted for the Nagaoka MP-110 fitted with a 3-mil stylus and later a Grado 78E as I've mentioned before. Great content as always!

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +2

      Yes, the cartridge was a bit of a compromise. Basically, the cheapest 'proper' 78 cartridge I could find, although of course it's just a standard stereo cartridge which is sold with a stylus suitable for 78s. It seems a likely popular upgrade for anyone using a cheap ceramic cartridge, but I really don't know. Audio Technica had them available to order, so presumably, they must sell a fair few of them. I have one or 2 vintage mono cartridges, which I may compare again at some point also. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks 😀 👍

  • @PassCookie
    @PassCookie 10 місяців тому +2

    i started with this. it's not perfect but i had so much fun with it. i'm hearing everything from 20s german music to 30s dance music to 50s rock and pop on 78. but now i'm uprading. a Lenco L78 Turntable with a new plinth, an ortofon 212 tonearm and an Ortofon SPU Mono 65! the king of 78rpm cartridges!

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  10 місяців тому

      Sounds like you have a great upgrade! 👍 Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure how much to spend on a 78 cartridge. There isn't much choice, but the AT-VM95SP seemed like a reasonably priced option. Thanks 😀 👍

    • @PassCookie
      @PassCookie 10 місяців тому

      @@mrrgstuff as i said the audio technica one is awesome, and the Ortofon SPU 65 cost 999€ new BUT a friend of mine bought it rarely used/like new for 350€ from ebay (now mine) and another one sold on ebay a few month ago again for the same price. These cartridges are rare but buyers are rare too so if the startingprice is 350€ you will probably the only one who bidds like it was the case on those last 2 auctions. If you are into this or if any other person reads this: just keep your eyes open and wait.

  • @ScottGrammer
    @ScottGrammer 9 місяців тому +1

    Fine job modding your old BSR to accept the AT cart. I have the same cart, as well as an NOS Shure M78S, and they sound different, mainly due to the fact that the Shure has a 2.5 mil stylus and the AT has a 3.0 mil stylus. When I transfer a 78 to digital, I try them both and go with whichever is cleanest. As another commenter noted, the RIAA EQ is not right for these records, although it can be a bear figuring out which of the dozen or so common 78 eq curves IS right. I have settled on the idea that whichever one sounds best to my ears, over my very familiar monitor speakers, that's the right curve. Great video!

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  9 місяців тому +2

      Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it. The BSR might be a little too vintage really, but works well. I did have to make a new idler wheel for it:
      ua-cam.com/video/6NEZzPQCl00/v-deo.htmlsi=KRyzDz0OF4ya-mGt
      As to audio processing, I do use noise reduction, but haven't tried any sort of curve adjustment. It's something I could look into more.

  • @jeffreysantner3717
    @jeffreysantner3717 5 місяців тому +1

    Compared to the glassy higher highs of the other 78 cart, the AT cartridge sounds surprisingly flat but, less surface noise. AT carts can often sound too bright especially for noisy 78s. If the turntable works, keep it, just make sure the motor doesn't add noise to your transfer. And yes, that is a soppy sappy sounding tune.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  5 місяців тому

      Thanks 👍 😀. Yes, I'm going to keep it for the moment. I do find the surface noise a bit high, as you say, but I can clean that up a bit afterwards. I've just wired up a reasonable amp and some little speakers to it also. I may fit a mono switch to reduce the listening noise down a bit too (though may not be useful for transfers). Main issue is that the BSR mechanism won't play smaller 78s (8" and below) as it wants to auto return too early.

  • @rocketaroo
    @rocketaroo 11 місяців тому +1

    It sounds better, but there is a huge difference in cost and quality. A comparison with a good old ceramic cartridge would been interesting. I have recently got a 78rpm stylus for the inexpensive AT3600 cartridge, and am happy with it. I did consider your cartridge, but wasn't prepared to go that expense.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  11 місяців тому +1

      That's interesting. I didn't know the AT3600 cartridge took a 78rpm stylus. I agree the one I fitted was quite expensive and to be honest I have barely used it. Must get around to recording some 78s on it and also connecting up speakers for actual listening 😅. I had intended to try a vintage ceramic cartridge and I still may do so. Thanks 😀 👍

  • @stereogramfan
    @stereogramfan 11 місяців тому +1

    There’s less surface noise with the Audio Technica. I have a BSR changer and I use a Sonotone cartridge with a LP/78 flipover needle to occasionally play my very small 78 collection plus my other records with the LP needle. It works well. It’s slightly too fast though as with most BSR changers. The early 70s radiogram which it is in needs a service as is has now started humming loudly when turned on.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  11 місяців тому +1

      Yes, a flip over stylus is a great thing, and I do miss it with this setup. I really need to get a better phono preamp and also wire up some speakers as I have barely used the cartridge since I fitted it. Thanks 😀 👍

  • @matthewrichards88
    @matthewrichards88 Рік тому +3

    Fantastic sound. Less surface noise on the newer csrreidge.
    As these phono amps add RIAA eq for 50s tecords oneards, i would add an equaliser in software or one of those rrom an old hi fi snd adjust it bt ear. Brilliant modification to the BSR. I think these BSR will keep playing forever they're sturdy for 78s

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      Thanks 😀 👍. I did consider multiple different ways to mount the cartridge, but in the end, I opted for this super simple mod. The BSR is a very solid 'Professional' model found in a charity shop. I have replaced the idler wheel on it already:
      ua-cam.com/video/6NEZzPQCl00/v-deo.html
      Yes, there will be incorrect RIAA equalisation added by both preamps. Thanks for the suggestions on that front 👍

  • @amirsyazli1621
    @amirsyazli1621 Рік тому +2

    I think it sounds a little better like there is less surface noise but I’ll just stick to by banpa with BSR stylus because I don’t really need some fancy stylus but it can probably help with those acoustic records, because when I play my acoustic records which are recorded in the late 1920s on my turntable, there’s alot of surface noise so that stylus could probably help. I also thought of a video idea, what if you play 78s with a finger nail or toe nail? because I saw some people that they did that before and it sounded ok

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому

      Yes, I certainly don't regret buying the Audio Technica, but is it better than the Banpa, well it's not so clear. I will do some more tests at some point as it's not just surface noise which might differ between the two. Finger nail or toe nail I've not heard being used, but I can see how that would work. Thanks for the suggestion. I may give that a go! Thanks 😀 👍

    • @ninobenjamin4067
      @ninobenjamin4067 Рік тому

      The bar stylus is not 3 mil though I don't think which is needed for shellac 78s

  • @78s_TheArtists_AndTheHistory
    @78s_TheArtists_AndTheHistory Рік тому +1

    another fantastic video!

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому

      Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you liked it 😀

  • @vogelfranzi5315
    @vogelfranzi5315 4 місяці тому

    Sounds wonderful

  • @joaomarcelobadu
    @joaomarcelobadu Рік тому

    And what about off centered records? My father had a Garrard 730-S (Gradiente) that had a removable center pin. For some off centered records, I used to remove the center pin and manually placed the record, spinning it to check if the track wont wabble.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      I've not had too much trouble with off centred records, but yes, a removable centre pin would be really handy for that. Otherwise, I think they would suffer from additional wow and flutter. Thanks 😀 👍

  • @NippersLounge
    @NippersLounge Рік тому

    I have this same stylus.I also have an audio-technica turntable, which this stylus is designed for. Plus it has a built in preamp.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      That's interesting to hear. How do you find it performs? Thanks 😀 👍

    • @NippersLounge
      @NippersLounge Рік тому

      It performs rather well! Even better than my SHURE M78S.😀@@mrrgstuff

  • @ailthescamp6187
    @ailthescamp6187 Рік тому

    I’ve emailed you in regards to the Phillips 3d printed parts

  • @davidk6271
    @davidk6271 Рік тому

    Did you wire the cartridge for mono? I preferred the old cartridge. I wouldn’t waste my money on a new turntable, unless by new you mean old , but new to you and then only if it were a few pounds.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +2

      It's wired for stereo, but I combined both channels into mono in software for the video. I'll probably mainly use it for digitising records, but if I start listening to more just for pleasure, I'll sort out some sort of mono switch for it. Thanks 😀 👍

    • @davidk6271
      @davidk6271 Рік тому +1

      @@mrrgstuff i wired my stereo cart for mono and the difference was huge. Cheers, D

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      I'll have to look into that again. So far I've just converted to mono using software, which certainly seems to sound clearer than the raw dual channel signal. Thanks 😀 👍

    • @boballmendinger3799
      @boballmendinger3799 Рік тому +1

      @@mrrgstuff if you keep it wired for stereo, you can isolate bad sections to see if one channel is better than the other. In Audacity, copy the better channel over the worse channel for the bad section, so you can still merge both channels to mono without the offending bits.

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      @boballmendinger3799 Yes, apparently, there is some automatic functionality in Audacity that can compare 2 tracks and only keep the bits which are the same. I have had a little play with it and it seems promising for reducing the surface noise. Thanks 😀 👍

  • @tarstarkusz
    @tarstarkusz Рік тому +5

    The new one is definitely quieter, but it is also less "bright," I think. Should you buy a better turntable? HELL NO. The BSR is way better built than anything you can buy today and you are never going to get the alleged benefits of a "better" turntable playing old worn out 78 records. Frankly, even if you decide to buy a "better" turntable, you should either hook it to a stereo with a proper phono pre-amp or buy a proper (better) one first. You will probably get more bang for the buck with a better pre-amp (or just use the one in a decent stereo) than buying a new or old high end turntable.
    Phonographs, like most other things very quickly reach a point of diminishing returns. This BSR is probably just a slight bit down from the sweet spot. But upgrading the cartridge might have pushed it up into that sweet spot.
    To get 20% "better" audio from a turntable requires spending 5 times (or more) as much money. Then you have to add in that you are playing very old and heavily worn 78s. Maybe some of your better 78s would benefit, but the one in this video, not so much. many of your records likely have seen dozens of plays on a wind up phono with a worn out steel needle.

    • @spahr001
      @spahr001 Рік тому +2

      If you really wanted to get obsessive you could get a turntable that you can make minor adjustments to the speed on due to 78 rpm records not being consistently recorded at 78rpm. Other than that you seem to have one of the better BSRs.

    • @tarstarkusz
      @tarstarkusz Рік тому +1

      @@spahr001 The problem with that idea is you are just doing it by ear. There is no way to know what the actual speed should be. It's not like they are stamped with the correct speed. Sometimes it is so large that it's obvious the record is "out of tune" but most of the time it is subtle.
      AFAIK, the speed problem is with very early 78s.

    • @franknewman1194
      @franknewman1194 Рік тому +3

      @@tarstarkusz Actually, determining the correct speed is not that hard in most cases. All you need is a simple keyboard and some knowledge of basis musical theory. Norman Field had a whole website about pitching 78's with plenty of examples. If a record is just playing a little bit too fast or too slow you probably won't hear it, unless of course you have perfect pitch. But the reality is that it wasn't until the mid 1930's that record companies got their act together an all records played correctly at 78.26 rpm. Take for instance the Victor label: practically all Victor records recorded in the years before 1927 play too fast at 78.26 rpm. Usually the correct speed is somewhere between 75 and 76.5. So having a turntable with continuous variable speed is really a must. They don't have to be very expensive: several Audio Technica USB models have it. Or, if you want to go the vintage route, try to find a Lenco L75 or something like that.

    • @tarstarkusz
      @tarstarkusz Рік тому +2

      @@franknewman1194 From what I understand, by the late 20s, pretty much all the record companies followed the standard other than Edison, which was a different standard.
      All the record companies in the early days were all over the place.
      I don't have any musical theory. Though, I can with near 100% accuracy pick out when music is playing 25% too fast on youtube., I often watch videos at 1.25 speed. Sometimes I;ll forget and play a song. But I don't think any of them are anywhere near 25% too fast or slow.

    • @franknewman1194
      @franknewman1194 Рік тому +2

      @@tarstarkusz Towards the end of the 1920's more record companies were moving towards 78.26 rpm. However you still can find records that play either too fast or too slow well into the 1930's. I have a couple of Brunswicks from 1932 that should be played at around 80 rpm. We're certainly not talking about 25% deviations here. With most 78's (at least the ones I encountered) any speed variation is usually withing the plus or minus 5% range. But make no mistake: that's almost a complete semitone off. You don't need perfect pitch to notice this.

  • @amirsyazli1621
    @amirsyazli1621 Рік тому

    Hey just asking for advice, I recently bought 2 mercury records from patti page for free, because one of the records is split in half and the another record is split in half but the other half is split into two. I bought some super glue but I am not really sure how to connect them properly, can you help me?

    • @mrrgstuff
      @mrrgstuff  Рік тому +1

      For the one split in 3 pieces, I would join the 2 smaller pieces first and then join it to the other half.
      Super glue is very messy and unforgiving so don't apply it straight from the tube, squeeze a little onto some paper or card and apply it from there with a small nail, or similar.
      Key thing is to practice with the pieces and see how they fit best together and whether you should hold them, or try lying them down on a surface. If you do use a surface then be aware that any leaking glue will stick the record to it! It will also easily stick to your fingers! Masking tape can be useful to hold the pieces together.
      Apply glue only to very edge of the break as you don't want any getting in the grooves, and work quickly as the glue can set very quickly too. Good luck 😀👍

    • @amirsyazli1621
      @amirsyazli1621 Рік тому

      Thanks for the advice😀