Yes max out your budget in the Nakagoka line, great sound
Cartridge suggestions
Hi. Helping a friend find a new cartridge for his Pro-ject TT. He has a 2Experience with 9" EVO carbon arm. Listens to mostly jazz/acoustic music. Phono stage is an EAR834P clone. Speakers are Spendor BC1's. Ideally a neutral and articulate cartridge as if anything too laid back might end up making the whole system a bit too mushy. As the phono stage only has MM capabilities, LO MC cartridge isn't an option. So, HO MC, or MM/MI options please. Looking to keep this under 500 and used isn't really an option. Thanks!
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cleeds2,765 posts03-07-2020 12:07pm "It sounds like you’re playing dirty records I wouldn’t use a phono cartridge that relied on a brush. but if I did, I’d measure its effect with a proper VTF scale." How do you clean your LP's? How do you clean your Stylus? Look into a sunbeam, as many dust particles as there are stars. Perfectly clean new or used LP, dust lands during play. BENEFITS, not relies on the brush. The advance team, like a curling broom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling#Curling_broom It can be left up as I mentioned. Guesswork with Jico Brush? I get it right, however Shure gives guidance/specifics, based on their expertise, Jico does not. I do measure TF with a digital scale, with brush up and brush down, however, during play, what dynamics involved? I set TF and anti-skate with test records, lp with no grooves, ear, specific 3 channel sources, I get it right. I've been using Shure cartridges with brushes since 1970, and was darn happy to find that Jico makes replacement stylus with their version of a brush. The Stanton Chackster mentioned, and other Stantons, Pickerings, .... have brushes, can be down in use, or up as desired. |
The Hana EH would be an excellent candidate. It is about $475 and is the high output version of the Hana EL. It is a high output moving coil. I have the Hana EL and in my opinion it is the best 500 dollar or under cartridge available. A second choice would be the Sumiko Blue Point No 2. It is @ $440. It too is a high output moving coil cartridge and is a close second to the above Hana. Lastly, for a moving magnet choice at only $299, is the Sumiko Moonstone cartridge, as reviewed by Analog Planet's Michael Fremer. Probably one the best under 500 moving magnets available. If you want to go cheap, I have to suggest the Ortofon super OM 10. It is simply a wonderful moving magnet cartridge for the money and is easily upgradeable to the OM 20, 30, 40....by swapping out the stylus....super OM 10 can be had for a measly 75 bucks on Ebay. |
I have the Hana EL, and I agree that it is the new Denon 103 and better. Go for a Hana EH, there should not be a very big difference in performance to the EL. Or get a SUT so you can have the EL. If your friend changes his mind and would consider a vintage MM... I have the Technics EPC-205C MKIII with the original stylus and a JICO SAS. It is very good, and today you need to spend a lot to get the same performance. It is neutral. The EPC-100C is a step up. |
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