Thanks Tom. I will read that.
Cartridge recommendations for second system turntable please
So I have been thinking of assembling my old gear, which I have never sold, into a second system. The turntable would be a Music Hall MMF-7. I need a new cartridge for it, as the original Goldring Eroica that came with it is very old and has a bent cantilever. The rest of the system would be: Project Speedbox, MF KW500 integrated amp, MF Tri-vista DAC, MF A3.2 CDP, Transparent Powerbank 8, all Transparent cabling, Carver Amazing Loudspeakers. I listen to a lot of jazz, as well as rock, vocals, "world music," classical, pop. Thanks in advance for the cartridge recommendations. Would especially love to hear actual user experiences.
- ...
- 16 posts total
Is there a price range for the cartridge? As stated, you'd need a high output cartridge, which could be anything (MM, moving iron, high output moving coil) with an output from 2.5 on up. For an overall great combination of inner detail and ambience, dynamics, linear response, and transparency, the Audio Technica AT150Sa (Shibata stylus) is really nice. I have one. It started 8 years ago as an AT150MLX, but AT has discontinued the microline stylus on a boron cantilever and now offers a replacement Shibata stylus on tapered aluminum pipe. I like it *at least* as much as the MLX, probably a little more as it has (I think) a little more delicate and smoother treble. Best price I know of offhand is $323.69 at LpGear. The Shelter 201 is also a great match for your musical tastes. It really excels at rock, pop, big band and small group acoustic jazz, and also classical. At $310 for the authorized US import, I think the AT150Sa is the better value. However, the same Shelter 201 from a reliable Far East vendor for $167-ish (I got mine from this very vendor) is an absolute no-brainer. There's something about it that puts a smile on my face every time. At half the price of the AT150Sa and $50-ish more than an M97xE, it's just crazy good, especially doing all the kinds of music you mentioned. |
Ok Do not put a DENON DL 103 on this turntable! not a good match. Go with a Dynavector 10X5 $650 high output MC or a Dynavector 20x2 $950 it comes in low .3mv or High 2.8mv. I would choose the high output one. Both of these are MC’s, I think MM’s are going to be too warm sounding for that table/tonearm. I use the 10" Project arm with the Dynavector 20x2 Low and my phono pre is very good, the sound is Huge and palpable very liquid and textured great detail and punch across the whole band with effortless extended highs. Make sure you get a NEW belt (very important) and pull the platter/ sub platter off and make sure it has oil. Getting the table on a good shelf and LEVEL will do wonders as well. Matt M |
- 16 posts total