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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. 

tablejockey
tablejockey OP
3,874 posts
 
stereo5-

Thanks  for the suggestion. I had a Sumiko Blackbird repaired by SS year ago.
I forgot SS isn't the only game in town.

I'm really hoping my ART 9 is salvageable. I'm done with $1K+ carts for awhile.
They sound wonderful, but as mentioned earlier, my system is finally at a point it will  allow an inexpensive cart to shine.

boxer12-it's internal. The stylus is fine. It was a one time, sale final kinda thing.
Its a shame, I REALLY enjoyed it. A nice slice of what the fuss is all about.
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
Does anyone know what ZU does to modify the Denon cartridges they offer?
jond's avatar
jond
5,761 posts
 
Zu puts a new body made of machined aluminum on the Denon in place of the original plastic body.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Ortofon OM5. 

If you like Ortofon try the M20 FL SUPER that was one of the cheapest among cartridges of the month in MM thread on a'gon years ago. I don't have a cartridge anymore, a friend is happy with it, but i still have NOS nude Fine Line stylus for it. Cartridge generator without stylus is cheap.

Another killer option for you could be Stanton and Pickering cartridges like 881s mkII or XSV3000 , both with nude Stereohedron diamonds like this.  

Don't know what's your limit to call it cheap, normally under $350 is cheap for a decent MM. Glanz moving flux cartridges often on ebay for under $450 (the best of them is 610LX). But if you're in the States then definitely look for Stanton 881 or 981 (or Pickering XSV3000 or higher). 

P.S. When you retip the ART-9 with SS it is no longer ART-9. 
He could upgrade Denon 103 with his best diamonds and/or cantilever, but the ART-9 is not the case. 



tablejockey OP
3,874 posts
 
I’m happy to report the Soundsmith Otello is performing as expected.

I have the current, new body design. Definitely nicer looking than the previous model. Looks like a pricier cart.

Just a few album sides in, and minimal fuss, easily heard improvement over the $50 Orto. Very easy setup.

This review was helpful, and my findings are similar.
https://www.eliteaudiouk.com/single-post/2018/02/26/SoundSmith-Otello-Review-in-HiFi-Choice

I was able to compensate for the reported weak bass, with a little tube swapping in the main amp. Mids are quite nice, highs are more controlled, more convincing.

The performance gap is noticeably smaller comparing the Orto, and my personal "reference" I’m hoping for a little more improvement as it settles in, and maybe a week or so, I will revisit adjustments.

I think I like the presentation more than the similar priced AT OC9II which I think is also nice for the price. Very relaxed, but not sloppy as the Orto can be.

By all accounts, the Otello will hold my attention until I’m ready to pony up to the bar again.

As always YMMV.
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