The 2M Black flagship from Ortofon is widely acknowledged as being one of the best MM cartridges on the market, but at Ortofon being the best doesn’t mean that we can’t get better.
Q. Are Audio Technica cartridges any good?
The Audio-Technica VM540ML is a very good quality phono cartridge whose performance is quite comptetive against some of the more expensive cartridge products out there. For the price, it’s sound quality is a worthy step up from the Shure M97xE, should you wish an upgrade.
Table of Contents
- Q. Are Audio Technica cartridges any good?
- Q. What does anti skate do on a turntable?
- Q. How do I calibrate my turntable speed?
- Q. Which is better MM or MC cartridge?
- Q. Why is my Audio Technica skipping?
- Q. Is anti-skate necessary?
- Q. What happens if anti-skate is too high?
- Q. Why does my vinyl sound fast?
Q. What does anti skate do on a turntable?
Turntable anti-skating is a feature used in phonograph turntables to prevent skating of the tonearm.
Q. How do I calibrate my turntable speed?
Some turntables with have speed adjustment screws – check your owners manual to find out where. Usually, turning these screws clockwise with speed up the platter and anti-clockwise will slow it down. Once you’ve amended the screws, test again with a strobe disc or phone app until you get the speed you desire.
Q. Which is better MM or MC cartridge?
Both cartridge designs can sound excellent but the MC variant has the ability to go one step further and reach audiophile heights. Generally, the best value, lower cost, cartridges are of a MM design. Those who are looking to achieve the best overall sound for turntables often choose the moving coil cartridge.
Q. Why is my Audio Technica skipping?
If the weight is set too low, the needle might slide across the grooves in your record, which makes the music jump. This skipping could damage your record. If the weight is set too high, the needle presses into the grooves of your record with too much intensity and distorts your music.
Q. Is anti-skate necessary?
YES – you DO need anti-skating. It is just simple physics. Setting it where it provides equal force per groove wall for where music spends 80-90% of its time is simply correct – 30-40% average modulation level antiskating adjustment makes FAR more sense, both from the standpoint of listening, and wear.
Q. What happens if anti-skate is too high?
When there is too much anti-skating force, it will cause too much pressure to be applied to the right or outer groove walls, causing a higher level of distortion on the L channel. Our theory of optimizing anti-skating is to equalize the level of distortions between the right and the left channel.
Q. Why does my vinyl sound fast?
This problem is most often due to a belt that is improperly installed. If the belt slips out of the groove when the turntable is played and is able to ride up or down on the spindle, the platter will spin too fast. You’ll need to adjust the position of the belt on the inner ring of the platter.
