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Micro Seiki BL91

I have a BL 91 with a MA505 (I think MKII) arm and wanted to get some cartridge recommendations.
I have a Leben CS-600 integrated and an Antique Sound Labs Phono Lux DT phono pre-amp. One day I was thinking of upgrading(?) to a Fi Yph or the Leben phono pre-amp. But that is down the road. And, I listen mostly through headphones, Ultrasone 780's. Proac Tablette 2000's for speakers.
It has been suggested in some quarters that the Dynavector 20XH would work nicely. I've been wondering about the Sumiko Evo III and the Ortofon Black too. Or maybe a step-up and a Shelter 301 or 501 MKII....
Thoughts or suggestion kindly appreciated.
I listen to all kinds of music but mostly jazz and rock and opera and French chanson and country and punk and blues and Dylan.....
128x128oldsalt
siniy123
166 posts
 
it took me 6 month to get excellent sound from MA-505 II tonearm.
I think that main culprit was the headshell. Not the original Micro Seiki, not Technics and Sumiko 12gr worked fine. Until I found the Audio Technica 12 gr headshell from 80s (current closest product is Audio Technica AT-LH13/OCC). With this headshell Signet TK10ML II gives robust, complete sound with great soundstage and resolution.
royj's avatar
royj
151 posts
 
Have a look at the latest cartridges from Soundsmith (www.sound-smith.com). They work wonderfully in my BL-91/MA-500II and seem more musical, more fluid in their dynamics than most other cartridges I have used. Also, they are extremely quiet in the groove, and have proper tone balance.

Best regards,
Roy Johnson
Designer
Green Mountain Audio
oldsalt's avatar
oldsalt OP
17 posts
 
I'd been wondering about the Soundsmith cartridges. A local dealer recently started offering them and now an owner of a BL-91 suggests them. Must be a sign. I'm not familiar with the MA500II though. Is it similar to the MA505II? Thanks for the tip Roy. And do you suggest a certain model?
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