If it’s a Level 2 SS retip in great shape that’s a really nice price. If it mates well with your setup, you are in for a treat!
I use the re-tipped 20XH on my Townshend Rock 3 / Ittok setup (into a Juicy Music phono stage) and it is spectacular -- detailed, layered, smooth, dynamic, nuanced, and very well balanced. There is an organic wholeness to the presentation that immerses and involves the listener, and invites listening sessions deep into the night.
This has been my "goto" cart for years, so I’d say if you don’t get this then arm synergy is amiss, or your setup is not precise. I use 2.0g VTF, VTA has arm tube exactly parallel, 1.0g for bias, and Baerwald nulls set up very carefully with bright light / magnifying lens. Enjoy! |
I bought a used Dynavector 20xh Soundsmith retip here on Audiogon for $360. But, I haven't been able to use it as my Roksan Radius mk1 table is out of commission.
I bought a used Origin Live Aurora mk1 for $750, yet it's not here yet. I'll follow-up shortly.
I do have to say the Ortofon 2M Black has a big, almost bombastic sound. It could be a touch more graceful, delicate and articulate, but it's a fantastic cart. |
@jbhiller Did you buy a MC and if so, what did you get and how does it compare with the 2M Black? |
@jbhiller I prefer the Benz over the 2M, as I find it to be a more detailed cartridge. I do like the 2M though, but found it to be slightly heavy on the bottom end. If I was to go back to a MM though, it would be the Black without a doubt. |
My transition from the Ortofon 2M Black MM to MC......
- Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III - 2.5 mV High Output - solid performer, a little bit on the bright side but very detailed throughout the audio spectrum. Mine anyway. A bargain at +/- $430 on Ebay
- On to a Audio Technica AT33PTG/II 0.3mV Low Output
- again another solid performer that seemed (to my ears) very similar to the 2M Black.
- Current - Audio Technica AT ART9 0.5mV High Output - For the time being, and I think it'll be for a long time to come! Rock solid with all types of music. I purchased the ART9 primarily because of all the hype here on Audiogon and have no regrets. Unfortunately I am not capable of accurately or thoroughly describing the nuances of each individual cartridge above. I do however know what I'm hearing with the ART9. It's pretty awesome and getting more so each day.
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Crazyeddy,
Do you like the Benz over the Ortofon 2M Black? What do you like and dislike about the 2 cartridges? I'd love to hear your thoughts. |
jbhiller
I recently went through the same experience. I was using a 2M Black as well. I went to my first MC, and opted for the Benz ACE LOMC. So far so good, but I did have to add a SUT as the output is only .4 MV. The compliance of this cartridge works well with the effective mass of my tonearm, and I am happy with the results so far, but am looking forward to experimenting with some other MC's in the future. Good luck in your quest |
Ortofon dealer:
I second gshepardbuster...I'd include the Ortofon MC Cadenza Red. It's detailed, with excellent balance, nice percussive weighty punch, nice big soundstage, an excellent value too!
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The shelter 501 is where I went after the 2m black. Incredible detail that made better sound than 2m but i couldn't handle
the lack of "thump" and power from the MM. I went back to clearaudio maestro and im very happy.
Mc is great for your jazz but think carefully if you like to rock out. |
Stringreen, Interesting to read your post about the Windfield. I own a rather more rare now vintage Ortofon, the MC7500, which I think pre-dates the Windfield, may be the "father" of the Windfield. It hadn't been in use much for the last few years, but I am listening to it regularly these days, and I think it is very fine.
JB. What are you going to do about phono gain? And if you must scratch this itch, I would say get an ART9, especially if the gain of your Chinook is marginal for a really LOMC. (The ART9 puts out more signal voltage than most MCs not in the "High Output" category.) |
The 2m Black will move to the second system, comprised of KEF LS50s, Creek Evolution 100A integrated, Sequel drop in phono preamp. |
And what will you be doing with the 2m black? |
If you want a better sounding Ortofon...just go up the line. I have a Windfield and like it. Open, dynamic, not colored...
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Harry Weisfeld, founder and resident genius at VPI has experimented with an Ortofon Quintet Blue with the body removed. He loves it and you'd be way under budget. |
The Dynavector 20X2 L .3mv or H 2.8mv (9g) with the Manley Chinook and your Table/Tonearm would work very well indeed, if your looking to add some edge and attack along with great detail and effortless highs, striking liveliness with great tone and solid low end. Any of these would be a great choice that have been mentioned. If you look at the answers one thing sticks out, Dynavector has been mentioned most.
Matt M
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The Nima arm manual states an acceptable cartridge weight of 5 to 12 grams, so you have quite a wide range to work with. I'm a huge Dynavector fan, and would strongly suggest the DV Karat 17 as a possible contender at the top of your price range. However, the 17 has a mass of 5.3 grams and just because the manual says it's compatible that doesn't make it so. Tried one with my Graham and couldn't get it to balance even though the Graham manual clearly stated 5 grams was OK. Maybe look for something in the 8 gram range to be safe? Your call either way.
Good luck & happy listening! |
First off, my reason for trying out a MC is just that--to try one. I thought that a MC might give better detail than a moving coil. And, I thought that it would be interesting given my phono pre has dip switches and can match with some MCs.
The AT Art9 seems hard to get unless you go eBay. I'm not opposed to that though.
Dynavector would certainly make my list. I would like to try a Denon MC, but I think it's too heavy for my unipivot arm, or maybe not?
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Chinook has nowhere near enough gain for Art7! Art9 much better match, plus listener doesn't mention classical music and AT recommends the 9 over the 7 for music that OP likes.
Dynavectors need to be on the short list.
Hana is the new flavor-of-the-month. I still haven't heard one, but just saw a used one listed for first time here. That didn't last long! Cheers,
Spencer |
I have the 2m Black and a Cadenza Red. If you like the Black, the Cadenza Red is worth a listen. |
Hi tablejockey,
AT's upper lines were always among the best MMs IMO. Incredible stylus profiles and ultra-light cantilevers made of beryllium before the EPA helped us out.
Enjoy your fine cartridge and don't worry about "what's better". You are already at the sweet spot of price/performance.
Best to you tablejockey,
Dave |
Woops!
TNT review of the Hana SL LOMC. |
dlcockrum- take a look at this one... http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATART1000.htmlI believe it retails somewhere between 5-8K. Now that's ludicrous! Especially since the magnitude of improvement doesn't justify 5X cost of the ART 9!!! Likely it does sound heavenly though. Sure wish I had the means for a system to handle such extravagance. |
Hana SL--Shibata stylus, low output, from the "cartridge maker to the stars," just $750.
TNT review. |
I took it to mean that you were saying that the AT ARTs are the best cartridges in the world.
That would be a ludicous statement in many ways, although they may be your favorites. |
What do you hope to accomplish with this move? Personally, I don't even think of going with MC for under $1k. If you don't quite like the Ortofon, you could try Rocksan or Nagaoka MM, but again I don't know your reasons for wishing to have a MC. |
dlcockrum-
I should qualify that by stating it's a couple hundred dollars LESS, otherwise similar construction except the ART 7 has a non permeable core vs the traditional magnetic of the ART 9. The difference DOES result in a subjectively more delicate, airy presentation which some may find nicer.
So YES, it may possibly be a better value.
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"The ONLY cart that may better the ART 9 is the ART 7..."
Surely you don't really mean that. |
Late addition to my original post-
My ART 9 is going on 1 1/2 years and I STILL have WOW moments listening.
The ONLY cart that may better the ART 9 is the ART 7, which can only be purchased from an overseas vendor(Ebay) Its also a couple bucks less.
Lower output, so you need minimum around 65-70db gain.
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Would love to hear from someone who has lived with the Shelter 501 and the ART9 and get their view, Have heard nothing but good things about that cart but have not heard it (ART9) myself. |
the Shelter 501 would be my choice and the cheapest moving coil cartridge I could live with in my system, mine sounded fantastic with the Chinook which a friend of mine owns and allowed me to borrow while I was trying as many phono stages I could before replacing my Audible Illusions 3B with the John Curl phono boards. I just bought a new 501 to rat hole, from 2 Juki on ebay and his price was $800.00 for a series 1. have also bought a Shelter 901 series 1 new and a ZYX Universe new from him in the last 3 years. The Denon 103 series are very good also but not of the level of the Shelter it is really special.
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I don't know if it is a match for your arm but, if it is, a modified Denon dl 103 is inexpensive and can compete with much more expensive cartridges.
I've done them with ebony bodies and naked with a 3mm carbon fiber top plate. Potting them with epoxy is also a nice next level mod, too. My favorite was a naked, carbon fiber top plate and potted.
I sold it because a fellow audio nut wanted it. I'll make another one for myself but he is one lucky dog.
If you are crafty, have a good eye and a steady hand you can get yourself a screaming deal.
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oops--I almost forgot...
Roksan Radius 5 turntable and Nima unipivot arm. |
