Hello Dgob,
I´ve sold my LPM315 and have tested the M320 IIISTR Improved I won on an eBayan battlefield, in fact I was fighting against a gentleman at A´gon, Acman3 himself.
I´m glad to say it was worth to fight & worth every euro.
Unfortunately it is not perfect and therefore can´t perform as it should, so I´m not hearing its best ability.
It has the most common fault in vintage/used cartridges: an off-axis cantilever. What a pity, even at this condition it´s a superb performer. According to the seller the stylus may be 35 years old !

I´ve completed my acid test, Al di Meola´s "Elegant Gypsy" (Columbia 1977). My Improved tracks almost flawlessly the hyper transient & dynamic passages, just in a couple of peaks it slightly gets some distortion but this is nothing intrusive. Furthermore it has no sibilance issues at all.
It has the rhythmic pulse, the music itself at 1,2 grams VTF/flat VTA in my Trans-Fi linear arm. I will increase the VTF to 1.4 tomorrow, maybe this helps to get rid of distortion completely...
If the cantilever were straight the M320 Improved could a real challenger to the SHURE ULTRA 500 that I´ve been enjoying since 1989.
Anyway, the Improved is here to stay !
Regards

harold-not-the-barrel April 05, 2013 18:19

Hi Dan,

Great and it certainly seems that your options are improving along with your enjoyment. As I say, it would also be interesting to see how the M420 fairs in your comparisons - if only because Acutex seem to have produced that cartridge as the superior in the range (performance data and company literature suggest).

In the meantime, I look forward to hearing the outcome of your useful investigations.

As always...

dgob March 20, 2013 11:38

Hello Dgob,

I finally got around to mounting up, and checking set up on the Acutex M320 LPM cartridge last night, and found overhang was a bit short. I adjusted that, and alignment (MintLP BestTractor). I think the cantilever is mounted a bit off-center, so I had to adjust for that.

It, as you would expect, sounded much better (by the way, by using the Fosgometer), I was able to get Azimuth nearly perfect.

I'll try swapping the LPM 415 in after listening to the M320, and try to quantify the differences. I'm fairly certain, however, the M320 will continue to have the upper hand.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 15, 2013 17:58

Hi Dan,

It's surprising how items that look so (relatively) cheap can be so sensitive and reward so well. If you get a chance to play around with the M420 along with your M320, your views would prove invaluable to me.

Happy playing and hope the weather picks up

As always...

dgob March 13, 2013 09:45

Dgob,

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours setting up the Acutex LPM 415 III STR cart to the inth degree, and was rewarded with the best sound I've heard from it yet.

I certainly don't remember it sounding this good in the past, it was sounding remarkably balanced and detailed, but was heretofore bass predominant.

This is a pleasing development, and it tells me I need to do the same with the M320.

It's rainy and cold today, perfect time to do just that.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 10, 2013 20:00

Thank you Dgob,

I'm not surprised that it turned out to be Axel, I've heard nothing but good things of him, but I've yet to use his services.

The ESCC mods on the Denon 103R consist of white sapphire cantilever, and Paratrace stylus. This mod comes highly recommended by a fellow forum member, he was happy enough with the results, he sent his spare 103R in, to have it done. I'm hoping for the results he experienced, which he claims has obviated the need for purchasing mega-buck carts, as he had planned.

This would be a very welcome result for me, as my pockets are quite shallow, the opposite of my interest in such things.

Thanks for the informatiion, regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 08, 2013 19:10

Hi Dan,

Sorry, I didn't fully answer your questions. Regarding what changes Axel made, I know he put a new cantilever and elliptical stylus on and I believe he did other non-visible alterations. However, this is all going from my observation without asking him and you would definitely acquire more information directly from him. I believe he is very busy at present but he is a warm and responsive man and so he should be able to clear up any further questions that you have.

good luck with any modifications.

As always...

dgob March 08, 2013 07:26

Hi Dan,

The best technician I have found is Axel Schuerholz in Germany. He has done amazing work on some of my cartridges (including the M420 and my Technics P100 MK4) and on those of various other Agon posters. You can see him at work here: http://www.wdr.de/mediathek/html/regional/2012/10/23/lokalzeit-suedwestfalen-tonkoepfe.xml. Also, you can contact him directly through the following email address: [email protected]. You can also scan his website at: [email protected].

Along with your selection in the UK, you could also look at Northwest Analogue who I believe offer another option. I have not tried any of the UK technicians - despite living here! Out of the most reputable overseas repairers that I have tried (including Van den Hul) I found Axel to be the best and was, as I say, very impressed with the changes he made to my cartridges. There's also Soundsmiths who make great claims for their modifications of the Denon 103.

I hope some of this helps.

As always...

dgob March 08, 2013 07:14

Hi Dgob,

I was just reading your last post, and it caused me to wonder who you trust to work on your Acutex carts. I have my Zu Denon 103R lined up for a stylus/cantilever upgrade at ESCC in London, set for May.

Could you reveal who and what re Acutex modifications? That would be good to know, and there are other Acutex admirers on the site that might also benefit from such knowledge.

Thanks and regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 07, 2013 20:06

Hi Dan,

"with time, and learning where VTA and SRA are optimal, has made for the kind of response that I enjoy so much."

I think this is true for the M420 (and, maybe, all this Acutex range). They are incredibly sensitive and slight alterations or changes in tonearm reward with quite varied performances. Given that, I wonder if it might be worth your giving the 415 a longer run in and playing around with its set up a little more?

What you suggest hearing with your M320 is very similar to what I hear with my modified M420 and I'd still be interested in hearing your opinion if you get a chance to audition the latter in light of your M320 experience. The technician who modified my M420 has huge experience in mending and modifying the very best cartridges and his enthusiastic definition of my M420 as simply "perfect" does not seem misplaced. They are indeed magnificent feats of engineering creativity and most importantly of all, they seem to satisfy the most ardent of listener expectations.

As always...

dgob March 07, 2013 05:43

Hello Dgob,

With the 415, I'm not sure I've even gotten to the point where it's broken in yet. It seemed to have an over abundance of bass, at least to my taste. So did the M320 at first, but with time, and learning where VTA and SRA are optimal, has made for the kind of response that I enjoy so much.

The M320 just seems to have everything there, in equal proportions, nothing out of place, or overly prominent.
Bass response might be considered too prominent, if everything else wasn't in proportion to it.

Transient response is staggering, at times, (when called for), it really gets my attention. I've nearly jumped out of my chair a few times, it's so startling.

I will have to have a bit more patience with the 415, it yet may surprise me with performance I haven't found yet.

I will keep you posted on its progress.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 04, 2013 21:04

Hi Islandmandan (Dan),

I know there is said to be a huge difference between the 420 and the 415 and I believe some favour the 315 over the 320. Yet that's nevertheless really interesting feedback, even though (as you point out) it is obviously not really about the two cartridges in question. It might apply the same logic as that for my concerned cartridges and so I was wondering if you could just say a little more about the actual differences you're hearing between the 415 and 320: what areas is the difference most evident; where do they excel or fail?

Thanks for the comments so far and I will keep posting as things change or I identify anything that seems interesting.

As always...

dgob March 04, 2013 04:47

My Acutex carts are not a perfect match for your question, but I feel they are close enough to comment.

I wanted an LPM 420 STR, but had to settle for the LPM 415 STR, as the 420s availability had dried up. I opted for the 415 STR, which I thought was good, especially at the price.

I was told that if I came across an LPM M320 III STR, that it would be considerably better than the 415. I happened across an M320 (LPM) III STR on Ebay, and purchased it on the spot.

It has been in my system for about a month and a half, and now I can't get the thing out of the rotation. In comparison, my Zu Denon 103R sounds a bit bare-boned.

It also bests my Dynavector XX2MKII. That surprises me, since I'm using a Dynavector 501 arm. The fact that such a lightweight, flimsy-looking plastic cartridge outdoes such cartridges floors me.

There has been considerable discussion on the subject of Acutex cartridges, just do a search here Audiogon.

I too, am taken aback at these little wonders, and marvel that one could sound so good in such a massive arm (though only in the horizontal plane), is so very surprising.

So, carry on with Acutex, and keep sharing your experiences.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 03, 2013 21:08

Hi All,

Can any one who owns the Acutex 315 III STR and the Acutex M420 STR explain what differences they hear between these in their set-up? I ask this question because Acutex rank the 420 above the former and yet some audiophiles have viewed the 315 as the better cartridge. As the official performance data for both supports the Acutex ranking, I'm genuinely intrigued to find out if there are age related cartridge or system dependent performance failures at the back of this apparent anomaly.

I'm now using my 420 on a Morch green dot tonearm set at 1.25g VTA and it has stepped up yet another level. Maybe that's because of the better match with the higher compliance of the 420. Either way, my respect for this cartridge and its creators is simply huge and I hope someone can help shed some light on what they hear as its relation to its sibling.

As always...

dgob March 03, 2013 10:51

Hi Harold-not-the-barrel,

That's another amazing feature of the 420's: they track exceptionally well. I use mine at 1.4g and the infamous (Telarc) '1812 Overture' can be played with every cannon shot in place - and that is obviously no mean feat.

Incidentally, was I mistaken in believing that your system photo's show a 420?

As always...

dgob February 28, 2013 06:16

Hello Dgob,
You are right: my original ACUTEX LPM315 STRIII (long nose) would benefit from Axel´s touch I feel for sure. The original Shibata/low mass alloy cantilever must be changed to... that is Axel´s decision. My 315 does not quite make it, it lacks the rhythmic pulse that is really music, also it should track complex hyper transient information such as "Elegant Gypsy" (Columbia 1977) by Al di Meola at lower VTF than 1.8 g without distortions, in my Trans-Fi linear arm.
Regards

harold-not-the-barrel February 27, 2013 16:02

Hi Harold-not-the-barrel,

Pleased to have been of some help and I totally understand the distraction of everyday life: I am in a not too dissimilar position myself.

I like your interest in cartridges and wonder if your Acutex M420 STR might not benefit from a quick visit to Axel? He changed my stylus and cantilever to stunning effect. I do know that the 420s ranking within the Acutex range seems to differ with some listeners compared to the manufacturers own gradings but this might reflect cantilever problems with these old gems: at least that was my experience. And, regarding the AT20SLa that I owned, the revamped 420 certainly offers much: as great as that Audio Technica undoubtedly is! These are of course suggestions based on some of my experiences and might not prove universal. Do let me know how your developments go and I hope they continue to increase your enjoyment of the music.

As always...

dgob February 23, 2013 07:04

Hello Dgob

Apologies for my very late reply but I´m hooked on the most exciting thread on AudiogoN ever as you may have noticed and haven´t had really time for further topics. At the moment I have also begun to study a new profession so my time is limited.

Firstly, many thanks for your guidance.
Secondly, congrats for your intelligent choices for TTs !

I will ask Gunther to make me an armboard under my Trans-Fi linear arm.
And following the footstep of yours and certain other great persons I will some day soon put my linear arm on the aluminium/plywood shelf that is under my DELPHI, oh yes I will. But please don´t tell Raul, I will surprise him as once he was wondering how the arm performs when attached on a separate stand.

I will ask your help and opinions more later.

Btw, unfortunately I don´t have an ACUTEC M320 but LPM315 STRIII (original Shibata).
And my AT20SLa/SS is still at NWA, in the UK for repair (off-axis cantilever and thus very sibilant).

Best regards

harold-not-the-barrel February 20, 2013 19:33

Should have read:

"won't apply in your 'current' case/set up". If you do go down the stand alone armboard route though, I hope it is helpful.

As always...

dgob February 17, 2013 09:11

Harold,

Just saw your system and realised that the above won't apply in your case.

Good to see you using an Acutex 420 STR. I've been using my modified one recently more and more as my cartridge of choice. This might be due to the fact that my system and its performance continues to be improved and transformed - with a little help from my friends (as the song says).

I will actually update my systems page when all is said and done - possibly in around a year or so.

As always...

dgob February 17, 2013 09:06

Harold-not-the-barrel,

BTW, if you have any elastomer, I find a sheet of antivibration material does wonders beneath the spikes of my tonearm stands. Just cut out circles the size of say a 10p piece and fix doubles sided tape to each of these. Then fix them on your platform/shelf between spike and shelf and you have a truly isolated tonearm.

Also in my set up, the isolation of the turntable using Audio Technica Precision Pneumatic footers enhances overall isolation and with both arm and deck decoupled and isolated (both from each other and from the platforms inevitable ground based vibrations), there are massive performance related rewards - to my hearing.

Hope this proves accurate and helpful for you

As always...

dgob February 17, 2013 08:40

Hi Harold-not-the-barrel,

If you contact Gunther at Acoustic Signature, he can provide an aluminium armboard to your specifications. I simply took my spare ones off my Mambo, drilled and tapped holes for spikes and added weights. They work exceptionally well with my Technics deck on wall shelves.

Apologies for the late reply but I don't really get the time to monitor Audiogon these days but I hope this is not too late to still be of some help.

As always...

dgob February 12, 2013 07:06

Hello Dgob, Your AS Mambo Stand Alone armboard interests me much. Where can I get one, and could you give me the dimensions & used material ? Is there different heights available ? Thanks.

harold-not-the-barrel February 08, 2013 21:24

Hi,

I had the misfortune of my XV-1s going down at a time when repair was financially beyond me. This was before I found the services of Axel Schurholz and so I sold it. Hence the arm sat around until I recently sold it.

I can confirm that the combination of the G660P and the Dynavector is phenomenal and that a Japanese tonearm technician (whose opinion I respect) rated the performance beyond any thing else.

Of course, there are so many environmental, psychoacoustic and system related variables and so all I can really say is that you will need to hear it for yourself. Beyond that partnership, the Denon 103D was partnered with the arm and was the combination of choice for the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. That might be another good option.

Do let me know how it works out and good luck.

As always...

dgob January 13, 2013 09:44

Hi

Have acquired a Grace G660P and note that it appears to have fallen out of favour with you with the departure of the XV-1. Any thoughts on its application beyond XV-1?

Regards

Grantn

gnnett January 12, 2013 09:24