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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
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rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Dear @luisma31 : well " angry " was my thougth not that you told me, sorry for this.

R.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,880 posts
 
@tyray. You wrote this in your post:" I have a question for you. And this is not for arguments sake. I’m just curious.

When a blank piece of vinyl is cut at the factory, in your opinion which is more important. The cartridge/stylus making the grooves or the tone arm?"

Given your last post to me it is clear that what I suspected was true. You had no intention of being non argumentative and that post was ’BS’, the exact opposite was correct given your follow up post. Additionally, as Ralph pointed out to you it is a lacquer that is cut at the factory not a ’blank piece of vinyl’. You didn’t like my reply, and now you think you can come here and try and belittle my question to you...which still stands...how is your question relevant?
I have a great suggestion to you in the meantime, please put me on your ignore list, as I am doing for you. Have a nice day.
panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
542 posts
 
With your rig, I would stay away from anything with a Shibata or microline stylus.  They require spot on alignment and longer (lower tracking error) arms.  The Hana 'E' (for elliptical) H (High Output) is a screaming deal.  Forgiving stylus profile, high output eliminates MC preamp or transformer and additional cable complexity. At $475, you still get the MC goodness and detail that, as good as they are, an Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black can't quite deliver. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
A proper alignment required for all cartridges and tonearms, this fact is not the reason to buy an inferior MC or MM with Conical or Elliptical profiles with very short life span, just because some think that they are easier in adjustment/alignment. Even if the cost for such cartridge is cheaper the re-tip will cost extra and it an elliptical tip can't be used for longed than 600hrs max. 

It is very easy to setup a cartridge with advanced profile if a tonearm is not junk, the alignment process is the same as with elliptical. Personally i have never noticed any difference in alignment of any profile (i tried many). I just don't understand all that hype about Hana cartridges made by Excel Sound for low price. 

A difficulties in alignment advanced stylus profile is a myth. 
The real problem is MC cartridge re-tipping! 
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