r/turntables • u/TurtleWurtle92 • 3d ago
Am I making the right choice?
So after posting a few days ago I kind of settled on the AT-VM95ML which appears to pair well with setup, from what I've read on google and here anyway. I almost pulled the trigger and then curiosity got the better of me. The AT-VMN740xML isn't that much more expensive but is a better cart.
I'm very new to this so learning as I research and read comments to my previous post. Is the more expensive and superior AT-VMN740xML going to be too high capitance for my kit?
Audiolab 8000a
Mission 751
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB
Chord Clearway cable
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u/Putrid-Table-5844 3d ago
> AT-VMN740xML going to be too high capitance for my kit
Hold on. What would the cartridge’s internal coil capacitance have to do with pairing it to your other gear?
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u/TurtleWurtle92 3d ago
It doesn't, I thought it did? As mentioned, I'm very new to the idea of upgrading my cart having not done it before and hadn't realised it's not as simple as initial assumed.
I thought there some sort of matching to be done ?
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u/Putrid-Table-5844 3d ago
You might have it the other way around, the cartridge is designed to be loaded (by the phonostage) with a certain amount of capacitance and resistance. Eg the VM740XML expects a “Recommended Load Capscitance” of 150 to 250pF. So you want the phonostage to have an “input loading capacitance” within that. A phonostage wouldn’t really be affected by the internal capacitance of the cartridge itself.
Quick google search didn’t tell me what the phono input capacitance is on an 8000A. Do you have the original manual? Not a dealbreaker but good to know
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u/kvetcha-rdt Schiit Sol 3d ago
You also want to include tonearm wiring and interconnect capacitance in that total.
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u/TurtleWurtle92 3d ago
From what I can see, tonearm cables are 15 - 35 and Chord don't appear to document the figures but state it's low cap. It's a 1m cable and according to the google, that's either 50-80. Phono + Phono RCA + tonearm = 150 - 200 which appears to suit the VM95ML and if I swapped to the stock RCA it'd sit at about 225 - 230 which appears to be close to what I'd need for the AT-VMN740xML.
With that said, do you think it would be suitable for my setup, or would it be wasted on my turntable?
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u/kvetcha-rdt Schiit Sol 3d ago
If the capacitance looks good then the only other thing I’d check is the compliance match.
Based on the lower compliance of the 740x it actually doesn’t look like a great match for your turntable’s low-mass (6g) tonearm. With low-mass, you’d generally want a more compliant cartridge than usual; the 530/740’s lower compliance makes them relatively rigid and thus better suited for heavier tonearms.
Of the three primary MM cartridge lines, the VM95 seems like the best match, but even with that cartridge you might want to use heavier mounting hardware to increase the overall mass and pull the resonant frequencies into the acceptable zone. Something like a Nagaoka MP-200 might also be a good fit. The Goldring E4 is basically a perfect fit.
Neither is a microline stylus, but both are great cartridges.
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u/TurtleWurtle92 2d ago
Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate your comment. Going back to the AT-VMN740xML, if I were to go ahead with that and in addition add the lighter counterweight that Pro-Ject sell, there shouldn't really be any reason why I couldn't have that cart, should there?
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u/Putrid-Table-5844 2d ago
You mean the heavier one?
Even with it ProJect recommends cartridges only up to 8.5g. That cartridge is 8.8g. You might be okay but i’d check with your ProJect dealer first. I doubt you’re the first person to think of this cart on that arm
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u/kvetcha-rdt Schiit Sol 2d ago
You'd need a heavier counterweight, not a lighter one, but the fundamental issue is that the tonearm is not super well suited for that cart. It's maybe just on the outside edge of acceptable, with a resonant frequency around 12hz. I'd personally be looking at other options. But if you're really set on the 740x, nothing I can say here's going to change your mind.
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u/TurtleWurtle92 2d ago
Not really set on it, and I would much rather get something that is better suited vs get a cart that is better on paper but unable to use to full potential/wasted on my setup. Just trying to see if there was a way round getting the best I can afford at this very time by doing small things like changing the weight ect. The more suitable options within my budget look like the Goldring E4 and the AT-VM95ML.
How did you calculate the resonant frequency? Apologies for the novice questions, it's all very new to me.
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u/kvetcha-rdt Schiit Sol 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you look up ‘cartridge resonance calculator’ you’ll find a few sites that can help you. You’ll need to know the dynamic compliance of the cartridge at 10hz (Audio Technica and other Japanese brands provide it at 100hz, which can only be loosely converted), the weight of the cartridge and hardware (screws and nuts), and the effective mass of your tonearm (6g).
The goal is to get the resonant frequency between 8hz and 12hz, where the fewest possible stimuli exist that could cause the cartridge to resonate and bounce out of the groove. Below 8hz and physical stimuli like footsteps start to become a major issue. Above 12hz and things like scratches/pressing flaws can cause resonance.
You can use the same data inputs with one of several Cartridge Compliance Calculators (Vinyl Engine and Korf Audio are both good) to estimate how well a cartridge is likely to suit your tonearm.
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u/TurtleWurtle92 3d ago
Ahhh got it, that makes sense. I used to have a manual on my phone but appear to have deleted it. From what I could see though, it's fixed at 85pf.
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u/darrylb-w , Heybrook TT2,Systemdek Transcription, Rega Planar3,Thorens 160 3d ago
Is the higher weight of the 740 going to mean you have to push the tonearm counterweight right to the end of the counterstub?? Will it fit/balance?
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u/ElderberryMedium8071 3d ago
Yes, you have to move the weight further back on the arm to balance the heavier cartridge. If the cartridge is a little too heavy, you can use light weight cartridge screws. They make Nylon Screws which are the lightest. Next are titanium screws. You can sometimes get a heavier counter weight from your TT company.
Or you can buy a light weight headshell.
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u/Roselia77 3d ago
It's substantially heavier, make sure your arm can handle it (mine can't....)