This comparison includes a needle and tonearm comparison table, spectrums, and a tap test video.
Turntable 1:
-stock Numark PT01 USB
Turntable 2:
-modified Numark PT01 USB
–3D printed tonearm
-shure M44-7 cartridge and needle
–Pyle PP444 stereo phono preamp (requires preamp mod)
notes:
-data was taken to objectively compare the stock ceramic needle and tonearm to a 3D printed tonearm with M44-7 needle and Pyle PP444 preamp on a Numark PT01
-data includes output level testing using a “Cardas Frequency Sweep and Burn-In Record” as source material
-audio data is taken with an Audio Precision APx515 audio analyzer
-The Pyle PP444 phono preamp was chosen for it’s very low cost, and +9V (single rail) operation
-a much higher quality preamp can be used if desired
-top level view, the data says that the output level is similar between turntable 1 and turntable 2
-the m44-7 has a bit more low end
-the ceramic needle has a bit more high end
-the m44-7 is louder with a 1kHz tone audio source
-the ceramic needle is louder with a pink noise audio source
-the ceramic needle has a lower noise floor when the platter is moving
-the m44-7 has a lower noise floor when the patter is not moving
-the m44-7 has less record wear
-the m44-7 has better anti-skate performance when bouncing (i.e. more likely to land back on the correct skipless scratch section of the record)
–platter bars will help with bounce performance for both needles
-Needle and Tonearm Comparison Data
1. See the Needle and Tonearm Comparison Table, and associated spectrums
Needle and Tonearm Comparison Table
| Test Description | Ceramic Needle (mVrms) | M44-7 with Pyle PP444 Preamp (mVrms) | ||
| Channel 1 | Channel 2 | Channel 1 | Channel 2 | |
| 1kHz tone, full volume, flat EQ | 245 | 219 | 307 | 276 |
| 1kHz tone, full volume, Hi EQ | 284 | 251 | 364 | 327 |
| 1kHz tone, full volume, Low EQ | 198 | 176 | 276 | 242 |
| Tonarm docked, no input (noise floor test) | 0.752 | 0.735 | 0.407 | 0.397 |
| Tonearm undocked, no input (noise floor test, platter moving) | 1.63 | 1.69 | 7.78 | 7.1 |
| Pink Noise, full volume, flat EQ | 505 | 451 | 322 | 327 |
| Pink Noise, full volume, Hi EQ | 673 | 585 | 351 | 363 |
| Pink Noise, full volume, Low EQ | 293 | 214 | 285 | 280 |
table notes:
-all data taken with Audio Precision APx515
-both turntables were wall powered for all tests
-the 1kHz and pink noise audio source was generated by playing source material from the “Cardas Frequency Sweep and Burn-In Record” vinyl record
-“Cermaic Needle” refers to the Numark PT01 stock needle
-“M44-7” refers to a shure M44-7 cartridge mounted on a 3D printed tonearm
-“with Pyle PP44” refers to a modified Numark PT01, where the existing preamp is bypassed, and a Pyle PP444 is installed in it’s place
-“flat EQ” refers the tone control knob in center position
-“Hi EQ” refers to the tone control knob in “High” position
-“Low EQ” refers to the tone control knob in the “Low” position
-Spectrums
2. See spectrums
-Bounce Performance
3. See the tap test video