Has anyone used this or a similar test records? The instructions on the back are very meaningful to me (apart from cartridge break in) so I was wondering if anyone could shed some lights how to actually use this test record.
Using such a thing to break in a cartridge just seems silly to me. They only need 20-50 hrs to come up to full performance. Just play music and enjoy. That is just as effective.
I don’t use test records otherwise. The one exception is I have a Fozgometer and use the AP test record for the necessary test signals to check azimuth (works for stereo carts only). Otherwise I don’t find them useful.
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I also don’t have a use for a break in record, the worst is over after a side or two, though I give it around 50 hours before finalising the setup.
I do have the HiFi News test record and have used the resonance test tracks, though I can’t always see where the resonance occurs from looking at the cartridge and the warble happens over a range of frequencies.
I’ve tried to use the azimuth track which has an out of phase test tone and the idea is you try to minimise its volume with the mono button engaged but I find it very difficult to relate small volume differences in a constant tone when there’s a gap for adjustment between repeat hearings so I’ve given up on that method.
I tend not to use its method for antiskate.
Things it lacks are any warpage and the raised bit around the outside so it’s ideal for using with a VTA/azimuth gauge.
There’s also an Ortofon test record, not sure how that compares.
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