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Cart Reccomendation for P5 re: roomate idiocy

Hello All,

I recently posted about how to upgrade my system and got some great responses! Well, I am back again in need of some expert advice. I really don't want to be buying a cart again but am forced too due to the incompetance of my roommate.

Here is the jist of what my situation is right now:

I have had a P1 w/Denon DL-160 cart and was going to swap that over to the P5 that I just acquired today from a great audiogoner!. I just got home and was about to go to work on it. I grabbed the P1 and was about to take the cart off the P1 when I noticed that the stylus was completely bent backward! I tried to bend it in to place but it was to no avail. The worst part is that my roommate won't even fess up to it, mind you he was the only one home all weekend. I can't believe the nerve of some people.

So now I am at a loss. I'm not sure what direction to go from here. One thing I do know is that my roommate will not be using my P5 ever!

My system will consist of the P5, Fisher 400, and Klipsch Forte II speakers. I'm wondering if you guys would have any recommendations of carts to go with? I feel like the Denon was a great sound for the money. I really liked the soundstage it threw out there. I'm tempted to get another one, but am wondering if there is something else out there that would be just as good if not better.

I am thinking I would like to keep my spending to around $500 or so. I only ever listen to rock music for the most part. So I'd love something that would gel with that. I just want something that will make most albums sound nice. I don't need something that will make anything less than an audiophile record sound like garbage. If you guys have any advice on what to do I would so greatly appreciate it.

In the meantime I am going to take a cold shower to keep from strangling my roommate!

Thanks,
-Clipper
theclipper
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Get an Audio Technica AT-150MLX. It will take you to the next step. It was designed and marketed to be a $500 cartridge, and it typically sells for $400, but you can get it for $259 at lpgear.com or for $250 with free shipping at J&R Music World. It is a magnetic cartridge with a replaceable stylus, which is available from lpgear.com for $179.95, or the price of a DL-160.

I have had both cartridges on my Technics SL1210M5G. The DL160 is a nice cartridge for the money--vivid soundstage, some speed, linearity, and clarity for the money, but for that little bit more for the AT150MLX moves you into a more high end experience--way more detail and clarity, soundstage, frequency extension, and dynamics, both in terms of nuance and jump.

When I was using the DL160, I liked what it gave me but I wanted more. With the AT150MLX I simply enjoy the music and don't think about it. I know that I'd have to spend quite a bit more to get noticeably better.
miner42
709 posts
 
You may need some shims for the tone armwith the AT since the P5 does not offer VTA. Whatever cartridge you chose you will need to check the height and compare toRega cartridge ht. - I beleive they are 14mm. My Dynavector DV20-XH required 2 2mm shims.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Dump the roommate.
theclipper OP
26 posts
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm feeling a little better after getting some sleep but the sting still remains. How would that AT cart compare with a Dyna 10X5. The Dyna seems to be loved by many, especially for a Rega.

I'm also thinking that I am going to have to disconnect my TT after every listening session and bring it down to my room as I really don't want to let my roomate have another chance to destory my expensive stuff.

I wish I could just kick him out but we are equals on the lease. I also wish I could sock him in the face....

Thanks
-Clipper
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