The test setup
Contents
We receive from Le Son not only the LS10 mkII cartridge, but also the brand new cartridge holder, the Voyager headshell and a ‘headshell washer’ (ring) made of copper. All of this is made specifically for the Technics SL1200 turntable.
As you may know, the Alpha Audio headquarters is located in the premises of vinyl pressing company Record Industry, Artone Studios and Music On Vinyl. In such an environment it is no problem to be allowed to use a Technics SL1200 for a while, shout out and a big thanks to Lex!
We attach the cartridge to the headshell, replace the plastic ring on the tone arm and attach the headshell to the turntable.
Reference system
- Pass Labs XP-12 pre-amp
- Pass Labs X150.8 power amplifier
- Primare R35 phono stage
- Isotek Titan V5 filter for Pass X150.8
- YETI Reference 1000 for sources
- Yeti power-cables
- Van den Hul Nova speaker cable
- Van den Hul CNT XLR interconnect
- PSI AVAA active bass traps
Everything is connected and, as with the SL1, installing the Le Son LS10 cartridge is fairly easy. We are advised by Gregory de Richemond to listen especially carefully after adjusting the element. For those who want to read more about it; here is an extensive article by him on tuning and setup, protractor specifically tailored to your turntable. Read this and you can impress at parties and celebrations by showcasing your knowledge of the Baerwald, Löfgren or Stevenson protractor variety! Setting up the Primare R35 is also easy and smooth; the specifications that Le Son recommends are easily set up on the R35.
Hello Yung, I’m a fan of Alpha-audio a long time and greatfull that you introduced vinyl as a valuable audio source a while ago. The question on this Le Son LS10 review is what Technics SL1200 was used? A vintage SL1200 model? If so I would be suprised a little because specially the arm and arm-wiring are not great enough i.m.o to use the full potential of this cartridge and I modified quite some SL1200’s with improved result. Your earlier test with the Le Son LS1 was executed using the STD 305D record player with SME 3009 series III tonearm, why not also used this platform next to the Technics to make a better compare.
Thank you Yung I had much pleasure reading your review. It is refreshing to read about something else than digital audio (which I’m a big fan of). One day I want a vinyl setup at home, this must be an amazing experience. Also I feel like the 1k€ territory for an MC cartridge is the sweet spot for very refined audio for a somewhat reasonable price.