Chinese catridges

[Fran]

I don't need another cartridge....... but not needing something hasn't stopped most of us wanting it.

Anyway, I had been watching commentary on some of the Chinese cartridges that are available on Aliexpress and ebay. Most the recent comments were very positive indeed although as you'd expect there were some less than complimentary. Back a few years ago a guy on Audiokarma who rebuilds carts was saying the quality of the bodies was excellent but the stylus/cantilever wasn't great. So I thought by going for a higher end cantilever I might get by that. The long and short of it is that I decided the only way I would ever really find out was to stick my toes in the water.

A few weeks ago I bought a very moderately priced model - a low output moving coil in an aluminium and ebony body, super elliptical stylus (which I think is very close to the microline type), titanium alloy cantilever and very low impedance coil winding. Cost was under €300 all in after VAT etc. I really think I got a complete bargain. Although I only have a couple of hours on it so far, I am very impressed.

I went for this model for a few different reasons, but the key criteria was the low impedance coils, elliptical type stylus and the titanium alloy cantilever. I think the stiffness/lightness of the cantilever is pretty important. For about €500-600 you can get boron cantilever models but I didn't go there as risk mounts with cost - and lets face it, it could have been rubbish. Maybe the stylus will fall off after 100 hours (although I have lots of cases of that happening with 2-3k carts too!).

Turns out the company making them is Zhige audio and the exact model I went for was http://m.zhige-audio.com/products_1536741.html

Time will tell how well it settles down, but I can tell you already it is very smooth, no harshness etc at all after only a few sides played. I've heard more forensic detail form other carts, but nothing is lost I think, and its hard to judge exactly since I am using it on a different arm, deck and phono stage! I would class it as being on the warm side, but I have only set the loading at 100ohms and have yet to play with it.

Anyone else tried one of these?

[Ivor]

In looks alone it's quite Hana like.. the ML level. Keep us informed as it beds in. 🛌

[Fran]

Will do.

As it has been playing I've been experimenting with the loading - which is probably not a great idea until it has another few hours on it.

I'm still impressed.

[Diapason]

I wouldn't mind having an MC cartridge to experiment with. Hmm...

[hudo]

Hmm, now i am tempted... :(
Might me interesting change for my AT VM740ML, just to compare what asian friends can do for the same amount of money. Don't want to spend more because of a toddler in the house, had to replace one stylus already.

Reading dynamic compliance info confuses me alwats. They say μm/mN at 10hz, while AT says cm/dyne at 100hz, same as this calc i am using https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_r ... mit=Submit. Tonearm mass is 11g, so i guess this cartridge should work fine?

Can you also please share the link to aliexpress, can't find ZG-Ti103 there.

[Diapason]

Hudo, I must admit I've been completely convinced by the performance of the AT VM95ML and 95SH, and I'd love to know what the higher up ATs are like. Didn't know you were using one.

[Eugene]

Hudo, I must admit I've been completely convinced by the performance of the AT VM95ML and 95SH, and I'd love to know what the higher up ATs are like. Didn't know you were using one.

Using the Rigb ATvm95ml myself.
Looking at upgrading the the rigb 540 ml next time.
Not sure I am ready for MC just yet.

[Brutus1968]

It may sound like coming out of the blue, but I am not totally surprised by the news: the entire Audio-Technica AT-VM95 range (which received excellent reviews) is already fully produced in China (at least this is what I read), with only the Shibata version of the stylus produced in Japan. The story is repeating, and after the electronics is now the time of the cartridges. Which is good news for us.

Best

[hudo]

Hudo, I must admit I've been completely convinced by the performance of the AT VM95ML and 95SH, and I'd love to know what the higher up ATs are like. Didn't know you were using one.

I am very happy with 740ML; was looking for more neutral and detailed cartridge compared to some more musical (Hana comes to mind), just because rest of the system is more on the musical side, was afraid of getting too much of a good thing:)
And think thats what i got - neutral sound, good extensions and dynamics, with excellent tracking thanks for microline.
But always wandering how's the grass in the MC land, much greener, too much, and how it compares with MM.

[Fran]

I don't know if this link will work:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... ry_from%3A


They are all sold by resellers but are made by Zhige audio. About 15 hours on it now and still very much liking it. I think it has settled out now. Mine is the "titanium rod copper wire 2ohms 0.3mV". I settled out at 300ohm loading but in truth I don't think there was much change from 100ohm standard.

I suppose all the usual disclaimers apply - you have no warranty as such, no one to look after you if something goes wrong etc etc. So buyer beware.