Cartridge Opinions - Sorry


Yeah, another dumb "what's your opinion on these cartridges" thread. Back in the late 80's we had dealers where you could listen to the stuff.

So anyhow I have a Linn LP12 with Ittok arm and a 30 year old Audioquest B200L cartridge. I'm running it through the phono stage of a Jeff Rowland Coherence One into a Spectral DMA90 through a set of Kef R300's.

I prefer a little more laid back sound (err on the side of forgiving instead of fatiguing) but I like a lot of upper end detail, precise soundstaging, air, etc.

So far I'm considering an Ortofon Quintet S Black, Hana SL or a Benz wood - something at or below the $1k level.

I'd love to hear any opinions, suggestions, and experiences with those cartridges or others in the price range. I could possibly go higher if there is something out there that really shines for less than $1,500.

Thanks.


klooker

tyray
1

somehow you got my post mixed up with @klooker.

No way am I parting with my Shure, OEM Stylus: I’m still mad at beryllium’s prevalence to shatter from a strong breeze, and there are some who prefer SAS shape to ML, I only have my long ago memory. New OEM Stylus will not improve the cartridge’s separation, my primary reason for preference of the new AT33PTG/II. Super Tracking is not an issue for me.

Shure is upstairs now, awaiting a contest with my AT440ml (OEM unworn ml stylus). TT: Vertical Linear Tracking Mitsubishi LT-5V. No anti-skate is involved, and Shure brush will not be used.

Downstairs, main system, I used the Shure with OEM stylus over the AT primarily due to Shure’s brush helping with my springy floors, especially prior location, not an issue now.

Specs give an indication, and side 2, tracks 2 and 3, 3 guitarists playing together/apart will be revealing.

https://www.discogs.com/Al-Di-Meola-John-McLaughlin-Paco-De-Lucia-Friday-Night-In-San-Francisco/master/68141

These tracks will help you make final anti-skate adjustments,

The greater separation is definitely revealed by those 2 tracks, then I move to other test tracks, Cassandra Wilson’s voice Blue Light Till Dawn, Richard Burton’s voice War of the Worlds, Barbra Streisand/Donna Summers duet Enough is Enough, full orchestra, Cello ...

My Office system is a perfect equilateral triangle, the differences should be apparent, the old AT specs also indicate greater separation and tighter channel balance than the Shure, Much higher signal output)

it’s hard to separate expected differences from ... but for imaging, various size Jazz trios, combos, mid, large bands, Imaging is a real asset for involvement, the key for enjoyment for me.

We have seen/heard the Hot Sardines live 3 times, and the new cartridge was splendid yesterday playing this double LP. Donna was present for the Joe’s Pub performance on one of the 2 LPs

https://www.discogs.com/The-Hot-Sardines-Welcome-Home-Bon-Voyage/release/13843636


Dear @luisma31 : As I already told you you just don't understand about and that's why you posted a wrong question because loading of a cartridge is not because its output level but because its internal electric characteristics and the phono stage ones.

It does not matters who whom addresses your question.  Your knowledge levels are extremely low.

I don't care if you are friend of him that does not changes your wrong question and your comment " all the rigth answers " where exist no answer in the post.

R.
@elliottbnewcombjr,

Thanks for the correction! I think it was a lack of sleep mistake.

I'd love to hear any opinions, suggestions, and experiences with those cartridges or others in the price range. I could possibly go higher if there is something out there that really shines for less than $1,500.
@Klooker,

chakster has on this site some very comprehensive lists of cartridges you may want to try to find for your review and should not be to hard to find in the Agon search. 
what would you consider as a high output cartridge? Anything over 3mV
2.5mV? Only because this is about the minimum that a phono section designed for MM cartridges will handle properly.

But the answer isn't simple. The lower the output of the cartridge, the lower its inductance. This will push the resonant peak created by the inductance and capacitance to a higher frequency *and* amplitude. I've noticed that the lower output cartridges won't ring at audio frequencies but the high output cartridges do (which is why they need to be loaded to sound right). Obviously there is an area where the cartridge would have a bit of of both characteristics. Take a look at this link, it is helpful at explaining what is going on:
http://www.hagtech.com/loading.html