So many folks came back to me with stories of how their Audio-Technica ATVM540ML cartridges were "ruler flat" that I decided to give it one more go. This time, I bought a brand new one already mounted on a nifty headshell pre-aligned. Yes, I double-checked it and AT had it spot on perfect. The cart is bright but so far it does not appear to have the harshness my upgraded ATVM530 body with the ML stylus gave me. That 530 was an early generation VM cart and AT may have smoothed things out a bit over the last few years. It sounds nice and it will have to do me for a while as I am now broke and have no more cash for audio toys. :)
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My birthday present to myself this year: A Realistic/Shure R25XT phono cartridge from 1984! This gem came to me in the original package and I carefully set it up today and after 39 yeas of waiting it finally got the chance to sing. It sounds amazing, too. These Rad Shack carts were my go-to back in the day. Good sound, easy to get and CHEAP! Shure stooped making phono carts a few years back which caused the prices of NOS Shure anything to soar. However, the audiophiles overlooked the fine carts Shure made for Radio Shack! They can still be found and you won't need to take out a mortgage to buy them. Happy birthday to me! š
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Hey, I'm still here! This has been a weird summer for me, folks. Lots of ups and downs. I haven't had much time for making vids but hang with me 'cause I got some new ideas and I should have something out soon. I just finshed a couple of projects, one of which has to do with my new Dual turntable. I think I may have just found my perfect turntable setup.!
Dave Desler taught me radio engineering in schoolā¦ We were close until he passed on in 2010. Dave loved Dual turntables and heād always team them up with Stanton 680 cartridges. When I got my new Dual CS 618 Q, I immediately started scheming how to get a Stanton on it for myself. I had picked up a NOS 680EL a while back but the weld on the bracket that holds the cart in the headshell let go. Fortunately, one without a stylus popped up on eBay a couple of weeks ago. I bought it along with a new Audio-Technica headshell to go with it. (Yes, the new Dual works nicely with the AT HS3 headshell.)
I set it up carefully this afternoon and I was blown away with how good this rig sounds, especially when playing 45ās! As I have mentioned before, Stanton cartridges were the first choice for radio stations and discos back in the day and the 680 EL was called the āStereo Standardā for playing back any kind of record. They track a bit heavier than most carts today (3 grams) and they are far more rugged. They also can handle the high modulation of extra loud 45ās without distorting. Put that kind of performance together with the accuracy of the Dualās direct drive and robust tone arm design and youāve got one damn fine 45 player. The clarity, detail and stereo imaging surpasses that of a typical CD when playing a clean, well pressed record.
The only downside with this setup is the fact that Stanton stopped making styli for these carts almost 10 years ago. There are aftermarket versions but they generally suck. I have two right now and hopefully Iāll find more on eBay. You should replace your stylus every couple of years so I got time -- plenty of time to hoard a few. . :)
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Debian 12 "Bookworm" was just released a few days ago... How about we take a look at it together? I plan on doing an install and discovering all the new goodness in a long unscripted as-it-happens sort of video. Be looking for all that fun in a day or two. :) JC
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Attention Linux peeps! I'd love to hear your thoughts on creating separate /home partitions when installing Linux these days. Do we really need to do this in the age of UEFI and SSD's?Take a moment and take the poll. Thanks! We'll talk about it in a video soon. :) Joe
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In many of my videos, I refer to the audience as "Boys and Girls" I have done this for many years but now I have had a complaint from a viewer who claims that phrase is disrespectful to to adults... I think that's silly but I'd like to get your feedback. What do you think?
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I have been fascinated with radio since I can't remember when. I've worked in the industry on and off for almost 40 years. I went from being a part time DJ to Program Director. What would you think about a series of videos where I tell some of my radio stories? Gimme some feedback below. Thanks. JC
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Coming up tonight at 7 pm (Eastern US) it's "Southern Fried Friday Evening Time" at B-99-9... Come join me for the fun. Just click listen live.... See you on the radio. --Joe
www.b999fm.com/
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What do you think of YouTube Shorts?
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How long do you think a YouTube video should be?
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Linux computing, audio equipment and more... Welcome to my world!