2. analog
  3. 191646-118844

Time for a new cartridge

My current cartridge which is a Van Den Hul DDTII Special MC is starting to lose it's zing. Details are not as sharp as they were and overall I think I'd like something fresh. My tt is a VPI Prime with the 10" JMW Memorial tonearm. My phono stage is a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Vinyl. My amp is a McIntosh MA8950 integrated. My speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona M. I have 2 KEF R400B subs, which I think compliment the Cremona's. I've emailed VDH and they said they would do a re tip and get it back to where it was, but I'm thinking maybe it's time for a different sound. With the info I've provided I'd like some alternatives. My budget is around $2500.

128x128chasda
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,093 posts
 

Dear @reimarc  :  Good to confirm and good that you are satisfied.

 

The ART 1000 is very good performer that I listened. I owned the Victor L1000 that's similar to the Neumann one and the Art and very good performer too.

R.

njcardave's avatar
njcardave
53 posts
 

Listen to Dr.Vinyl and give DS Audio an audition. I own a DS Audio entry level DS1 on my vintage Kenwood KD-650. Superb.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I have heard the DS Audio Grand Master on a very expensive system on a few occasions and have not been impressed.

On the first occasion the Grandmaster was immediately followed in use by a New Design rebuilt Cart' with very little hours of usage.

I and some of the attendees were quick to point out their impression with the rebuilt Cart'. After the demo', some attendees were giving a private personal appraisal where the rebuilt Cart' was being referred to as excellent and much better than the Grandmaster.

I was also instrumental in the encouraging the owner of the Grandmaster, to be  buying into a New Design of Generator for it, which I never got to listen to as of yet.

   

sokogear
1,097 posts
 

I've had the vdH MC ONE Special for 13+ years (replaced it with identical at the beginning of the pandemic because refurbing wasn't practical) and think it is a great value and sounds very musical - dynamic, detailed, but not at all harsh. Stylus lasts extremely long due to its shape which is a big plus. VPI is the distributor and also sells them direct.

Can listen for hours without any fatigue. Not familiar with the DDII special, but I assume it is an older entry level cartridge.

More to discover