Looking for cartridge recommendations
I have a Yamaha P450 turntable that I've had since I bought it new in the 80s. I'm running it through a Pioneer SX-850 and can't seem to find any information about the built-in phono stages.
The turntable currently has a Grado FC+ cartridge on it and I would like to upgrade, but have no idea what I should be looking for. For example should I be looking for a magnetic moving or coil cartridge?
I've been looking at the Ortofon Blue, and similar positioned cartridges in the Sumiko and Nagaoka lines.
I would really appreciate any help.
Thanks.
You probably want a moving magnetic or moving iron.
https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/how-choose-cartridge and then take ^those ideas^ to whatever brand you like. |
Ortofon 2m blue/red/silver are all elliptical stylus, the channel separation is not exceptional, decent channel balance. I recommend you choose an advanced stylus shape (shibata, microline, SAS, ...) https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information IMO, this is an excellent choice when moving up, microline, channel sep 28db; channel balance 1.0 db.
Aside from imaging, it sounds great, everyone I recommended it to is glad they bought it. Begin by checking the channel separation (higher is better), and center balance (lower is better). Those two relate to imaging. Then check what other’s say about that cartridge’s musical performance. ....................................... Next, look to upgrade your Turntable, and move that cartridge to it.
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Moving Coil I chose AT33PTG/II (low output, needs a Step Up Transformer or MC phono stage)
......................................... Aside from the cartridge’s guts, it’s about stylus shape and the stiffness of the cantilever, stiffer better, but progressively costs more. it’s mc technology, and boron shaft combine to provide channel sep 30db; channel balance 0.5db. I love it’s imaging ability as well as it’s sound. I’ve got 3 tonearms, several cartridges, and friends bring their cartridges here. Many great sounding cartridges, ........................ Closest to it so far is Jim’s ADCOM Crosscoil rebuilt by Steve at VAS with ? shaft/advanced stylus shape. (high output, can go into MM phono stage) ........................ This is tempting, buy it, have Steve juice it up https://reverb.com/item/44951529-adcom-crosscoil-xc-elliptical-cartridge-no-stylus-1552-good-used-condition I guessed my AT33PTG/II was worn, sent it to AT, yep, they have a trade-in program, sold me a new one at half price. . When you consider that, it lowers the cost over time. It’s hard not to keep exploring cartridges. I just bought a Sumiko Talisman with a sapphire shaft, gonna see if the stiffer cantilever can produce a better sound, especially bass. Best bass I ever had was from a Shure V15Vxmr with beryllium cantilever on my old Thorens TD 124. Look sideways at beryllium and it shatters! No longer made. OMG, it’s hard to stop exploring cartridges. |
