Benz Micro LP-S Cartridge

 

The Benz Micro LP-S is exemplary in its build quality, with every critical parameter matching or surpassing specifications. This is also reflected in lab measurements, showing nearly 40dB of channel separation and ruler-flat high-frequency response. Its sonic characteristics lean slightly toward the direction of being mellow and subdued, and are less demanding on the associated equipment and setup precision. Though it is not quite state of the art in terms of transient speed and extracting low-level details, the LP-S is perfect for users who prefer to spend time listening to music rather than tweaking their systems.

AMG 12J2 Tonearm

 

AMG adheres to the engineering approach in designing their products, with straightforward functionality and understated style which clearly deviate from the current trend of the vinyl playback business, where extravagant and sometimes bizarre features are becoming prevalent.  Their 12J2 tonearm is an indisputably successful product. It can be installed with ease, and is highly adjustable with very few usability quirks. In terms of sonic performance, the 12J2’s ability to extract high-frequency harmonic details is exemplary. Its sound-stage delineation can compete with any arm on the market, assuming the use of a cartridge with softer suspension hence requiring less anti-skating force. Overall, it is without doubt a front runner for the best tonearm in its price range.

音響與社會地位

 

除了實質金錢收入之外，常見的一個玩音響的動機是為了爭取社交地位。而最快方式之一，是投資去買高價器材，然後經銷/代理商立刻就會奉之為上賓，並為之吹捧。而且在社交圈或網路上貼圖宣傳一下，獲得能見度與話語權，就會被認定是神級玩家，甚至進而被封為先知，享受許多人的崇拜追隨，得到呼風喚雨的力量，也就是一種政治影響力及權力。而從觀察世界上各國政治界就知道，政治權力的滋味是非常吸引人的，所以即使不藉此獲得利潤報酬，也讓不少人樂此不疲。

首刻版 ED1 黑膠音效必然最好？

追求「ED1」首版，如果為的是像收集古書的第一版，以珍稀為前提，算是有些道理。若盲目認為首版就一定音效最好，多半是受到同儕間吹捧的影響，算是將「稀有」與「好」互相混淆的價值判斷。而且花了那麼多錢買到的片子，就像用高價買的名牌器材，聽的時候「催眠」的效應很強，多數人必定跟著起鬨大讚好聽。同時，買賣雙方為了維護市場價格與自尊，也必須堅稱首版之優越性。 

在錄音完成後，一般的多音軌錄音，都還要經過混音處理，製作成二聲道的工作母帶，才來刻片。「ED1」首版所代表的，是用這工作母帶所刻的蠟盤裡，第一個得到認可而拿去從事後續程序，所產製的唱片。這樣的第一批產品，「有可能」音效會最好，因為工作母帶播放多次之後，會有損耗的狀況。因此在所用的第一個蠟盤無法再用，用後續再刻蠟盤所產製的唱片，理論上是會比較差沒錯。但是，對刻片過程稍有瞭解就會知道，如果工作母帶還是在接近完美的狀態，而刻片師「手氣」好，甚至不同人來刻片，說不定會得到比首版更好的音質。 

前面所說還是用同一工作母帶的情況，像現在一些專業出發燒級重刻片的廠牌，如Analog Productions，Speakers Corner等，拿到原始錄音母帶而非已經使用過多次的工作母帶來製作。除非母帶本身已經嚴重衰老，否則用現階段最佳硬體，像刻片機（至少轉速就準確多了）與刻片頭就比幾十年前進步很多，加上專業刻片師又不必擔心一般消費者的唱頭無法播放刻得「太兇」的音軌，然後用高級塑料壓得的唱片成品，比首版得到更好音效的可能性是相當高的。但就像器材系統是否「好聽」是主觀意識的判定，這些優質重刻片或者是首版比較「好聽」，又會牽涉到是否使用音質中性的系統來聆聽，及上述「催眠效應」等心理因素。

我自己的情況，以前在美國追求稀有名盤的時期，也花了很多錢買首版唱片。當重刻片開始出現時，用當時的系統聽，覺得還是原版比較順耳甜美。然而隨著音響經驗的增長，器材系統及唱頭唱臂調整的技能進步，逐漸的就越來越少去聽原來的首版片，覺得Classic Records等高品質重刻片，會比較接近錄音的原始樣貌，而不是舊時首版常見的，隔了一層朦朧甜美的薄紗。不過，還是有許多人認定原版聽起來最好。從邏輯上來說，如果心態上已經定義了什麼是最高典範，任何與之有所不同之處都當作是缺點，那當然就無話可說了。 不過近年來，從事重刻的廠家很多，多數拿不到原始類比母帶，只能用拷貝過，或甚至數位化的版本來發行，最後得到的唱片音質往往令人失望。這讓許多剛入門的新手為之卻步，也使重刻片蒙上壞名聲。因此我在挑選重刻片時，與多年友人/前輩的黑膠教主L先生一樣，一定會確認所使用的刻片母帶來源。除了上述的這些有名望的廠家之外，其它牌子的就必須有標註音源是來自於原始類比母帶的，才會購買。

Ortofon SPU#1S Cartridge

 

Ortofon’s SPU series of cartridges have been available on the market for many decades, and even today still enjoy many dedicated followers. Listening to the affordably priced SPU#1S on my system quickly dispels any doubt why the model has been successful for so long. It has an uncanny ability in engaging listeners by generating authoritative bass, full-bodied midrange, and transparent, airy highs. Meanwhile, there’s diminishing amount of euphonic colorations or unpleasant distortions. The slightly reduced resolution in minute spatial details is only noticeable when directly compared to other mid to high-priced MC cartridges. Otherwise by itself the SPU#1S is an excellent value as a versatile tool facilitating long-term music enjoyment.

Surprise Best Cartridge Match with SME V Arm

 

In my experience, even though other sonic attributes are excellent, most cartridges tend to sound somewhat lifeless with the SME V tonearm. Of all the cartridges I've tried on the arm, this one below is the best match, regardless of price range. All the measurement data is quite good, including low THD, IMD, and the resonance frequencies in both planes are near the ideal 10Hz. It also needs very little antiskating to track properly. Though it still needs about 2.8 on the scale to eliminate side force and achieve fully symmetrical soundstage.The sound is definitely hi-end, no doubt. Vividness with great resolution, transparency, clean and fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-VM95SH-Moving-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B07JXD893J/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=At-vm95sh&qid=1629104106&sr=8-3

以「二手經驗」作器材評論？

 

有不少撰寫器材評論的人士，可以到代理/經銷商處或友人家，只在別人的系統上聽過一件器材，然後就可以憑藉這「二手經驗」寫一大篇文章來對該器材的音質抒發感想。在我看來，這種完全缺乏變因控制的評測方式，是匪夷所思的事情。

甚至會有「專家」，只不過在某處音響展聽了某件器材在某個系統裡的表現，就可以立刻對該器材下音質的定論。這常是一種幫商家宣傳促銷的作為，並以「鐵口直斷」的風格造就自己聽力高超的形象，帶動風向且吸引追隨/崇拜者。然而實際上，這樣的文字內容，對認真想知道實情的讀者，看不出有多少參考價值。而且，既然聽感是主觀的，藉著生花妙筆，把不好的說成好的或反之，也沒有人可以質疑。