Call Andy at the Needle Clinic. He replaced a cantilever and stylus on my ZU DL103 cartridge for half the price of what Soundsmith wanted. He also returned within a week. I am one extremely satisfied customer.
Cheap cart confession
I'm in the forced audio gear buy mode, since my $2500 retail cart isn't being honored by warranty. No emergency decent cart to use. I was able to purchase it as a "once on a lifetime" dealer buy.
Meanwhile, just for kicks...
Ortofon OM5. It's been in a drawer for years. $50 plasticky,throw away replacing a $2500 machined aluminum body cartridge that came in an equally attractive, nice smelling wooden box. My table setup/phono pre was $6-7Kish when new?
I'm being reminded by what I hear. If everything AFTER the cart is in reasonable order(synergy?) even a throw away cart will play the magic! It may be veiled,a little mushy and such, but I can still enjoy it more than my CD deck thru a R2R DAC. It's very clean and precise, but it doesn't have the unexplainable, hold my attention for long quality.
Because my disposable play money is divided into a few thing outside of audio crap, I'm going backward with the next cartridge. I just can't wait and save for something substantial. Thank goodness my ears/brain can accept the horror!
I purchased an already marked down+ additional discount low end model that I think will perform great(for the price)
Under $400 Nirvana! Should have it on the table by mid week.
Meanwhile, just for kicks...
Ortofon OM5. It's been in a drawer for years. $50 plasticky,throw away replacing a $2500 machined aluminum body cartridge that came in an equally attractive, nice smelling wooden box. My table setup/phono pre was $6-7Kish when new?
I'm being reminded by what I hear. If everything AFTER the cart is in reasonable order(synergy?) even a throw away cart will play the magic! It may be veiled,a little mushy and such, but I can still enjoy it more than my CD deck thru a R2R DAC. It's very clean and precise, but it doesn't have the unexplainable, hold my attention for long quality.
Because my disposable play money is divided into a few thing outside of audio crap, I'm going backward with the next cartridge. I just can't wait and save for something substantial. Thank goodness my ears/brain can accept the horror!
I purchased an already marked down+ additional discount low end model that I think will perform great(for the price)
Under $400 Nirvana! Should have it on the table by mid week.
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- 17 posts total
- 17 posts total