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  1. M

    Brinkmann Balance vs. J. Sikora Reference- Battle of the $50K Belt Drives

    A lot of the design from J. Sikora is based the combination of different metals with different properties for resonans damping, and Quite a few metals are involved. They seem to consider the combination of aluminium, steel, brass etc as their best sounding turntables. Expensive to manufacture...
  2. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Cheap compared to a 1.675 euro rebuild..! I use this type of ‘’stylus guard’’
  3. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    My Italian is extremely rusty, as in non existing, but google translate helped me out. Thanks again for your advise, I much appreciate this and will try different aligments of the cartridge at some point when it’s broken in… Regarding the price I consider myself very, very lucky. I bought it...
  4. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Just to support what’s being said about the JSD - Platinum being very sensitive to VTA, load etc… As mentioned above I started out with the cartridge seeing a load of around 295 ohm. Yesterday I decided to make a small change to get the load more in the middle of EMT’s recommended load on 200...
  5. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Thank you for advise on different transformers. For now I have decided on the Lundahl LL-1931 transformers coupled in a 1:4 ratio. I will start by following your advise Massimo66 and put some hours on it to break in the cartridge and transformer, and then time will tell… For my Thöress - Phono...
  6. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Thanks again, not to crazy priced. I might try one of those at some point..!
  7. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Thanks again, I have learned something new today! They do not mention the transformer ratio, but one must assume it’s around 1:5..? Do you have any idea on the price level for these?
  8. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    @DasguteOhr, thank you for sharing the STX 20 / 21, I have never seen that before. As you say the 1.05mV is a bit problematic to combine with transformers. I also noticed, that EMT under Micha Huber now offer more ‘’normal’’ versions of the cartridges. Were I to order a new EMT cartridge, I...
  9. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    By my calculation the cartride is loaded at 296 ohm. When I have some more hours on the cartridge and SUT I will experiment with the loads. According to an experienced transformer designer I’m lucky to know, the parallel connection of the secondaries is a benefit, and the 1:4 ratio is perfect...
  10. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    I would think then, that the difference you heard was due to the change in load the cartridge ‘’see’’ when switching from 1:5 and 1:10. It also makes sense, that when not using load resistors, that you preferred 1:10, as this is closer to the 200 - 300 ohm load recommended by EMT. Here the...
  11. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    Thanks for the info on your experience. Did you change the load also when going from 1:5 or 1:10? Often the difference in sound is because the load the cartridge sees changes. In this case where I connect the two secondary windings in parallel this cuts the impedance of the seconday in half...
  12. M

    EMT - JSD series Carts

    I just bought a JSD - Platinum freshly rebuild at EMT after the young son of the first owner broke the cantilever. The seller learned, that he needs a cartridge with a stylus guard… My phonostage is the Thöress - Phono Enhancer, and the 1mV output from the JSD - Platinum is on the loud side for...
  13. M

    My personal journey to MY SONIC LAB

    I fully agree and I find Shaktis comparative reviews amongst the best sources for info on cartridges anywhere online. I learn more from these comparisons, than from individual reviews. And BTW, he does not sell My Sonic Lab, so in this case his review is actually competing with products he does...
  14. M

    I've been reading lots in the magazines about the J. Sikora tables - any actual owners here who care to share their thoughts?

    Thanks again, I much appreciate your inputs on SQ as this has been a bit of an unknown to me. Using different metals as resonance control is sort of a Sikora trademark, as you also know from the Reference where several different metals are used. From what I understand the best sounding Standard...
  15. M

    I've been reading lots in the magazines about the J. Sikora tables - any actual owners here who care to share their thoughts?

    Interesting and thank you for your post. You’re the first owner I have heard from who has experience with both the Standard MAX and the Reference. With the difference in price the Reference should be better on sound quality..! On the other hand I have hear dealers mention, that they are very...
  16. M

    What turntables do you use? Pictures would be nice as well :-)

    Hi Ron, I’m very sorry to learn about your strokes, but good that you remember experiencing Sikora :) It does seem like prices are going up slightly on the Sikora turntables now they have a lot more distribution, sales, shows and a larger production. I paid a bit less 4 years ago compared to...
  17. M

    What turntables do you use? Pictures would be nice as well :-)

    Thanks Don, I remember having talked about Sikora with you earlier and answering your questions. If I remember correct, then you consider the Sikora after experiencing it at a show or something? This is my first turntable in this quality and price range, so I don’t have any similar turntables...
  18. M

    What turntables do you use? Pictures would be nice as well :-)

    This is my turntable, a slightly special version of the Sikora - Standard MAX. I just bought a second tonearm for it, The Wand - Master Series 12” now installed at the back and used with an Etsuro Urushi - Cobalt Blue. The other tonearm is a Davinci Audio Labs - Nobile with a Lyra - Etna.
  19. M

    I've been reading lots in the magazines about the J. Sikora tables - any actual owners here who care to share their thoughts?

    Main arm (to the right) is a Davinci Audio Labs, and the second arm at the rear is a Jelco TK850
  20. M

    I've been reading lots in the magazines about the J. Sikora tables - any actual owners here who care to share their thoughts?

    I have the Standard MAX as well. Mine is a slightly special version with brass sandwich plinth and brass ‘’boots’’ on the motor housings as seen here. I decided to go for the Standard MAX instead of the Reference due to the value at offer with the Standard MAX, it was already max’ing out my...
  21. M

    The Ortofon Verismo Has Arrived!!!

    Happy to hear you found the right match for the Anna :) I will miss listen to her sing…
  22. M

    The Ortofon Verismo Has Arrived!!!

    Being from Denmark I have basically followed Ortofon all my life, and I still remember decades ago, when I lusted for the MC2000, but had to settle for the first version of the MC20. Ortofon is an Engineering company working with some seriously advanced tech, and they have always been honest...
  23. M

    List of Turntable Manufacturers

    Here is another Danish turntable manufacturer to your list (I see Bergmann is already there), and thank you so much for creating the list: http://hartvigaudio.com/

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