Cartridge to comply with the lovely sounding NA322/4 MM I have

This sounds normal.  A few MM carts are higher in output than your Grado, and some lower - 4mV is around the average.  However, we tend to be used to digital sources which have a much higher output than regular line level (2V+ vs. 300-800mV).

As per Richard, this sounds normal.

What is the record deck sitting on?

Christopher_M posted:

As per Richard, this sounds normal.

What is the record deck sitting on

Hi Christopher.. the record deck is sat on a BLOK stand.. Extremely good quality ' very dense and very heavy.. I was thinking of trying an Ortofon Bronze Cart as it has a slightly higher voltage. But the trade off is that my Jazz recordings tend to sound a little sharp and uninvolving with that brand.. I have always prefered the Grado as drums and percussion are its strong point..

It is'nt that it sounds any worse for lower volume with the grado cart ' In fact one of the strong points in my view with the Nac82 is that it sounds great at lower volumes and presents a lovely organic and believable soundstage..

It is strange or maybe not that different vinyl recordings vary so much in volume levels.. One example being  a modern Sony Music rca.com recording " Kings of Leon..  That is super low in volume , '  and contrasting a polygram recording of Van Morrison " poetic champions compose "  that is a 1987 pressing and a very lovely recording that plays at a percieved correct volume ' at least to my old ears .. It may be that I have a couple of modern bad pressings  ?? There could be other factors involved ??

Another question I have asked myself , is it worth trading up to a good moving coil as I have never had one in my Alphason Opal arm. Would the arm be compliant ?  I have been offered the moving coil nac82 boards at a good price and I like the synergy that Naim Boards would provide ,' as with the MM boards it is a very involving listen with some of my recordings..

Could you advise of any carts that you feel may be a good compomise of volume and not sounding too sharp..

All the best Garath

 

Hi Garath,

I think you have a nice match with the Grado but I can tell you are troubled by what you perceive as a lack of output. So I am sorry I can't help on that.

I know you are an electrical guy. I tend to think more about the mechanical and you have already seen the benefits of pulling the damping out of the AR deck. I would get your suspended sub-chassis deck on a stiff light structure. Ikea Lack at about six quid would do you.

C.

Yes I think that perception  may be the issue Garath.. I have only had the cartridge in for a few hour and it seems to be getting better as the cartridge beds in..I also recently purchased some 300mm thick Granite Plinths for the Neat Motive speakers..Wow what an upgrade Bass frequencies on Analog and digital completely effortless and the Nac82 is showing what it can do " Just an incredible pre amp " .. Think the next chess move is a Granite Plinth for the very capable AR turntable..That could be the game changer ???

Isn't Music fun and thanks for your input.. It seems it is down to me to tweak here and there..

All the best Garath

Cartridges can take some hours to properly come on song as suspension beds in, stylus polishes etc..  

Thanks Richard.

The cart has come on song within the last couple of days after around 10-15 hours use ' very open with an older ELO album that I am listening to currently.

Sounded very thin to start with and now sounds as it should and has also increased perceived volume with the bedding in process. The amps potential is now showing as well.. Since putting the Motive 3's on Granite Plinths even streamed music is very organic. "Huge soundstage etc.. Very natural compared to the nac 112x and nap 150x ". The Nac 82 is a fab amp ...It is a keeper very happy with the sound..

I have the mc na323 S Boards as they came with the amp along with the line boards and the mm 322/4 boards.. Just need to save for a good low output MC Cart. Just trying to find some info on the Alphason Opal Arm ,' to see if it will be as compliant with an MC cartridge.. Not much info on the net that I can find , only that it has Linn spec , overhang etc.. great sounding arm similar to a Linn  Ittok LVII I had years ago. Real sense of the recording venue ' acoustics etc..

Good to hear Garath.  If all is working well and sounding good then sit back for a bit and enjoy for now.

The Alphason Opal was a very decent entry-level arm in its day - certainly a good alternative to the Linn LV-X or Mission 774LC, although it wasn't up to the standard of the Rega RB arms, sounding a bit soft low down by comparison.  IIRC it was medium mass so could take a Moving Coil cartridge at a pinch.  However, I wouldn't bother - I'd stick with a MM or then move on to a better deck and better arm if looking to go further in future.  

FWIW Alphason had an excellent reputation for the quality of their bearings - even in the Opal - and the HR100S and Xenon (basically a slightly simplified HR100S with a lesser finish but almost identical performance) are superb arms well worth seeking out as alternatives to the usual Ittok/Ekos/Aro choices.

Cheers for the information Richard all the best