2. analog
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Analog upgrade path

The source I’ve been using with my integrated amp is a Technics SL-1500 mk1. Well, I’ve recently decided to step things up and have acquired an ARC linestage, which does not have an onboard phonostage. Now I’m beginning to think that pairing my Technics with my new linestage might not be a well balanced match, quality-wise.

What I’m wondering is, where will my money be best spent? Buying a nice phono stage (been looking at the Black Ice F159 or ARC PH5) and sticking it out with the Technics, or upgrading to a higher end ‘table (been looking at the VPI Scout Prime or maybe LSA T-3) and running it through a budget phonostage. Obviously the optimal solution would be both, but that’s not in my budget currently.

thx for the feedback


rfnoise
anthonya
126 posts
 
it's one of those cart that makes music sound like it supposed as intended. not too much not too little. I highly recommend it

basically kick nagaoka mp 500 out of the park too and some others. many upset people lol
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
It can do alot of things and alot to like for the price. hard to do any better below 1000 usd

Why do you trust people who never owned good MM cartridges ?

You’d better ask for a list of cartridges from the owners of Goldring before they will tell you this is the best.

Some people don’t even know about better cartridges, they never heard about Garrott Brothers, because they are British or Americans, but it’s Australian cartridge. I have never ever read from anyone about direct comparison of Garrott Dynamic Coil cartridges to mainstream like Nagaoka, Goldring or whatever.

However, cartridges that kills many of those overpriced LOMC are not new MM/MI, but vintage MM from the golden age of MM design (70s/80s). Those are unique in many aspects of design.

BTW Nagaoka is very old design, in Japan this company called Jeweltone and all those PM-100,200,300,500 designed in the 70's and sold in Japan under Jeweltone brand models MP-10,20,30,50 (Nagaoka is only export name for same cartridges). 
anthonya
126 posts
 
@chakster of course there are always something better for someone. 

for the current mainstream easy to get  stuff. 1042 is very worth it. we call it a value studio cartridge. it's neutrality is uncanny. 

like listening to say Genelec... rock is rock. love song is love song. live music u feel the heat.. that kind of cart... 
anthonya
126 posts
 
300 to 400 usd in ebay.. stylus 250ish. reasonable 
rfnoise OP
153 posts
 
@anthonya I read on another site that the 1042 has a very close sound to the 2500 at a lower price point, as well as being amenable to a wider variety of tonearms.

@chakster I read a previous post of yours regarding the Garrot brothers. A very storied history with a rather tragic end.

I came across an 11 cartridge shootout on another site 

http://soundadvicevinyl.com/2017/12/04/under-1000-moving-magnet-cartridge-shootout-11-cartridge-reviewed/

the winner was The Vessel r3sm. What caught my attention was that the cartridges were all evaluated on a Technics ‘table, which makes me think this might be a good match.

I will say that I’m really picking up (no pun intended) the difference a cardridge can make. I have on hand a Technics SL-2000 I bought as a gift for my younger brother. It’s fitted with a Shure m93e, and I can say that I certainly prefer the AT-3600l on my ‘table.




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