Analog Test Record Question

hearingimpared
hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
edited October 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I have several test records that I use to setup my turntable/tonearm/cartridge combo. They are all from the 80s and I think it is time to move-on-up to newer technology.

Has anyone used any of the newer test records? Can anyone recommend one inparticular that you have experience with? I hate buying things like this only to find that there is really an easier one out there or one that doesn't require the hearing of a dog to dial in the particulars.

I've been eyeballing this one.

Any suggestions other than to get an SACD/CD player would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe
Post edited by hearingimpared on
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  • capecodder
    capecodder Posts: 613
    edited October 2007
    Hey Joe, if you want to unload one of your older test records I am interested. You could add it to the package you intend to send my way when you get around to it. I have never used one and I don't know much about them so I would leave the slection up to you if you are interested. The one I had my eye on was the Hi Fi News test record.

    If you have one to let go, let me know what you might want ($) for it obviously.

    Thanks
    Ted
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    No charge I'll send you the V15 Type V test record. It is very very good but I'm tired of it and want a newer one.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited October 2007
    I use the Cardas exclusively.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LPCRREC
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • capecodder
    capecodder Posts: 613
    edited October 2007
    Great deal. Thanks. Have you tried the Hi Fi News one. The little research I did kept referencing that one.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    I use the Cardas exclusively.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LPCRREC

    Thank man I'm all over that one.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    capecodder wrote: »
    Great deal. Thanks. Have you tried the Hi Fi News one. The little research I did kept referencing that one.

    I have quite a few of them. I think I have to old version of that one. Do you know if it was made in like 1985 or somewhere in that time frame?
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  • capecodder
    capecodder Posts: 613
    edited October 2007
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    I have quite a few of them. I think I have to old version of that one. Do you know if it was made in like 1985 or somewhere in that time frame?

    No clue, I think I saw they came out with a new revised version but that may mean 1985. Would be easy to search it out. That Cardas recommended by Russ is actuall pretty cheap.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    Man, I'm years away from using any test record; I set up my table, cartridge and arm once, sounds great, and don't plant to mess with it. Right now I am just enjoying getting those records cleaned and spinning them to bring great memories. the best part of getting into vinyl has been listening again to music I've not heard in a loooong time :)
    _________________________________________________
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    Well this obsessiveness I have is a curse.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited October 2007
    Man, you vinyl guys....:rolleyes::p:D

    I’ve got the later HiFi News Test LP with the unique, multi-discipline, alignment protractor. They say it “is an even finer pressing than the original....pressed by Pallas in Germany on 180gm virgin vinyl." Blah blah....

    “In total, there are now seventeen tracks. Side one covers channel identification and phasing, pink noise, and bias settings (Four tracks at increasing amplitudes). Side two contains tracking ability bands at the outside, middle and inside of the disc, cartridge/arm resonance and alignment tests, full frequency (20Hz-20Khz) test and a residual noise test. All bands are separated by locked grooves.”

    I never compared it with the one you are looking at or the Cardas.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    Well I think I am just going to buy all three. I'm sure one will have something the others don't and visa versa.

    Thanks guys/
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited October 2007
    I needed a good protractor at the time and the HiFi News LP came with one. Let us know what you find, o vinyl master.;)
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited October 2007
    I have 4-5 of these, including that 1970? Fisher test record that has a dog barking from the L/R channels. I really don't use them much. I have had excellent results with set-up using the MoFi GeoDisc. BUT, my TT is pretty simple- Rega P3/2000. Please post what you feel are the most helpful features you stumble on. Good luck
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited October 2007
    I used mine to verify I had done a good job with cartridge alignment and anti skate. I checked tracking ability and table isolation. I also tested the horizontal and vertical cartridge/arm resonance. I haven’t touched it since. They suggest using the pink noise for cartridge demagnetization every 300 hours. That is like yearly for me, and every 20 days (or less) for Joe.:D

    Here is a page that describes what you can do with some of the mentioned test LP's. http://www.garage-a-records.com/hifinews.html
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,766
    edited October 2007
    Ok, I've not used them myself, but a few months ago, I was asking my brother which one I should get. At that time, he told me that he has used both the Cardas and the Hi-Fi News test records with his Oracle/Graham/Benz setup. He said the Cardas has a nice freq sweep and a deguassing feature, but for alignment/setup he really preferred the HiFi News disc. He said if I was to only get one disc, I should get the HIFI News.

    Joe, with your level of dedication to vinyl, I'd get both the Cardas and the HIFI News!
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    I'm planning on getting all three. My biggest concern is getting the anti-skating setup perfectly and the tracking errors down to as close to zero as possible. The VTA/SRA I can pretty much use my ear for. All the other stuff is fluff, well not really in my old age the eyes are going and the hands are shaking so I need something to really dial it all in.

    The best anti-skating test record I've ever used and I've pretty much had/have half a dozen is the Shure V15 Type V test record. However, I noticed that with my new cartridge I have to set the anti-skating a full .5 gm higher than the VTF which with the SME V tonearm is suspect. The arm is so precise that all this time anti-skating has ALWAYS been pretty much the same setting as the VTF . . . something has changed and I need to verify.

    Having it in this obsessive head that the anti-skating MAY be off is driving me ****!!!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    Joe, just in case you are REALLY VERY OBSESSIVE....

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1198523615
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    Whoa that is going from disorder to illness.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    Agree.



    So did you email the guy already???? :D
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2007
    Yep I offered him a couple doses of my nighttime meds.
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  • Jed Leland
    Jed Leland Posts: 183
    edited October 2007
    Hello,
    A while back I lucked into an Ortofon testing computer. This is the machine that used to be used at various turntable clinics. It uses a specific test record and you feed in strips of pre-printed graph paper. It will give you the channel balance, channel separation, frequency response for several frequencies and turntable rotation accuracy. You can even set different cartridge loading capacitances. I took me a while to get it working correctly.
    Jed.
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