Cartridge suspension, more lies

Certainly the guys at ES are scrupulously honest in their cartridge assessments. Nonetheless, I'm not entirely convinced by my rebuilt and retipped Troika. I don't blame ES for this, just don't think retipped carts are very much like new ones - wait a minute, could Linn be right?

Alex

About a year or so ago I bought a used LP12 with Ittok and original Linn Karma. The guy said he had hardly used the deck at all.

Judging by the sound (smooth, sweet treble etc) there was very little wear on the stylus. Problem was the music sounded very slow and boring. My dealer said much the same as the above post, i.e. that cartridge suspensions start to deteriate after about 2 years or so whether they are used or stored.

Steve B

Perhaps, but I think Linn just want you to buy a new cartridge.
malcolm

It would be interesting to know what measurements ES Co. used to figure out that the suspension isn't tired. Usually, there is no obvious indication - no wear in other words - when the suspension has had it even though the material has changed. The change is usually a case where the rubber mounts have bcome plasticized.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Frank,

IME, one can usually detect whether the cartridge suspension in question has gone off by very gently applying pressure via one's finger to the underside of the cantilever causing it to swing a few degrees along its range of 45 degree travel relative to vertical (test both directions i.e. left and right channel 45 degree movement).

A good damper will exhibit firm resistance (especially so with MCs) and the cantilever will spring back to its rest position quite rapidly, whereas, a bad one will feel soft and spongy with the cantilever exhibiting slow (dying) and/or only partial (dead) spring back.

Interestingly, Ortofon's MCs have the best suspension damper longevity of any I've tested. I've a 20 odd year old MC20 that still sounds as good as it did after initial run in, which is very surprising as it has spent most of its existence languishing away in its box (like tyres, rubber dampers tend to better maintain their elasticity with regular use).

So, go ahead, give your cartridge the...er...finger today.*

Craig
* the usual disclaimers apply i.e. at your own risk, not responsible for equipment damage, personal injury, loss of quality of life etc.

[This message was edited by Craig Best on FRIDAY 15 November 2002 at 17:38.]

So the respected ESCo. are wrong?
Who do we trust with our carts, now that Linn don't want them.
malcolm

Sorry to be pendantic, but I don't believe that Linn's three bolter is quite that old yet.

IIRC, it will be a couple of years yet before the Karma sees its 20th.

Craig
Resident Historian

Ho-Hum...

The Troika goes back to 1986. I used to work on the local Linn dealer way back in 1985-87 and I remember when the first Troikas arrived......and the start of the drilled-hole-for-3rd-screw Ittoks era began!!!

The Tropical Linnie
Flat-Earther circa 1984
LP12/LVII/Karma/Cirkus/Trampolinn/Wakonda/Genki/2*LK240/Katan/Creek CAS3040

Good to see you here Jonathan. Your input and experience is most welcome.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Poetic licence?

malcolm