Phono Cartridge Reviews

Luxman LMC-5 moving coil phono cartridge Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi R turntable with Kuzma 4Point tonearm. Thorens TD 124 Mk.II turntable with Jelco TS-350S Mkll tonearm and Ortofon SPU Classic G Mk/II cartridge.
Preamplifiers: Sculpture A Mini Nano SUT, Tavish Audio Design Adagio phono stage, Sugden LA-4 preamplifier.
Power amplifier: Pass Labs XA-25.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96.
Cables: Analysis Plus Silver Apex & Triode Wire Labs Spirit II interconnects; Analysis Plus Silver Apex speaker cables.
Accessories: Feickert Next Generation Universal Protractor, Riverstone Audio electronic scale.—Ken Micallef

COMPANY INFO
Luxman America Inc.
27 Kent St., Unit 105A
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 261-6464
luxmanamerica.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
hemingway's picture
Submitted by hemingway on August 10, 2022 - 11:29am

I wish that stereophile would measure cartridges, similar to HiFiNews. Along with these measurements, any comments about how to best interpret would be appreciated as well.

volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on August 11, 2022 - 8:47am

I wish cartridge manufacturers would be upfront about the lifespan of their styluses and mention it in their specs. Some charge stratospheric prices, but aside from Van den Hul who guarantees his cartridges to 3000 hours, for his VDH type 1 or VDH type 2, I know of no other manufacturer who publishes this information. The best we get when push comes to shove is that by 1000 hours the cartridge should be checked. Others like JICO state 500 hours the stylus is done. Surely Linn's latest Ekstatik cartridge at $7,150 can't only be good for 1000 hours. Can it?

Jonti's picture
Submitted by Jonti on August 11, 2022 - 4:10am

LMC-5 cartridges are assembled by a five-person team employed by an unspecified but well-known Japanese cartridge manufacturer.

Could well be Audio-Technica, given that Luxman's 320C high-output MC cartridge was a rebadged AT3100XE...

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