Hergest Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Hi Batty, if the loan offer is still on, I wouldnt mind comparing it on my Planar 3/RB300 against my Denon DL160....any opinions on which might be better? I once owned a DL160 and didn't like it as i found it really brittle on the top end, something i've found with the couple of other HOMC cartridges i've tried. It was mounted on a Planer 2. The Goldring 1042 i had some years later on the same table and arm was really good with no bad traits that i can recall at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meowgly Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I really like the 1042. I would describe it as an 'all rounder', which works well with most phono stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at68 Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 So the Goldring arrived safely yesterday, and I mounted it on my RB300. The clearance for the bolts is only small, as the cartridge rakes outwards. My bolts were too long, so I had to mount them upside down with the nuts on the top of the tonearm. No particular bother, but I think it would be a litte fiddly to get the nuts underneath. Thereafter I plugged the wires in (a nice tight fit), aligned it to the Stevenson protractor and away we went. First up there are no hum issues or clearance problems with the Rega arm. In fact it rides a little higher than other carts like the 2m blue, Garrott, and Grado. I have two shims under the arm, so clearance was about 3-4mm from the record surface. Seems to mate very well with the Rega as others have noted. I have only played 4 albums on it, so here are my early thoughts (in my own speak!): 1. Quite a 'balanced' sound. No alarming frequency anomolies. Neutral sound with a slight tilt toward 'warm' (ie shelved up bass, shelved down trebble) than 'analytical' (shelved up mid and trebble) - my definitions! Certainly more neutral than anything else. 2. Quite dynamic. Handles sudden changes in scale and loudness easily 3. Good soundstage. Wide rather than deep. 4. Instruments sound 'real' and 'live' but not 'alive'. Eg. trumpet sounds like a brass instrument without the shrill sound. 5. Musical. It is an engaging sound, fatigue free, an easy listen. 6. Lacks a hint of air and sparkle. Cymbals shimmer is less than other carts. Maybe as it sits on the warm side of neutral. 7. Lacks a bit of midrange breath. Singers dont float, although they do seem firmly centre stage. 7. No sibilance or inner grove distortion. Again, an easy listen. So far, so good. I think the Gyger stylus adds a lot to the quality of this cart which has impressed me so far. I will listen some more, and give my comparisons to some other carts over the weekend. Thanks again Batty for your kind offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 Glad you like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at68 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 So a few more hours on the clock, and a couple more albums completed. I have now listened to a wide range of music including jazz, orchestral, chamber, and pop. Yesterday, I remounted some of my cartridges. Here are my comparisons: 1. Goldring 1042 - my initial opinions above are confirmed. It is a 'balanced' cartridge with plenty of weight in the bass, and slightly softened trebble. Overall quite smooth and fatigue free. A good allrounder so to speak. 8 out of 10. 2. Grado Platinum 1 - this is in a similar price bracket but far different. It excels in the midrange but is lacking in bass, and has a tilted trebble. This can manifest itself in higher levels of sibilance if you are sensitive to that. The midrange is engaging and slightly more resolving than the Goldring. Better soundstage depth. Refined and fatigue free. 7.5. 3. Ortofon 2m Blue - This is about half the price of the regular Goldring, although you can now obtain the Goldring for a far cheaper price because of the exchange rate. I dont like the 2m blue. It has been described as a modern cartridge and this is true if your definition of modern is 'everything louder than everything else'. The frequency spectrum is quite full, and this causes fatigue over time. The trebble sounds bright, and the bass is prone to boom. For me, no more than 5, and it only gets that because it is reasonably priced. 4. Garrott Brothers P77 with the K2 stylus - This is closest to the Goldring in sound. Quite an even balance, but less roundness to instruments. I think the main difference between the two is due to the gyger stylus on the Goldring is a better transducer than the K2 eliptical diamond. I would like to get a new 77 stylus, but they havent made these for some years - I think it was also a gyger. So distant memories of the p77 stylus would give it an 8, but with the K2 I think 7.8. So the Goldring has won the shootout by a small margin. I have been impressed by its balanced sound, musicality and smoothness which is great for extended listening periods. It seems a perfect match for the Rega tonearm, and has melded well with my Heybrook TT2, and Musical Fidelity V3 phono stage. It would be a great choice for anyone wanting to reduce the glare or brightness in their system, and for those who spend many hours in their listening sessions. Thanks again Batty for the great offer. For the next reviewer, please pm me your address and I will send by registered post this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at68 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Update - I just sent it 'registered post' to SETfan. Looking forward to the next review of this wonderful cart. regards to all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 BATTY thank you so much for the offer, but can you please take me off the list . I don't think the cheap TT's that I use would be worth trying your cart on and I do have a new cart (Shure M97xE) that I'm trying to work in at the moment and compare to my others.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 OK Grumpy if you wish, but there is nothing stopping you from fitting just for a listen. I'll keep you at thy bottom of the list incase you change your mind no pressure mate. Anyone else want to add their name to the list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 No one? I thought there would be more interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 Friday bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SETfan Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 OK, have had my 'turn' with the Goldring. I had the same issue as at68 with the bolts from my RB300 being too long...So, I cut down another pair I had for another cartridge. My initial impressions were very positive, quite a musical, full sounding cart, definitely got the toe tapping and with a smooth midrange that was easy on the ear. I felt it to be a better match for my Audio Research SP6B preamp, which I have been told is not ideal with my Denon DL160 and the combo can tend towards too lean a sound, with a hint of brightness at louder levels (might be strain/clipping?). When I hooked the DL160 back in, I did notice a slightly more detailed sound, the Denon seemed to have a small treble emphasis over the Goldring. I could live with either cartridge, but I think its important to get the synergy right with not only the arm, but the preamp/phono as well. Thanks a lot to Batty for the generous loan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Jake, could you send SETfan a PM with your address so he can post the cart on to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 As Jake's TT is indisposed at the moment, is there anyone else who would like a loan of this cart before I get it sent home to me? Grumpy????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypr1961 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Hi If the offer is still available I'd like to take you up on it Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Sure is, added you to the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Guys, this has gone a bit quiet, could someone let me know where the cart has got to, last I heard it was with Nathan, but he didn't have time to fit for now. An update please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4heckssake Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 G'day Batty, reckon Nathan will update you soon. the cart was with him a week or so ago when I last spoke to him. stay tuned. Rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks Rod, I heard from Nathan a week ago (ish) and was trying to arrange moving to gypr1961, that was it. So don't know if it has moved. Plus I may end up selling I've had some interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypr1961 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hi batty Can you confirm you got my email re the cartridge Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Got your PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockandorRoll Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Sorry guys, will send this off to gypr tomorrow. Work has been a bit hectic lately so i havent had time to get to the post. sorry again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 No worries Nathan, thanks for letting me know. Gypr, can you let me know when you get it. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kensell21 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 If it's still available I'd like a try.. I should have my Garrard up and running shortly and the arm has a removable headshell.. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 I have put your name on the list kensell21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 That looks like a Google translation to me, nice of you to be concerned for me. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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