[jtwrace]

Have you ever done a Grado Blue with the Longhorn mod?  From what I understand, the Blue is derived from the Green top 15%.  Is this true?  Does the Longhorn change the VTF much if at all? 

[Wayner]

The Longhorn changes the cartridge weight to about 7.2 grams, +/-.

We have never done a blue, as the 2 that are carried basically cover the Prestige line range (Green1 and Gold1).

BTW, we do measure the coil resistance of each and every cartridge before if ever gets the mod, just in case the coil measurements are too far apart.

Wayner

[jtwrace]

The Longhorn changes the cartridge weight to about 7.2 grams, +/-.

We have never done a blue, as the 2 that are carried basically cover the Prestige line range (Green1 and Gold1).

BTW, we do measure the coil resistance of each and every cartridge before if ever gets the mod, just in case the coil measurements are too far apart.

Wayner

OK. 

Could a Blue be done?  What does the service cost?  Is there any reason to not do it?


 

[dB Cooper]

No change to VTF if you rebalance the arm properly.

[Wayner]

I doubt that Frank would want to bring in 1 cartridge (special order), then ship it to me for the mod. That doesn't make sense for the product line. I'd think he'd have to charge almost as much for the Red1 as for the Gold1. Better off just ordering a Gold1.

[Wayner]

No change to VTF if you rebalance the arm properly.

Of course, added weight of the new longhorned cartridge would require re-balancing of the arm and set VTF to 1.65g (or what ever you wish) tracking force.

[jtwrace]

I doubt that Frank would want to bring in 1 cartridge (special order), then ship it to me for the mod. That doesn't make sense for the product line. I'd think he'd have to charge almost as much for the Red1 as for the Gold1. Better off just ordering a Gold1.

What about if one was to send it in?  Cost?

[Wayner]

I run the risk of destroying the stylus assembly every time I extract one and it has happened. So then I'd have to go buy another stylus. Lost money on this deal.

I don't want to speak for Frank so conclusively, but I'm sure this ain't gonna happen.

Buy a Gold1 and be done with it. Where not talking a big price difference anywho.

[xsb7244]

What about doing a Longhorn Shure M97xE?

[dB Cooper]

The Longhorn has dramatically helped all of the carts/arms I have heard it on. In particular my old Dual which had the "Concorde" style Ortofon in it. That design allows placing the bar very close to the stylus tip in all axes, and quite close to the record surface too. I had access to two of those 'tables and didn't realize how noisy that ULM arm was until I did the mod. Night and day and you didn't have to be an "audiophile" to tell the difference.

[jtwrace]

The Longhorn has dramatically helped all of the carts/arms I have heard it on. In particular my old Dual which had the "Concorde" style Ortofon in it. That design allows placing the bar very close to the stylus tip in all axes, and quite close to the record surface too. I had access to two of those 'tables and didn't realize how noisy that ULM arm was until I did the mod. Night and day and you didn't have to be an "audiophile" to tell the difference.

So this can be a diy mod?  Directions?

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Go to www.avahifi.com
Audio Basics newsletter 1982/04 Longhorn Stabilizer Project 4 pages

http://avahifi.com/images/avahifi/root/audio_basics/ab_pdf/ab1982.pdf

[avahifi]

I provided complete do it yourself Longhorn phono cartridge stabilizer instructions way back in the April, 1982 issue of my Audio Basics newsletter.

You can download this issue of Audio Basics free of charge here:

http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=181

Just scroll down to the 1982 volume and download the .pdf file.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

PS:  You would not believe how much a Longhorn stabilizer bar improves the performance of a Denon DL-103 cartridge.

[Tom Alverson]

I provided complete do it yourself Longhorn phono cartridge stabilizer instructions way back in the April, 1982 issue of my Audio Basics newsletter.

You can download this issue of Audio Basics free of charge here:

http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=181

Just scroll down to the 1982 volume and download the .pdf file.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

PS:  You would not believe how much a Longhorn stabilizer bar improves the performance of a Denon DL-103 cartridge.

Are you using the DL-103 or the DL103R?  The DL-103 is $179 on Amazon and the DL-103R is $339.  From the Denon website:

The DL-103R is an updated version of the classic DL-103.  It provides improved sound by using 6N copper coils wound with precision to the cantilever shaft.  Audio lovers will delight with detail that is brought out by this outstanding phono cartridge.

[avahifi]

Mine is an older DL-103 with a black body.  I don't know the exact model number.  It was a giveaway from a client that did not like the way it sounded and neither did we (harsh, bright, and thin).  So we put a Longhorn bar on it and much to our surprise, now it is outstanding.  It tracks great, very very detailed, very dynamic, killer bass, liquid and very engaging midrange.  It motivated me to redesign our split passive EQ Vision phono section to accept moving coil cartridges and provide user adjustable settings. With this combination, I am not really sure how much better record playback can get.  At least I am not thinking about paying a few thousand dollars to find out right now.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine