Cartridge for JA Michell Orbe Se with Technoarm

I'm happily using a Graham 2.2 on my Orbe - I'm sure it sounds good with a Tecnoarm too, though I prefered the 2.2 when I A/B'd the 2 on a Gyro.

As for cartridges...the options are endless. Does your phono stage like high or low impedance coming out of the cartridge? I've enjoyed Benz cartridges, but they have a high-ish output impedance and don't match to all phono stages that are designed for low-output cartridges. I'm using an Ortofon A90 at the moment, and it's a very nicely balanced cart with low output and low impedance that matches my preamp perfectly...it isn't given away though!

Countingbackwards,

Which version of the Graham 2.2 are you using? Does it have the Graham base or the SME base?

FrankC

Frank,

My 2.2 is an upgraded 1.5tc, which by definition has an SME armbase. Graham arms with an SME base can be a bit harder to find, but are a bit more convenient IMHO since you have drop-in alternate arm options.

I checked the manual for pre amp gain for phone is selectable between 73 and 75db.

That's very high gain...and an odd option. I don't know if I could hear a difference between 73 and 75 db...nor 73 would ever be too low! In any case, I took a look at the phono specs for the 011, and it looks like you're pretty flexible there, given that you can choose as high as a 1k ohm impedance.

So...your options are endless really! An Orbe/Tecnoarm is probably a pretty "heavy" sounding combo, so a cartridge that has a lively top end would probably be nice. On the other hand, there's plenty of liveliness in the Burmester gear I've heard. If you're willing to go there, a top-end Benz (low-output versions) is probably excellent on that combo, but Benz carts are a bit hard to come by these days due to recent health problems from Mr. Lukaschek. Other options could be EMT, Ortofon, or the slightly leaner but still excellent Zyx. It's always hard to recommend a cart, in part that I haven't heard them all and in part that it's very personal...