Peter wrote:

I do wonder if the Beolab 5000 might actually accentuate the brightness of the Soundsmith cartridges. It always seems a very lively amplifier - I might use the 4401 as this always seems the most neutral of my collection.

That's why I took the Beogram to a friend's place for a comparison run, as mentioned in the review - wanted to check with another amplifier/speakers. Still had the telling brightness. Was fun to compare the cartridges!

It is an excellent review!  His findings agree with what I have noticed between original CL and SMMC 20CL on Beogram 8000.  I do agree that SMMC is better in detail retrieval and extension to high freq extremes.  I can see how it could sound bothersome for some people.  The original CL sounds very smooth and soothing to the ears.  My conclusion was the original CL sounds more pleasing and easier to the ears, but SMMC sounds more realistic.  When I say realistic, I mean it in the context of comparison with real music, not compared to the sound of CD.  Anyways, we all have different preferences, and the goal of this hobby is to find something that I like, not what others like.  I prefer more accurate presentation that could be ruthless sometimes.  I can see others prefer more smooth and relaxed presentation.  And the good thing is we can achieve either way with our Beogram turntable.

I've noticed the "glassy" sound was mentioned in the review.  I could understand the sound of SMMC 20CL could be perceived as bright, but but to my ears it is never glassy.  I have had a share of "glassy" sounding equipments, like NAD M55 universal player, Sony MCH analog preamp, and some of the earlier Rotel amps, and I understand what it means to sound glassy.  Typically when a component is replaced with more transparent component, it would also bring out the hidden flaw in the system that was previously undetected.  I would guess that was what happened when the reviewer used SMMC 20CL.  I consider myself to be somewhat of a picky listener, and Beogram 8000 + SMMC 20CL combo sounds pretty close to Rega 25 + Benz Micro Glider MC cartridge, which is a phenomenal combo, not to mention the $$$ difference.

Hi,

To add my pennyworth, I have just compared the Grace Jones Nightclubbing album I have on CD and vinyl, knowing that the LP was mastered with the CD. Well they sound exactly the same. My cartridge is SMMC20EN, not CL.

I tested this on B&O gear ( 1982 Beomaster 6000+CD 3300) and my all-valve setup, plus a Pioneer DV-717 (a formidable CD player) with the same results.

However, the Regatta de Blanc Police vinyl album is vastly superior to the CD, being more detailed but certainly not overbright. That said, it is an original, fully analogue pressing. 

With The Wall, the sound from my worn LP is more detailed, with more bass punch, but far less aggressive than the CD.

Another funny thing is that when I transfer a CD onto my mint A77 reel-to-reel, it sounds more like an analogue recording !

Go figure.

Just had a play! Very interesting - decided to record all onto wav files and keep the same recording levels. Will change this!! The levels recorded are very different! I attach a snap shot of the wave form recorded! There are 8 and a bit tracks - all are the same piece of music - Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. The short and over recorded bit between track 5 and 6 is the original MMC5000 which has a much higher output than all the others! I stopped after a short time as it was clearly going to be pointless!

interesting test... take five from the dave brubeck quartet is my absolutly favourite song. i've got a 180g repressing manufactured from classic records, inc. under license from sony music made in 1995. this was my first vinyl lp. :-) second was the mingus ah um lp from the same label.

cheers

dario

Mine is the CBS Jazz Masterpiece version - re-mastered. Very quiet vinyl.

i've found a interesting link: http://www.discogs.com/Dave-Brubeck-Quartet-Time-Out/master/34081

i've bought mine in a high-end shop. it's a columbia us-version and also remastered, sounds perfect... ;-) but mine is not on the list.

I have a nice pressing of Take That, and enjoy listening to it immensely. Simply wonderful.
Good thing those plots were so different, Peter. Imagine my pontificating about differences and nuances, and then everything coming out looking nearly identical! 😁

Hello,

Mine is an original CBS pressing (1964 Dutch version) I bought in 1982. Nice too. A little bass light maybe, and tape hiss is very obvious, almost annoying on "Strange Meadow Lark". Is it the same on yours ?

Jacques