Cartridge "running in "

[trebor1594]

OK so ive googled this and there are conflicting reports . Just bought a Ortofon Quintet REd and an IFi Zen phono amp . Ive got it set to 60db and 100ohm . Cartridge sounds a bit muddy and bass is ill defined . The mids and trebles are too sharp .

Im using the remaster of Pink Floyds Animals which is an album ive listened to many times on Cd and streamed in CD quality.

Ive got the setup as spot on as i can on my Project Classic turntable .

Any ideas or do i just need to be patient ?

 

[gasolin]

what phono is it ?

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-phono/ ?

Amp,turntable,speakers, cable ?

 

[trebor1594]

Sorry yeah i thought i said -its an Ortofon Quintet Red Moving Coil. AMP Rotel Rb 1580 mk2 Pre Amp Rotel 1590mk 2 TT Project Classic Mk 1 Speakers Dali oberon 5 Audioquest XLR cables . Pre Amp phono IFI Zen 3 .

 

[gasolin]

WTF You only have Dali Oberon 5

They are without any doubt the weakest link

https://www.avforums.com/threads/dali-oberon-5s-sounding-muffled-and-lacking-treble-detail.2351968/

Mids harsh with Oberon 5s?

Hi there I recently bought some new kit. I have Dali Oberon 5 speakers & an Arcam A5 amp. I'm finding the (what I would call...) high mids quite harsh. So for example a crash cymbal sort of range. Can anyone offer any advice? Could it be that the kit just needs to run in? I'm finding the...

forums.whathifi.com

#25
I had dali Oberon 5 awhile back and wasn't a fan as they too sounded a tad harsh with my Arcam amp.
I changed them by taking my amp with me to richer sounds and demoing my way to the QA 3050i in which the difference to me a much better pairing.

 

[Fandango Andy]

OK so ive googled this and there are conflicting reports . Just bought a Ortofon Quintet REd and an IFi Zen phono amp . Ive got it set to 60db and 100ohm . Cartridge sounds a bit muddy and bass is ill defined . The mids and trebles are too sharp .

Im using the remaster of Pink Floyds Animals which is an album ive listened to many times on Cd and streamed in CD quality.

Ive got the setup as spot on as i can on my Project Classic turntable .

Any ideas or do i just need to be patient ?

Is this an existing turntable on which you have upgraded the cartridge? If so how did if sound before?

Or, have you recently purchased it new without a cartridge and tis is the first time you have used it? if so are you 100% sure the setup is perfect. Do you have the appropriate counterweight for the cart? And in this instance, have you listened to this actual record before, or is that new too. Modern remasters and pressings aren't always the best version. They can sacrifice dynamic range in favour of volume.

 

[gasolin]

Some Project The Classic Evo comes standard with a Ortofon Quintet Red so it should be a fine match

On there website it's the silver cartridge but many evo's form store comes with a Ortofon Quintet Red

Henley Audio | The Classic EVO Turntables | Welcome to Henley Audio

The Classic Evo utilises a simple and elegant “frame” design, which bears a notable resemblance to some of the most famous turntables of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. To learn more about this product, head to our website today! Henley Audio - Quality Hi-Fi Distribution.

www.henleyaudio.co.uk

Pro-Ject The Classic Evo (Walnut)

Shop for Project The Classic Evo Walnut Turntable with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

 

[Fandango Andy]

Some Project The Classic Evo comes standard with a Ortofon Quintet Red so it should fine match

On there website it's the silver cartridge but many evo's form store comes with a Ortofon Quintet Red

Henley Audio | The Classic EVO Turntables | Welcome to Henley Audio

The Classic Evo utilises a simple and elegant “frame” design, which bears a notable resemblance to some of the most famous turntables of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. To learn more about this product, head to our website today! Henley Audio - Quality Hi-Fi Distribution.

www.henleyaudio.co.uk

Pro-Ject The Classic Evo (Walnut)

Shop for Project The Classic Evo Walnut Turntable with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

I understand it comes with an option of either a 2M Silver or without a cartridge. I the case of the latter some stores may put one of their (or customers) choosing.

It isn't clear if the OP has upgraded or this is a new purchase that has come with (or he has added) the Quintet Red. I'm sure they will come back with more info soon.

 

[gasolin]

I have a ifi phonostage myself and new cables that are not burned in yet

A little brighter than neutral but i don't know a Project Classic Mk 1 with a Ortofon Quintet RED and an IFi Zen phono 3 sound like

It could sound more bright, analytic + combined with cheap speakers realtive to the rest of the system, not be a perfect match

100ohm load might not be perfect

MC Quintet Red

Enter the Exclusive world of Ortofon’s famous moving coil sound.The Quintet Red is a perfect introduction to the world of Ortofon moving coils.It features an Elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards.This entry-level MC cartridge has very high price-to-performance ratio...

ortofon.com

 

[Al ears]

I have a ifi phonostage myself and new cables that are not burned in yet

A little brighter than neutral but i don't know a Project Classic Mk 1 with a Ortofon Quintet RED and an IFi Zen phono 3 sound like

It could sound more bright, analytic + combined with cheap speakers realtive to the rest of the system, not be a perfect match

100ohm load might not be perfect

MC Quintet Red

Enter the Exclusive world of Ortofon’s famous moving coil sound.The Quintet Red is a perfect introduction to the world of Ortofon moving coils.It features an Elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards.This entry-level MC cartridge has very high price-to-performance ratio...

ortofon.com

View attachment 8099

Unfortunately yes, like all Ortofons, Quintet Red is the cheapest in the line and not necessarily any good, its a cheap moving coil.
I would suggest binning it in favour of a decent moving magnet and letting the Rotel preamp do its bit.

 

[Gray]

.....and new cables that are not burned in yet

Stop it! 😆

 

[skinnypuppy71]

In my limited experience, a new cartridge should sound very good straight from the box and gradually refine its sound over the first 10-20 hours of use....I just fitted a new Nagaoka mp-500 and it sounded excellent straight away and it's only improving.......only about 6 hours in.

 

[DougK1]

In my limited experience, a new cartridge should sound very good straight from the box and gradually refine its sound over the first 10-20 hours of use....I just fitted a new Nagaoka mp-500 and it sounded excellent straight away and it's only improving.......only about 6 hours in.

That is a lovely cartridge

 

[nopiano]

Is this an existing turntable on which you have upgraded the cartridge? If so how did if sound before?

Or, have you recently purchased it new without a cartridge and tis is the first time you have used it? if so are you 100% sure the setup is perfect. Do you have the appropriate counterweight for the cart? And in this instance, have you listened to this actual record before, or is that new too. Modern remasters and pressings aren't always the best version. They can sacrifice dynamic range in favour of volume.

Seconded. The Zen has various settings, and I’d like to know if 60dB gain is the MC Low setting.

Running in isn’t the issue. The Quintet Red I heard at an Ortofon demo was quite decent, but the Reds are all the mellowest toned in each range. Very hard to diagnose remotely!

 

[Al ears]

Seconded. The Zen has various setting, and I’d like to know if 60dB gain is the MC Low setting.

Running in isn’t the issue. The Quintet Red I heard at an Ortofon demo was quite decent, but the Reds are all the mellowest toned in each range. Very hard to diagnose remotely!

Unfortunately the Quintets are perhaps not the best cartridges for the money. No real benefit over a moving magnet design for that money. However, as you say, there are many settings to play with on the Zen.

 

[daytona600]

Input impedance 50 ohms , Input gain 60dB
Quintet Red loading on my fifth now

 

[gasolin]

I don't know why op wanted a ifi zen phono 3 when he has an expensive pre amp

Personally i don't care for mc cartridges, my ifi air phono has the option for mc but the sweet spot for my phonostage is mm

good small speakers vs bigger mediocre speakers or good "small" amp vs bigger (more power) amp, i would always choose the smaller one that sounds better

return the cartridge and phonostage, if not possible sell it and get a good mm cartridge + use the phonostage in the pre amp, another option is to buy a better cartridge, pro-ject makes mc cartridges, if you still wanna use one

Cartridges – Pro-Ject Audio Systems

www.project-audio.com