I've gotten some great information on the various shapes of styli (
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/stylus-shape) and their pros and cons. Now I wish to build upon that information.
My current setup: Linn LP12 with a Rabco
SL-8E tonearm, Denon DL103R cartridge. I also use a CJ Premier 6 pre-preamp in front of an ARC SP11 Mk2.
It's come to my attention that the Denon should really be living in a heavier mass tonearm to be getting the best of it. Along with lack of compliance and the stylus shape, it's likely not the best of candidates as far as a cartridge goes. It doesn't sound bad. I think it could sound better...
I'm interested in perhaps one of the highly thought of Hana E series MC cartridges which are at a similar price point. (Dratted budgetary concerns anyways!) So now I'm curious about the pros and cons of high vs. low output MC cartridges. For comparison, the output specs are:
Hana EH is: 2mV/1kHz
Hana EL is:
0.5mv/1kHz
Denon is: 0.25mV/1kHz
I've tried the Denon directly into the SP11 but despite the prodigious gain available, the sound was quite "thin" even with both the gain and level turned up. With the CJ6 in the mix it's much fuller and of course, much louder. The options I'm considering are:
1) Hana EL and keep the CJ6 in the system
2) Hana EH and go directly into the SP11
I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of High vs. Low output MC cartridges.
Thank you in advance.
