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Comparison of Ortofon Club and Audio Technica AT-VM540ML cartridges using a loop from Jamahr - Panorama.
Each cartridge plays four bars (16 'hits') in each test, starting with the AT first.


4 tests were performed:
1. Basic test (No processing applied).
Note the increase of surface noise on the Ortofon, along with slightly dulled treble.

2. Stereo test (Side signal only).
Possibly the most apparent difference is shown here. The Ortofon displays scratchy hihats and an altered kick drum tone (Possibly phase issues due to channel crosstalk?). The aforementioned increase in surface noise can also be observed in this test.

3. Bass test (Lowpassed @ 120Hz, 24dB slope, mono).
A subtle difference, but with headphones I can clearly hear the AT reproduces better bass sustain and 'start/stop' definition. General volume of bass seems to be identical between the two cartridges

4. Treble test (Highpassed @ 15.5kHz, 24dB slope, stereo, +18dB gain for audibility).
This confirms the treble is quieter on the Ortofon. The Ortofon also seems to have difficulty reproducing treble in the stereo field


EXTRA INFO:
- 48kHz/24bit recording
- Both recordings RMS level matched
- Technics SL-1200MK3D
- Schiit Mani Phono Pre
- Steinberg UR22MKII Interface
- Both cartridges have less than 1 hour burn-in time
- Record was cleaned with a brush but not liquid (yet)
- AT tracking @ 2g, Ortofon at 3g (per recommendations)

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