2. analog
  3. 158826-70153

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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,942 posts
 
A gimbal set-up must always have some free-play in its bearings, otherwise the arm wand would be unable to move.
This statement is false. If a bearing in a gimbal system is over-tightened the arm can still move but a lot depends on the bearing. At some point if tightened too much the arm will get quite stiff, and likely also the bearing will be damaged. The latter issue is far more profound with jeweled bearings, which is why they often have some slop to prevent damage. If a metal bearing is hard enough, this issue is overcome. The SME5 is a good example of this as is the Triplanar and I suspect there are others- its a big world out there.

Regarding the tonearms I just don't understand what do you mean. Because I've been using Technics most of my life and never had a miss tracking or something (and Grado DJ200i was on it for a long time).
Yes- I can imagine this is true- a friend of mine has the EPA-100 and I've not heard it mistrack. But just because this is so does not mean that the cartridge is actually tracking its best. But the difference is both audible and measurable.
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Hi Raulruegas
Thank you for that.
Whatever knowledge I have has taken more than 70 years to acquire.

There is too much dogmatism here, as others have observed, but this is entirely understandable.  What we want to avoid is slagging one another off or alleging lack of knowledge in someone we have never met.  We can share knowledge and, indeed, opinions without that.

Sorry atmasphere, you are incorrect.  At least from a technical standpoint.  If it is not over-tightened then it is free to move.  If it is free to move then there must be an interference gap, however small, between the moving parts.  I don't think the hardness of the materials used has any bearing (ho ho) on the question.  As long as the surfaces are accurate and finely finished, their hardness will only affect the service life of the piece.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,942 posts
 
At least from a technical standpoint. If it is not over-tightened then it is free to move. If it is free to move then there must be an interference gap, however small, between the moving parts.
If so the runout can't be detected. I guess we'll just have to agree that we disagree on this point.
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Yes.  We disagree.
But I am starting a new trend here.  I am not going to say you have low level knowledge because of that.
tyray
675 posts
 

And stylus is user replaceable.

About the modern day Audio Technica carts, I was ready to plunk down the money for the Audio Technica AT-ART9 Moving Coil Cartridge until I read here on agon (again chakster) that the stylus was not replaceable!
Needless to say that was quite a shock to an old head hifi guy like myself.
More to discover