Phasemation PP-2000

[Johan K]

So yesterday I had the opportunity to receive the Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge for testing at home, to see how it match up with my Technics SL-1200G turntable. I feel it is time to have something that matches up for my other carts on the bigger, more sophisticated Ascona Neo turntable from Acoustic Signature.

So late yesterday evening I was able to roughly mount and line up the PP-2000 in my Jelco HS-30 headshell. Going through my AirTight ATH-2 Reference SUT, at 23db and into the D’Agostino Momentum Phonostage at 44 dB I get a total gain of 67dB which is more than enough for a good level output.

Fine adjustments is ofcourse needed for the next coming days, but I did get a first impression listening to it last night, and I must say I was blown away by the midrange right away, which to me in my system sounded really really good, very smooth, relaxed and very airy. Bass was fast, very tight and very balanced. Not too much in terms of depth or overwhelming bass, but just very clean tight fast bass.

Treble on the other hand did raise a bit of concern at this first round of listening. I felt it was little bit bright… but this also has to do with my system was stone cold as it had been shut off for some time. After a few hours, the brightness had vanished quite a bit and was getting smoother by the hour. Hopefully it will continue this way while testing over the weekend and coming weeks.

To this must be add, that the cartridge is not brand new, but broken in by the dealer who’s been playing it for some time. Btw, the dealer is the nicest guy ever, just so you know. Anyway, should this remain, I certainly have a bunch of aces in my back pocket to use, try to overcome the slight brightness of this cartridge.

All and all, as a first impression, I am quite happy with what I heard, and regarding the tracking and behavior, it tracks great. The first rough setup was rather simple if compared to the Koetsu cartridges where you’re almost ready to strangle someone standing close, due to the difficulty to see the cantilever underneath the Koetsu cartridge body. The alignment of the PP-2000 was a walk in the park in comparison.

So not much more to say at this point. More will follow as the test goes on. Enjoy!

/Jk

 

[mtemur]

you’re almost ready to strangle someone standing close, due to the difficulty to see the cantilever underneath the Koetsu cartridge body

 

[Johan K]

So back in sweetspot once again, just playing around with the PP-2000 cartridge. It seems that the upper end has calm down quite a bit since start up of the system the other day. Early Saturday morning here, and first out on the SL-1200G is Nils Frahm - All Melody, from 2018. The sound is really really nice. Very balanced sound overall, and I don’t feel any stress in the treble at this point. The vertical tracking force (VTF) is set to 1,85grams, which in the middle of recommended (1,7-2,0g) from the manufacturer.

Due to relatively high combined weight of the cartridge/headshell combo, I use my specially made external super-counterweight at the back of the tonearm. At 18,5 grams it helps balance up the tonearm to accommodate heavier cart/headshell combos, which has worked out very well here. Also due to it’s compact design, there is no trouble to put the cover on as well - even playing with cover closed works just fine.

Tonearm is set flat/horizontal to the record surface, which in this case means I had to lower the VTA tower to it’s minimum, which is fine as long as the arm is horizontal. Ofcourse there are thinner and thicker vinyls, but that is a minor issue and doesn’t make that much of a difference in SQ in my system. I would say it sounds equally as good.

The bias force or the Antiskate if you will, is set just over 1,1 on the knob-scale. This is set by using the Wally Skater by WallyTools (thank you J.R.), but not only that… It is visually and sonically fine adjusted by me, looking at the behavior of the cantilever as it tracks down the grooves, and at the same time fine adjusted the bias force untill the cantilever follows the cartridge body perfectly in a straight line, without any force from either left or right side. I have found this technique to be very effective.

As for right now it is a big difference in SQ since the start up the other day. Now everything is up in temperature and is sounding really good. I will play around with more vinyls, more different music styles before making any more changes at this point, to see how the PP-2000 behaves.

More will follow… Enjoy !

/ Jk

 

[XV-1]

Hey Johan, that cartrridge looks familiar

Phasemation PP-2000 with PhaseTech CS-1 headshell on the Pioneer Exclusive P3.

One day I gotta move the slightly lighter Phasemation CS-1200 headshell off the SME 3012R.

 

[Johan K]

Hey Johan, that cartrridge looks familiar

Phasemation PP-2000 with PhaseTech CS-1 headshell on the Pioneer Exclusive P3.

One day I gotta move the slightly lighter Phasemation CS-1200 headshell off the SME 3012R.

Wow - Looks great - Nice pictures!

 

[Johan K]

So yesterday was vinyl heaven here, testing out the Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge. I played a lot of music, lots of different styles and genres, all very familiar to me so I knew what to listen for.

So I found out that this cartridge is rather all around and works very well with whatever you throw at it. However.. as I found out playing some hardrock and heavy metal, specifically Metallica, it was not very pleasing for that kind of music.

For electronic music and darkwave synth based rock, downtempo and such, it is totally awesome, very balanced, very detailed and do present an airy big sound with a fast heavy punch in the bass region… so very fun to listen to the PP-2000 on that kind of music.

Did throw in an original 1982 pressing of Michael Jackson’s Thriller to see how the PP-2000 would behave.. all I can say was WOW!! I tell you guys, it was a LONG time since my jaw dropped listen to my system - I guess I’m too used with what I always have and listen to regularly, but what a refreshing experience I had when I cranked up Billie Jean to just below concert level.. did not need to push any louder as it was ALL THERE… Such presence, big, clean, tight, punchy, deep, clear brilliant, the list can go on but I think you get my point.

So I had the biggest smile ever listen to Billie Jean, and afterwards I had to look around, turned my head, stod up and turned around, looking for what just happened… The sound quality from this cartridge just had blown me away. Wild and crazy, and these moments doesn’t come very often no more. As I said, your often very used to what you have and doesn’t make a big deal out of it. Very cool moment for sure.

Thought this was a one time event, but soon I had a similar experience once more with playing an original UK pressing of Lisa Stansfield’s Affection album… ANOTHER WOW!!! At this point I was drooling and swimming along the floor edges of the room hoping no one would notice.. LOL.. It was so crazy good sound I had a hard time knowing where to go - Luckily I DID remained in the sweetspot to just absorb more of Lisa, as it was like she was right in the room - Totally Amazing!!!

Now … prior to the PP-2000, the SL-1200G has been hosting the Nagaoka MP-300 moving iron cartridge, with an output of 3mV. That has not been any problem as my four input D’Agostino phonostage has two MC and two MM inputs. Well the two MC inputs are already occupied by the AirTight Opus-1 and the Koetsu Blue Lace, which leave me to having two MM inputs for overs.

Now, the first MM is used for my 0,2mV Ortofon MC Diamond, which is going through the AirTight ATH-2 Reference SUT at 23dB gain and onto the D’Agostino phonostage where it is boosted with another 45dB, and optimized with the right output gain to match the other cartridges output, and some capacitance at 75uf. Most say capacitance have no effect on a MC cartridge, but when going through the SUT is has, and actually makes a difference.

So to accommodate the PP-2000 cartridge from the so called forth arm or the SL-1200G turntable, I have had to make a special to be able for some individual settings for this cartridge. As I have a pretty long cable run from the SL-1200G to the SUT and phonostage it has given me some sleepless nights, but now when everything is hocked up and running, it seems to work just fine. So the cable run is about 6 meters or about 19,6 feet.

Believe it or not, but I use a very simple rather cheap 2 x RCA to RCA, quite thick unshielded copper cable, and a regular 2,5mm² inwall lamp wire (copper) for the ground, as a tonearm cable from the SL-1200G to the SUT. And believe it or not AGAIN - It works just perfectly!

I had some issues with hum and buzz in the beginning, but it is all gone now due to some trix and fix at the grounding busbars next to the phonostage. So the AirTight SUT has three different inputs, but only one output. It has a bypass for MM cartridges and two different gains at 23dB and 29dB. Well a lot of features, and do suit me very well as I like to have possibilities for changes.

One thought of mine at first, was to use the same ONE output from the SUT for both the MC Diamond and the PP-2000, but this was a bit of concern due to the different output of the carts, and the very different cable runs. This had me wondering about Y-connecters on the output of the AirTight SUT.

Well if you wanna know something one is got to try.. right..!? So now I run two similar outputs from the SUT, into two separate MM inputs on the phonostage, each with different optimizing settings and parameters, and got to tell you guys - it works really really good.

Now I could optimize the cables, both from the SL-1200G turntable, and between the SUT and phonostage, but remember I am in a test phase to see what works and what doesn’t. Optimizing is for a later stage. Actually to be honest, I don’t know how much better it can be at this point and if so, is it really worth it, as it is very good as it is now?!

Finally I show some pictures behind the SUT and the phonostage where the magic happens… Enjoy !

/ Jk

 

[Johan K]

So for the last two days I’ve been playing the PP-2000 set to a vertical tracking force of 1,85 grams. Everything has really been smooth so far, but for a change I would like to hear this jewel with a bit more VTF to see what happens.

As I was checking the current status I could see that the VTF had been lowered by 0,7 grams for some reasons. The current reading was showing 1,78 grams, which is within range, though on the lower side. I think of boosting up the VTF to 1,90 grams to see if I can gain little more weight to the sound as well.

At 1,90 grams set I did double check the bias force or the Antiskate if you will. It will remain at just over 1,1 at this point. No need for change just yet, as the cantilever really behaves well in the grooves.

/ Jk

 

[A-Line]

So for the last two days I’ve been playing the PP-2000 set to a vertical tracking force of 1,85 grams. Everything has really been smooth so far, but for a change I would like to hear this jewel with a bit more VTF to see what happens.

As I was checking the current status I could see that the VTF had been lowered by 0,7 grams for some reasons. The current reading was showing 1,78 grams, which is within range, though on the lower side. I think of boosting up the VTF to 1,90 grams to see if I can gain little more weight to the sound as well.

At 1,90 grams set I did double check the bias force or the Antiskate if you will. It will remain at just over 1,1 at this point. No need for change just yet, as the cantilever really behaves well in the grooves.

/ Jk

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Excellent photos and reviews Johan!

 

[Johan K]

Excellent photos and reviews Johan!

Thank you, Greg !

 

[Balle Clorin]

Vet curious about this one. Any needle drops( posted recording ) /sound examples?

 

[Shuggie]

Vet curious about this one. Any needle drops( posted recording ) /sound examples?

WBF member Rensselaer has a PP-2000 and has posted a number of videos on YouTube. Here is the latest:

 

[Johan K]

So this evening I took down the PP-2000 from the Technics SL-1200G and the Jelco HS-30 headshell and swapped it over to my spare Kuzma headshell for the Kuzma 4-Point 11” tonearm, sitting on the Acoustic Signature Ascona Neo. Preparing for the weekend, I will probably mount and align the PP-2000 on to the Ascona Neo on Saturday morning.

Until then… here is a few pics from the swap shop .. Enjoy !

/ Jk

 

[A-Line]

So this evening I took down the PP-2000 from the Technics SL-1200G and the Jelco HS-30 headshell and swapped it over to my spare Kuzma headshell for the Kuzma 4-Point 11” tonearm, sitting on the Acoustic Signature Ascona Neo. Preparing for the weekend, I will probably mount and align the PP-2000 on to the Ascona Neo on Saturday morning.

Until then… here is a few pics from the swap shop .. Enjoy !

/ Jk

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Looks like a tedious project Johan...

 

[A-Line]

Greg,

I don’t understand what you mean by this. Please explain? Tedious means boring, and this is not boring to me, quite the opposite. I enjoy it very much. Maybe I am missing something?

Ha! No Johan. Tedious is reference to a very detailed/intricate endeavor. Has nothing to do with boring.

 

[Johan K]

Ha! No Johan. Tedious is reference to a very detailed/intricate endeavor. Has nothing to do with boring.

Ohhh yeah, I did suspect, but went a bit carried away by the translation… I saw later, the word had quite a few meanings… sorry about that.

Yea well… it is getting along according to plan. And it is very ”tedious endeavor” LOL… and yes, it is a nice little project going on.

As for now the system is heating up with Hatikwa and his amazing psy-trance music. Very good tunes for at low volume get some cone movement even though very quiet.

The PP-2000 test continues as soon everything is up to temperature.

/ Jk

 

[Johan K]

The Phasemation PP-2000 has now moved over to my main deck, and is now up and running on the Ascona Neo turntable. Alignment went smoothly, which it usually does using the Wally Tractor from WallyTools. I did set up the PP-2000 using the 280mm effective length curve, on the ”Newer Record Collection partition” on the Wally Tractor, and aligned it accordingly to the Lofgren alignment curve.

VTF is set to 1,90 grams, and the VTA is set slightly higher than perpendicular to the record surface, which I immediately could see worked much better than perpendicular. The PP-2000 tracked much better and was much more calm in the grooves. Besides that, it opened up the upper mids and the lower part of the treble, which did favour me more at once.

Being about the same cartridge/headshell combo weight as the Koetsu Blue Lace which the PP-2000 is replacing, I have decided to stay with the same bias force / or antiskate force as the Koetsu setup. At this point it seems to work perfectly already.

The Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge has the same output as the Koetsu Blue Lace at 0,3mV and is going directly from the 4-Point tonearm in to the D’Agostino Momentum phonostage via a balanced DIN to XLR Nordost Valhalla II+ tonearm cable. Gain is set to 72dB and the load is set to 50 Ohms. I did try both 100 Ohms and 25 Ohms, but found that 50 Ohms was just perfect at this point.

I will not be doing any critical listening this evening because the system is still cold due to being shut down during the working week and is slowly warming up.

I think I’m in for a treat tomorrow as it is already sounding promising. I have though played a few bits and pieces so far by Yello, Dire Straits, Jennifer Warnes, Nirvana and Enya… just to see that the cartridge is behaving the way I want. And it does!

Here is a few pics from the swap and the alignment process. More to follow…Enjoy !

/ Jk

 

[A-Line]

Ohhh yeah, I did suspect, but went a bit carried away by the translation… I saw later, the word had quite a few meanings… sorry about that.

Yea well… it is getting along according to plan. And it is very ”tedious endeavor” LOL… and yes, it is a nice little project going on.

As for now the system is heating up with Hatikwa and his amazing psy-trance music. Very good tunes for at low volume get some cone movement even though very quiet.

The PP-2000 test continues as soon everything is up to temperature.

/ Jk

You enjoy those projects and that's great. I don't have the patience for such things. I get the shop to take care of that for me.

 

[A-Line]

The Phasemation PP-2000 has now moved over to my main deck, and is now up and running on the Ascona Neo turntable. Alignment went smoothly, which it usually does using the Wally Tractor from WallyTools. I did set up the PP-2000 using the 280mm effective length curve, on the ”Newer Record Collection partition” on the Wally Tractor, and aligned it accordingly to the Lofgren alignment curve.

VTF is set to 1,90 grams, and the VTA is set slightly higher than perpendicular to the record surface, which I immediately could see worked much better than perpendicular. The PP-2000 tracked much better and was much more calm in the grooves. Besides that, it opened up the upper mids and the lower part of the treble, which did favour me more at once.

Being about the same cartridge/headshell combo weight as the Koetsu Blue Lace which the PP-2000 is replacing, I have decided to stay with the same bias force / or antiskate force as the Koetsu setup. At this point it seems to work perfectly already.

The Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge has the same output as the Koetsu Blue Lace at 0,3mV and is going directly from the 4-Point tonearm in to the D’Agostino Momentum phonostage via a balanced DIN to XLR Nordost Valhalla II+ tonearm cable. Gain is set to 72dB and the load is set to 50 Ohms. I did try both 100 Ohms and 25 Ohms, but found that 50 Ohms was just perfect at this point.

I will not be doing any critical listening this evening because the system is still cold due to being shut down during the working week and is slowly warming up.

I think I’m in for a treat tomorrow as it is already sounding promising. I have though played a few bits and pieces so far by Yello, Dire Straits, Jennifer Warnes, Nirvana and Enya… just to see that the cartridge is behaving the way I want. And it does!

Here is a few pics from the swap and the alignment process. More to follow…Enjoy !

/ Jk

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Really nice photos and reviews Johan!

 

[Johan K]

Really nice photos and reviews Johan!

Thank you!

 

[Johan K]

So this Saturday morning I’ve been having a blast, playing the PP-2000 on the Ascona Neo turntable.

As I was setting up the cartridge yesterday, my system was cold and just started after being shut down for the working week. I did test a few vax to see everything was running smoothly, but it didn’t sound right, even though very good for being cold. I really felt it was promising for today.

So this morning I slowly started to spinn some albums and felt pretty soon, that the Phasemation PP-2000 on the Ascona Neo was a whole different ball game compared to the Technics SL-1200G. Not really surprised as the Ascona cost a few cents more than the SL-1200G.

Anyway,
As I sat it up I had the gain set to the same as my Koetsu Blue Lace (72dB), but realized that I had to lower it to 70dB to match the output of my two other cartridges. Also as the system now is up to temperature, I had to change the load from 50 to 100 Ohms. Not a huge difference in SQ, but still enough to wanna stick with 100 Ohms.

Also another peculiar thing that accured yesterday as the system was cold, was RF interference in to the phonostage. Funny enough, while playing the Koetsu, the two small ground wires on the tonearm cable on the phonostage side has never needed to be attached. Now with the PP-2000, huge interference. After connecting the two wires from the tonearm cable the RF interference was gone, and this morning it was quiet as a tomb.

Continue playing and investigating the qualities of this cartridge it was soon quite evident that I was in for a roller coaster ride. So last week on the SL-1200G I felt the PP-2000 wasn’t for heavy metal, but soon enough I was ready to take that back. Once I had Metallica’s Hardwired album on, the cart played it back to me with authority and meat to the bone so to speak.

Excited I threw Rammstein on to see what would happen. Well It was a bit thin in the bass, so it needed a push to my six-pack subwoofer towers. In two channel this was it. The sound was right on spot and it felt like a Rammstein concert in my room. So I thought, can I do more - Yes I Can - so I switched to 7.4 simulated surround sound, and right away I felt like the FOH (Front Of House) mixing my own Rammstein audioroom concert.

This cartridge is really something. Having it played side by side with the AirTight Opus-1, and the Ortofon MC Diamond, the sound from the PP-2000 is really similar to both of them. Not very much do them all apart in my sence. They all sound beautifully and I could live with either of them at any given day. If there is something that sticks out in my system, it is the midrange of the PP-2000. It is really something to die for. This cartridge really melts my knees when it comes to midrange.

Not as powerful as my Koetsu Blue Lace when it come to sheer force, but the elegance of this cart puts it high on my cartridge list.
The intention of my test, was to implement a nice sounding cartridge to my SL-1200G, so it would complement my Ascona Neo turntable. Now when the PP-2000 sits tight on the Kuzma 4P 11” tonearm on the Ascona Neo, I don’t feel for ever taking it down, it’s that good.

However… as I now know it’s performance on the Ascona and the remarkable performance of this cartridge, it is going down today, and I AM going to set it up on the 1200G once more to see if I can squeeze out some extra juice from the Technics turntable.

(Little) bit more will follow before my test is over… Here is a few pics from this mornings blast - Enjoy !

/ Jk