MC Cartridge: Elliptical; around 0.5mv; track 1.25-1.75; Affordable
A SUT is nothing but a transformer. As such it is liable to faults associated with transformers used at the interface between any two stages. Most commonly an effect upon bass and extreme treble response in the form of attenuation or loss of detail. There’s no free lunch. Do some reading. The Denon transformers are “good”, but are the specs correct for your cartridge and your phono stage? |
HOMC To save cost of pre-preamp, and extra unit in system, I hopped around looking at HOMC. Perhaps havs VAS change tip of a used one. I generally found, the channel separation is lessened in HOMC, with a few exceptions. i.e. this Dynavector DV-20a type 2, 3.6mv, sep only 20db https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dynavector-Systems-Ltd-DV-20A-Type-2-high-output-Moving-Coil-MC-Cartridge-tested/303342229103 The Hana SH, shibata/alum 2.0mv, sep 28db seems like the highest sep in my budget. A SUT would get that up to go into mx110z phono eq https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hana-SH-High-Output-Moving-Coil-MC-Shibata-Phono-Cartridge-Authorized-Dealer/264679147741 I found the cool looking Sony XL-MC series, they have high sep 30db, tight bal 1.5db, https://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-Altmark-Moving-Coil-Cartridge-XL-MC1/254641741592 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-XL-MC-3-Cartridge-With-FR-Headshell-In-Excellent-Condition/333437737354 https://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-XL-MC3-MC-Cartridge/254246960065 this rare xl-mc7, shibata/boron went for $995. incl fees and del from Japan http://yahoo.aleado.com/lot?auctionID=t735366377#enlargeimg ................................ 1. any comments about HOMC separation 2. any comments about Sony XL-MC series? |
chackster, everyone thanks chackster for your help, now that I have upped my budget, the Audio-Technica AT-ART2000MC is a choice this one, seller says suspension is 'tight' https://www.ukaudiomart.com/details/649382460-audiotechnica-atart2000mc-cartridge-in-perfect-working-order/ is dried out suspension an issue for old cartridges/ advice? |
Elliot, Basically this thread consists of you naming products you saw on the internet after suggestions were made by Chakster and others, with not much comment about whether you really want to buy it or can afford it or fit it into your system. That is what I meant when I wrote, "Is this a question?" My post came right after you posted a URL for a Jeff Rowland phono stage that your friend was going to give to you on longterm loan. If that happened, what more do you need? If you were to take possession of the Rowland, you would not be needing any SUT OR a pre-preamp. So what is all this about? "Channel separation" and "channel balance" are not a way to judge whether you will like the sound of a stereo cartridge. And my general advice to you is not to buy a "vintage" phono cartridge, because aging, even in the box, does affect cartridge suspensions. Chakster is a very experienced collector; he knows what he is doing and can get away with buying old cartridges. I've done it too. But I have also been "stiffed" once or twice. I don't think you want to start out with a major disappointment. My opinion is that HOMC cartridges are usually inferior to LOMC cartridges, MM cartridges, and MI cartridges. HOMC is at the bottom of my totem pole. But that is merely my opinion. You need a phono stage, preferably one that has both MC (high gain) and MM (low gain) phono inputs, so you can play around with cartridges of different types until you find out what you like in your system. Or of course you can use an MM stage plus or minus a SUT, to the same end. |
thanks @lewm As I emailed to Elliott I wouldn't buy from the sellers with lower than 99% feedback score on ebay, especially if they can't even provide a high resolution image of the stylus tip. Also I wouldn't buy a used cartridge with stiff suspension. Wait for a perfect sample or just don't buy it. I remember i sold my ART2000 for about $650 but it was like new in the box with documents in mint condition, lightly used. I sold it after I bought something else (more expensive). I bought NOS Dynavector 23RS (MicroReach) in the box from ebay for about $450. Used cartridge must be perfect or it's not worth the money. |
