Post by Owen Y on Mar 19, 2019 12:24:54 GMT 12
Positive Feedback's Robert H Levi continues his review (Pt 3) of the MAG-LEV TT: I didn't think that it would be so sensitive to stylus force (or anti-skating)  Heavy MC cartridges need not apply, or you will overheat the MAG-LEV drive system! - According to Robert Levi. However, he recommends: " ... with the Ortofon 2M Black Cartridge, stable tracking, smooth quiet playback, and eye-popping dynamics will be yours.
You do not need a second mortgage for thrilling realistic LP sound.
The MAG-LEV ML1 turntable brilliantly solves so many problems inherent with vinyl playback, like eliminating ALL feedback and motor noise, for much more than competitive pricing. " 
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 19, 2019 12:49:51 GMT 12
Here is Robert H Levi's Second Report on the MAG-LEV TT. And the tweaks that he did to get best performance out of it: - new platter mat (Stein Music's Perfect Interface Carbon Signature Mat, absurdly expensive) - replaced the supplied Ortofon OM10 with Ortofon's top-of-the-line MM cartridge, the 2M Black - replaced power cord with a US$2000(!) Kubala-Sosna Elation! power cord - interconnects were replaced by WyWires' wonderful Silver phono cables at $850 " The ML-1... it just provided a super neutral platform for playback that both shocked and amazed me. Add to the excellent highs and midrange definition a bass response so clear, even, textured, and powerful as to nearly match my $6000 cartridges and $10,000 tables. " 
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 19, 2019 13:07:50 GMT 12
In case you were wondering (as I was) what reference gear Robert H Levi might have at hand as a basis for comparison, in a phonostage review in Nov 2018, he lists: Turntables used for this evaluation:
E.A.R. Disc Master (2 arms)
EAT Csharp
EAT Forte S
Mag-Lev ML1
Cartridges used:
Van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius: $5500
Grado Aeon: $6000
Grado Epoch: $12000
Grado Epoch Mono: $12000
Ortofon 2M Black: $775Not too shabby  EDIT: Actually if you hit his name at the top of the page, a complete description of his system will appear. (I'm interested to see a London Reference is one of his cartridges.)
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Post by Graham on Mar 19, 2019 15:47:19 GMT 12
I'm sorry, but anyone who is prepared to pay $2000 US for a power cable is borderline certifiable and therefore has zero credibility as a reviewer to me!! 
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 19, 2019 16:24:15 GMT 12
PS. All the Kubala-Sosna cables are on loan - see his system list.
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Post by colinf on Mar 19, 2019 20:14:56 GMT 12
Ok about the need for a lightweight cartridge, but I still don’t really understand why. The cartridge is supported by the tonearm which is on the plinth, not supported by the Maglev system. So it must be down to the tracking force. The Ortofon 2M black tracks at 1.5g, the supplied OM 5e at 1.75g. Lots of MM and MC cartridges track at that, such as my Dynavector XX2 MC. So is it down to increased friction of the stylus dragging through the grooves, which MC carts tend to have more of, that might overheat the Maglev system?
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 20, 2019 20:25:34 GMT 12
Yes, no reason to my thinking, why cartridge mass would affect platter, as it is carried by the tonearm & pre-balanced with the c/weight. Tracking force, Mr Levi insists on absolutely no more than 1.4gm, or risk of overheating the mag-drive. However, the Mag-Lev TT instruction manual advises 15mN (1.5gm) for the Ortofon OM10. The top of the MM range 2M Black installed by Mr Levi is specified for 1.5gm VTF (1.4 - 1.7gm). This weighs 7.2gm, compared to the 5gm OM10. More investigation required on the why & wherefores of this sensitivity. Or otherwise.
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 20, 2019 20:29:55 GMT 12
This is an informative video on hands-on un-boxing & setting-up of the Mag-Lev TT:
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 21, 2019 11:20:18 GMT 12
PPS. Bob Levi is current President of the LA & Orange County Audio Society (LAOCAS). You can see Mr Levi in this video, presiding over the presentation of the LAOCAS 2018 Founder's Award to Michael Fremer, at their 25th Anniversary Gala.
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