HiFi - Swapping a Turntable Cartridge & The Cambridge Alva Duo Phono Pre-Amp
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- A couple of Hi-Fi upgrades/side-grades - The Goldring E3 MM Turntable Cartridge & Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono Stage
Links (All links are affiliated - see note at bottom)
Goldring E3 MM Cartridge
UK: amzn.to/2HyHxIY
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono Pre-amp
UK: amzn.to/2JritFy
US: amzn.to/2JrizNq
DE: amzn.to/2UMR16o
Wooden Bull Leather & Cork Turntable Mat
UK: amzn.to/2UIceOZ
Turntable Cartridge Protractor
UK: amzn.to/2Ycg1Gh
US: amzn.to/2Ycgmc1
Stylus Scale
UK: amzn.to/2TQ4rlC
US: amzn.to/2ULvw6f
DE: amzn.to/2OhoTWK
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All links are Affiliated where possible.
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The best thing about that preamp is it has the labels for the sockets above and below.
Yes I noticed that too, and thought of it as a great idea. Good for us in Australia, as we are Upside down hehe.
I noticed that too, great idea!
Yeah, such a simple good idea, i'm surprised it isn't done more often.
I love this about Cambridge Audio gear, I've got an A5 Integrated amplifier circa 2005 and it seems they've been doing this for quite some time now. It's one of those really handy features that you never really think about until you introduce a new piece of kit and don't want to start moving loads of gear just to identify the correct input/output.
@@steviebboy69 good one :D greetings from Poland :)
This is an amazing simple 17 minutes video, thats why I love this channel.
I bet it wasn't 17 minutes of editing. Hah! Thanks Mat!! What LM_DCCXL said! :D
The part of this test that is missing is the MC cart with the new pre-amp to see if the noise is gone.
Always the most rational, reasonable, and pleasant of audio gear videos :)
Not enough talk about silver power cables! :D
Pleasant - definitely. But replacing a perfectly fine piece of gear because it has a wall wart, and DIP switches for a function that you use once and forget, isn't exactly what I would call rational.
@@mumiemonstret As he says in the video, he changes cartridges a lot. That being the case, it seems like a pretty rational annoyance to me.
09:35 I wanted a pre-amp that was easier to switch between MM & MC for the equipment I test to make videos about.
@@Techmoan Great video and review. I guess my only gripe would be that on your new phono pre you still have to switch inputs on the rear when you want to switch from MM to MC or back. Better than the dip switches but still a bother. As you mentioned you could have 2 turntables one for each, however, not ideal. Thanks again for the fantastic content..... and the odd puppet here and there.
"you can spend thousands on these things" - seems to apply to every aspect of audio - even cables if you buy the ones sprinkled with unicorn dust and kissed by the pope :) I still love watching your videos and listening to your intelligent and witty commentary. Thank you. Cheers.
You seem like a barrel of laughs. Rather than whinging about this channel not featuring what you want, go and find a channel that does. This one is for people with a bit of joy left in their soul.
@IngLouisSchreurs Really not the point of the channel though, is it? "Here, I bought these five things and they're perfect and I'll use them for the rest of my life" would make for kind of a short and not terribly interesting series of videos.
@IngLouisSchreurs Christ, you must be fun at parties. "Why are you bothering to restore that '68 Barracuda? Don't you know that for the money you're spending, you can just buy a 2019 Mercedes? What kind of a child could possibly appreciate something that isn't absolutely perfect in every way? Ow, my mouth!"
@@mgscheue Yes, I do prefer videos in the style of "here's some weird little and long forgotten format you've never heard about - let me show you how it works and sounds", too. It's much more fun, entertaining and educational that way.
@@Techmoan It looks like the person you replied to deleted their comment, so unfortunately it now looks like your own comment was in reply to someone else!
The best thing about time zones is that it makes uploads seem like they happen at crazy times!
yeah, it's 5:30 am where i'm at when he uploaded
living in australia it seems so odd (and a little bit annoying) that people go 'whoa uploading at 2am eh?' like it's 2am for everyone in the world just because it's that time for them.
Legit love this channel. Was coming down like a sledgehammer after DJing about 4 years ago and managed to find a video about an old tape player. And then I got hooked. He's brilliant.
Mat’s videos are just pure class, I totally agree!
"The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and the inconvenience."
Ain't that the truth
One of four things that draw me to analog is that digital technology was developped to be defective by design.
@@Rainer67059 Huh?
Old joke, but this is what it really looks like to the uninitiated. Now we on the other hand, we know better, don't we? It's for the weak stereo separation, smaller dynamics, wow and flutter, crackles and pops :-)
Yep imperfect is more fun
You should do a HiFi set-up video explaining every component you have and why.
Hasn't he already done that? More than once if I remember. Every component in his hifi has a video or is featured in a video about that component.
There is a brief run through at the end of czcams.com/video/1koy1H9beek/video.html I have a feeling that there was a more recent version though.
@@niafer9444 thank you
Every component there has a video...
Yeah I would love that too like trying different amps and comparing them.
Love the Mingus Ah um album - just bought a vinyl copy after listening to it on youtube music.
Fantastic album.
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is still a fantastic Mingus record and my personal favorite, check it out
I have just bought the same Cambridge preamp with a new ortofon 2m blue cartridge,and now have a much crisper sound.Thank you for your videos very imformative
I just want to take a moment and say thank you for your videos. In a age where everything moves so fast you make us remember the past (unintentional rhyme). Watchin your videos is therapeutic and calms me down, relaxes me and fades with my anxiety. Thank you. Keep up the work. Also love the format though...
Hi, Juspion!
Dear TM
I must say that I really enjoyed this video and especially because you took a common sense approach to dealing with the upgrade of your hi-fi system. You see, there are other CZcamsrs that are convinced that you have to spend thousands of GB Pounds or US Dollars to get an acceptable sound or achieve the status of audiophile.
However, you have shown that you do not have to mortgage your house or raid your life savings to get a satisfactory/good and enjoyable sound from your system and, when all is said and done, that's all that really matters.
Until your next video
Bob
Still midway into the video, had to pause just to say that I've never been a turntable guy (I've never been a sound guy altogether either) so I never imagined what was involved into doing all of that. Amazing!
Thx a lot for another very nice video , I have been using Gold Ring E3 for 3 months and I think that for a piece below £ 80 it is a great product worth recommending. I hope that thanks to you, many people looking for a new cartridge will find a lot of satisfaction with having E3. Cheers. AG .
Been a LONG time since I've listened to a proper hi-fi... Good stuff as always :)
how did you comment three days ago
@@RandyClassicCarsFan The video was probably available for patreon patrons 3 days ago.
@@RandyClassicCarsFan i was thinking the same thing
*There’s a bit more information about this in the video description text box.*
I wonder how the old MC cartridge sounds on the new phono preamp.
I will probably never own a turntable but I still thoroughly enjoyed this video (as I do all Techmoan videos)
what makes these videos watchable is they're reasonable, not unneccary hyping or stuff like that. one day I must get my turntable installed properly again, and when I do that I have all these videos to draw on for tips! good stuff!
Nicely done! For me, however, much like you hearing the noise that started this swap, not being able to see the entire face of the new pre-amp would drive me nuts. But, it's your set up and not mine so well done!
Yeah that annoyed me too :D
Maybe you can remove or cut away the lip under the top shelf??
I like the minimalist of Cambridge Phono Pre-Amp front panel, three leds and two buttons :)
Don't forget the Volume control!
The only way to set a tone arm up is using the vinyl test record HFS75 or similar.
This allows you to determine the absolute optimum tracking and anti skating forces as well as checking other issues such as phasing (to check speaker wirings are set up identically and not 'out of phase'), channel balance and separation. Copies are still available.
I recently got a Denon dp-47f like yours, in part because of your review video, and I'm soon going to be making a video on it, too. I too upgraded the DL-80 cartridge on mine--in my case, I went with the Audio-Technica AT-440mlb, with a Micro-Line stylus, because I wanted to eliminate inner groove distortion and sibilance, which is my biggest pet peeves on records. I HIGHLY recommend trying the AT-440 if you haven't tried it already!
I don't even own a component stereo of any kind, much less the gear mentioned or shown here - and I still can't stop binge-watching these.
My late father had a portable gramophone that had a little drawer in the side containing a box of spare needles!
I fiddled about with one like that as a kid, when on a vacation trip with my aunt and her husband. Played a lot of 78s from the 30's and 40's :D
Denon made some great direct drive turntables. Before setting tracking force, you would normally set the vertical tracking angle ( VTA ). There isn't any easy adjustment for tonearm height on this turntable, but the lift can be adjusted by turning VR3 ( one of the screws on the right side of the turntable base with platter removed )
Great summary! I haven't gotten back into the turntable, but I did recently buy a used Nakamichi tape deck, in part because of this channel. Keep up the great work!!!
I think the Nachamichi tape decks cannot be outdone..
I have been in the audio industry for 35 years and I think you were very wise changing to a MM cartridge. Though ultimately a MC will provide better fidelity, the gains (pun intended) from significantly lowering your S/N ratio pay most dividends - Also high output MCs have always been a disappointment (except for maybe Ultimo / Dynavector).
I certainly didn't expect to hear this, I guess I'll stick to my current turntable and 100 dollar cartridge and preamp that's built into my receiver and save 2.5 K
It is always a good morning when there is a new Techmoan video to watch while having breakfast!
Thanks Mat. I bought the same cartridge after seeing this video and I'm really happy I did.
Brilliant vid, thank you Techmoan! Had to sift through much detritus to get this useful info.
I've got the Cambridge Solo and it is a great little preamp. The MM stage is the exact same as in the duo it just lacks a MC stage and headphone amp and I don't need either of those. I use it it with a Technics SL-5100 with Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge and it has been great. The internal power supply is very well isolated and separated from the audio circuitry so there isn't any unwanted noise from electrical interference.
Edit: Just a side note about alignment. It works when you align from the top but the best results come from aligning based on the position of the cantilever as it isn't always perfectly aligned with the body of the cartridge.
All these little adjustments to get the best sound is nothing but awesome!
Classic simple straightforward video. Nice when we don't have to have click bait. Sounds nice and I'm happy you can enjoy your music.
Good taste in music! That masta ace album is a real gem.
Congrads on tracking down and eliminating that rogue sound!
Good old Richer Sounds! I used to work at one of their stores many, many years ago, and I can tell you that I had a pretty interesting system myself, as I would wait patiently for the vintage equipment to come in as part-exchange, and I'd snap it up! This was in the mid 80's and the equipment was late 60's and 70's vintage. I never did get a record deck I was truly happy with, but your Denon looks amazing. Great video - thanks.
Does that mean you wouldn't advise buying any of the new stuff Richer Sounds sells or is it just you prefer "vintage"?
@@andrewhaines8603 I would totally recommend it. At that time I was fascinated with the older equipment, especially the stylish designs. However, if I was building a new system today, Richer Sounds would be my first choice.
Solving problems is nice.
Spend two weeks trying to chase down the cause of an odd electrical humm on my RP-1. Ended up costing me a hundred and fifted euro for a new preamp.
I just printed out an alignment protractor when I installed my last cartridge.
In 1980 before the world wide web even existed. I bought a mirror protractor Called Cart-a-Lign. Still use it in 2019❤❤😊
Mat's used paper alignment protractors before. But, as with the new preamp, he tests enough different models of record player that it makes sense for him to invest in a proper mirror protractor.
I downloaded all of protractors from vinyl engine and printed 2 of each on card stock. I am set for life haha.
Every video you do is worth watching even all the credits just in the hope of some puppets too. My favourite channel on CZcams. Keep up the great work!
This is actually the reason most high end MC turntables are belt driven. The amount of gain thats applied to their signal means that you will almost always hear motor noise with a direct drive setup. You simply cannot insulate the platter from the motor enough. My own personal preference is belt drive, MM cartrage, best quality stylus i can afford (currently using an at95e cart with an LPGear at95MR micro-ridge stylus now, and personally im absolutely blown away)
Just taken delivery of an 'open box' Alva Duo, looks mint, all for 143 UK pounds. Can't wait to connect it up tonight.
Wow! Connected it up and it sounds fantastic. Big dynamic, well balanced sound, excellent soundstage, and very well defined bass.
Way better than the Ifi Zen Phono it's replacing.
LRF support is always an important thing for any electronic device.
we just used to sticky tape a 2c piece to the top of the head, lol..
no wonder all my old records from 40 years ago dont sound so goo.. :)
Thanks TM! I bought one of these cartridges off the back of your video and it's perfect for me. Nice sound for what I wanted. Top channel, as always.
I just purchased that exact Pre amp last week. I mainly listen to vinyl on headphones and I find the sound amazing through the built in headphone amp. Thanks for another great video
I'm going to be swapping the cartridge on my vintage Onkyo 1030F from an AT-15S to an AT100E (my first time doing this), and I also have a Cambridge Alva Duo on the way. This video was a nice surprise when it popped up in search.
Educative and entertaining as usual. Cheers Tech.
Pro-Ject sells preamps with one single button to switch from MM to MC and vice versa. No cables need to be switched whatsoever. The video was nice and helpful.
Having never had a higher end turntable when I had such a thing, I found all the adjustments quite interesting.
I just upgraded my cartridge and phono stage over the weekend. Nice to see people still do that, other than me. :)
Way easier than swapping laser diodes. You're absolutely right on not being able to ignore it.
Excellent research, I enjoy your trial by fire methods!
Big thumbs up for the Masta Ace and Marco Polo album, it's one of my favorite from him besides Ma DOOM. I only wish the deluxe version was available on physical media, the 4 bonus tracks are some of my favorites on the album especially E.A.T. and Masta Polo.
Never boring for us Hi-Fi nerds Mat. Yet another fantastic video!
I've been using a Goldring cartridge for about a year and I love it. It's a great company. Take care...
Really useful - I was looking for something as simple as this about a year ago and really struggled. Thanks.
Very cool. This child of the Digital Age actually learned something. I didn't know the difference between MM and MC cartridges.
Hello techman not moan,bough a Cambridge system for my Computer about a billion years ago,it is still working very well and the sound is still excellent.Appreciate your Videos thank you
Thank you, loved this video! Perfect timing I am planning to switch my cartridge as well!
Great review for the audio layman.
Gonna get that Cambridge preamp, soon. Wish I had you here to adjust my technics tonearm. I had it serviced but I can't get the float balance, that you demonstrated so well.
Nice little upgrades
Rolled up sleeves. You Don Johnson you. ! Oh and nice old fashioned technical stuff 😉
Loved the video. Thank you so much Matt!
As always, another great video from you. I'm a fan of your channel. Interestingly, just a few days ago I had selected and bought just the same cartridge to replace the original Glanz GMC-10EH high output MC cartridge on a particularly good vintage turntable, a Gradiente (Garrard) RP-2 (bought new in 1990), with good results as well. With a little help of your video, too (thanks). Main system turntable is a very good Pioneer PL-L1000A linear tracking with JVC MC-1 and Audio Technica AT-F7 low output MC cartridges and a Roksan Corus Black MM cartridge, all of them VERY good phono cartridges. Looking forward for your next videos. Greetings from Brazil.
Great review and instruction... I have several turntables and one is set up with an MC cart, look forward to getting that Alva Duo and going back and fourth between set ups. Cheers!
Love you videos. Don't know how my parents turn table worked, but I seem to remember that the needle rested on some kind of rubber piece with a groove in it. I remember removing the needle when I was a kid and rubbing my finger on the rubber piece and sound coming out of the stereo. Made my Dad mad. Also, I have always found it interesting how humongous cord plugs are in the UK compared to the US. Always wondered why the UK went with such large plugs and outlets when smaller ones will do the job and save space.
joeschmo322
UK plugs are safer, and easier to wire yourself
Beautiful turntable!! And thanks for putting up a new video!!! 😀
Great stuff. Love your common-sense approach.
You have an amazing collection of electronics. I always enjoy your videos.
Had a terrible buzz/hum after replacing the stylus on my Marantz direct drive tt. Checked all connections were snug. Tried a separate power outlet to the reciever. Finally removed the headshell and sprayed some contact cleaner in the headshell connection and reattached. Problem solved. Sounds like new.
I'm not normally an envious person, but man every time you feature your whole hi-fi setup.....
I'm slowly building up a halfway decent setup, but with the exception of the 2 turntables (a full-auto multi disk unit that is cheap and runs a bit fast, and a manual one that is good) everything is is just my father's old stuff lol. But all the components I'm most jealous of (visual equalizers, tube pre-amp, and reel to reel player) are things he never owned, and are out of my price range. Though I do have a legit tube powered oscilloscope hooked up to one of the unused tape monitor outputs for a nice effect, but it's still not quite the same.
For wanting us to set our expectations low I sure learned a lot from this video! Thanks!
Good job as always.. Love your attention to detail!
I love the look of your hifi system!
Great episode. Been looking at turntables lately. This is great stuff to know about then.
Great video. Just about to swap a little dotmkiii amp for a Cambridge duo. Your video helped my decision making process! Thanks
Its 11:15pm and I was going to go to bed but I guess not.
Thanks for the vid i just bought a new cartridge and needed to know how to do this
We've come a long way from reviewing Chinese knock-off action cameras. What a wonderful journey it's been. ^_^
The Goldring E-series carts are based on the Audio Technica AT3600.
Great improvements. Thx for the video Mat.
I really appreciate your videos. So much knowledge. I love to view it and at the same time learning a lot. Thank you. Really.
I still use my trusty never fail cart-a-lign protractor with built-in mirror. Purchased in 1980👍😊❤
You're right this was a boring subject but not when you make the video
LOVE your videos! You post way to few though haha! You should do some weekly thing where you maybe talking about new music you listen to or stuff like that. Or just talk about gear in general. We ALL want more Techmoan!
This is a great idea!!! Second that.
The computer speakers I've been using for nearly 20 years are branded "Cambridge Soundworks."
Of course, Cambridge Soundworks is based in Massachusetts and is a subsidiary of Creative Technology; obviously a different company to Cambridge Audio, based in London, England.
Why do you need 2 sets of phono inputs for MM & MC AND a selector switch on the front?? I would have thought one or the other would be sufficient?
"Better Git it in Your Soul," probably my favorite Mingus.
Nice one ....great demonstration
I’m glad he talked about how once you hear something or noticed something it never goes away for you. If there’s a rattle or a noise or a squeak or whatever I go at it 110% but if I know what it is it doesn’t bother me as much as if I don’t know what it is LOL I think some of you here might be the same way for instance there’s a rattle in my jeep whenever I go over certain potholes I know it’s the roll cage rubbing up against the speaker bar and I know I can fix it so I kind of tuned it out but if I couldn’t figure out what it was it would bug the shit out of me and I wouldn’t go to sleep until I fixed it LOL
Saw notification on phone. Got outa bed to watch this lol.
what no bedside monitor?
Clever pooch
You are one classy individual!
Do not remind me of the dead pixel on my display AND the squeak in my car! I have already almost forgotten! Sh!t (jk)
Eye floaters..
There! Now you can't stop seeing them. Takes your mind off dead pixels.
Damn you, I'll be seeing them all day now ;)
Thanks for recommending a cartridge alignment protractor- I got an Ortofon one, and I discovered I needed to increase the overhang on my turntable cartridge a bit! I had to move it forward by a mm or so...
Great show
Great video as always. The cartridge choice was a good one in terms of performance & price I think myself in your position would have gone for the Cambridge Solo simply because I would have no need for the MC input or the headphone output. 👍
Yes because of it specifically having the coil feature. Kinda confusing unless just comparing the mm.
@@robertwoodward9231 Your wants, needs, desires, and likes differ from mine - so what?
@@coastmansingha9980 what do you mean by so what. It wasn't derogatory, I just said I was getting a preamp.Nothing against the larger one, and of course everyone is different.
@@robertwoodward9231 So why bother commenting at all?
@@coastmansingha9980 Because I was watching a review on it
I have a Rega fono mini MM preamp, the version prior to them adding stupid things like USB to it. Just a small, black box with in- and outputs, not even a power switch. Perfect.
Considering your love of all the extra doodads, blinking lights and VU meters on your other kit, I was pleasantly surprised at your choice of Cambridge Audio.
Great presentation 😊👍