Phono Cartridge Reviews

>>With these "fixed" position cartridges, is it pretty universal that the stylus will land on the right spot (proper overhang) for every 'collet type' arm?<<

In principle it is, although the alignment isn't always perfect. because the position of the stylus relative to the collet connection can sometimes be off a little bit. So it makes sense to check the alignment as you would with any cartridge. Not a problem in this case, however.

Jim

Well at least I came clean in the review; that counts for something, right? Also, for what it's worth, I did buy it.

Jim

Stereophile has a policy of reviewing all the components we receive--and, conversely, of not taking in equipment that we do not intend to review. So, having requested a sample for review, I was therefore reluctant to return the Xpression unreviewed--and as I wrote in the review, I simply didn't know what to write. I did not feel that the reviewer I was then could do it justice in the context of the system I had then, in particular my analog front end, which was loads of fun but not the least bit analytical.

I like to think there's virtue in transparency--in acknowledging struggles and learning experiences. Such transparency opens one up to criticism. But by telling this whole, true story I was, I feel, able to give readers more insight into product than if I'd suppressed the story and merely rendered a final verdict--and about me, since readers should know who they're trusting (or not trusting). If my goal had been to protect my reputation and demonstrate my golden ear and audiophile mastery, I would have written the review quite differently.

A few more points:
* Instead of putting it on the shelf and using my own cartridges, I could have kept using the Xpression and worn it out. Such things have been been known to happen in this world (although not, to the best of my knowledge, at Stereophile).
* If the importer had, at any time, asked for it back, I would of course have sent it back immediately.
* After the review was submitted, I bought the cartridge.

I'm not especially proud of keeping the Xpression as long as I did--I think that's clear from the review--but by being honest and transparent in describing the whole experience, warts (mine) and all, I think I was able to make it work to the benefit of Stereophile's readers.

Thanks for the note.

Jim

After reading your righteous post, I can safely say that it is no wonder so many reviewers question the objectivity of their readers. This post is not directed towards Jim but to the gentleman poster who seemed a tad apoplectic of Jim keeping the Ortofon so long.

davip,

I've heard all those 'tables and like 'em all. My good friend Bryan has a Gyrodec, and I've spent many blissful evenings over the years listening to it with a range of cartridges. Still, there's something about my old-school unsuspended 'table that keeps me coming back. ...

... which reminds me that there's something left unsaid in these comments, and only implied in the review. I paid something like $1100 for my 'table maybe 10 years ago, including an Ortofon RMG-212 tonearm, state of the art back in the day. I've probably spent a bit more than that fixing it up--but we're still not talking about an expensive rig. That's a big reason why I found the Xpression so odd and idiosyncratic: It's an expensive cartridge designed for vintage 'tables. Except maybe for the odd ultra-refurbished 301, or one of a small number of new-but-old-school 'tables making their way onto the scene, it's very likely that such a cartridge will be used with a table/tonearm combo that costs much less than the cartridge does. I think one can reasonably conclude from my review that, while the Xpression is excellent, to get full benefit from such an expensive cart, it's a good idea to make sure your (likely vintage) system is in good condition and well set-up.

One more thing: Thanks for the tip about the Hadcock. I'm in the market for an arm to put on the in-board arm board of my TD-124 for use with a wider range of (non-collet) cartridges. I'll research the Hadcock.

Be well,
Jim

>>Every time I see your byline, I’ll be asking myself if your favorable opinion is, at least in part, created by the generous terms manufacturers offer you. <<

It has long seemed to me that there's a deep inconsistency in such claims: unless we're doing something outrageously improper like selling it for a profit, why should we risk our integrity and reputation for something we don't much like? You don't give someone a rusted-out Pinto as a bribe to favorably review rusted-out Pintos. After all, if we do like it, no bribe is necessary: we're just being honest.

Plus--new point--a brand-new Porsche isn't much of a bribe if you don't sell it and you just leave it parked in the garage. Call me an idiot for not taking advantage, but don't call me dishonest.

No, my opinion is not created by the generous terms manufacturers offer me. So there you go. You are of course free to disbelieve me and to skip my future reviews.

>>Had I been in your place, I would have suggested to Ortofon that they take the unused cartridge back and have someone else review it. That would have been consistent with your view then that your system didn’t do it justice.<<

It would not, however, have been consistent with Stereophile's editorial policy.

I've made my position clear, so I won't be continuing this conversation.

Respectfully,

Jim

Zachteich wrote:

Frankly, the person who should be commenting is John Atkinson. If he cleared your decision to hold this cartridge for six years until you believed your system and your ears were worthy, he is the one who should take the blame.

Okay, mea culpa. And now Jim's review has been published, that, surely, should be the end of the matter.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

It's an honest review/article on every level.

Interesting, thanks. FWIW, even back then I was pretty meticulous about cartridge setup--less so, maybe in, e.g., isolation. One of these days I'll try it again, moving on up the line.

Thank you!

>>Hope you finally got that A/C installed.<<

Indeed I did--and it turned out to be a major pain! Turns out there's a boiler fan that vents just outside my listening room window, and with the ac installed there's essentially NO isolation. The fan is on nearly all the time in winter, so this was a serious problem for reviewing. Eventually I pulled that big, heavy AC unit out of the window. (It's a rental, so my options are limited.) This summer I bought a portable unit. Doesn't cool as well--less efficient--but much easier to put in and take out. Plus, management has promised to deal with the noise issue before the next heating season. Time will tell. ...

Oh, no, you're right. I must not have been clear. I was just pointing out that living in NYC has some advantages, too.