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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
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Cleeds, I was joking. That cartridge costs $20,000.00 therefor it must be the best cartridge made right?:) I doubt I'll ever get close to one. Go to his sight and read the specs. If I told you you wouldn't believe me. 
I think Mike Lavigne has a Jan Allaerts cartridge. Not sure which one. 
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear @mijostyn : he did not but I do. Here you can read the M.Fremer review with the Allaerts cartridge I lended to him for that review:

https://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/507allaerts/index.html

and guess what? here is mounted in my SME IV and in " nude body " fashion did it by my self:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3080#&gid=1&pid=6

now I own the F1 as you can read in my system information.

R.
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Btw, @mijostyn : that guess what? came because the Allaerts was mounted in the SME series models that you and your expert tonearm friend degraded in the tonearm/other thread.

Here from my virtual system: https://ucarecdn.audiogon.com/82eb629a-abc2-4fab-881a-7dcd95a12dbc/-/autorotate/yes/

There were mounted: the Colibri, Koetsu RSP, Ortofon MC 7500 and the Allaerts in great tonearms,.

R.
tyray
674 posts
 
@rauliruegas,

Oh my gosh, those are some turntable setups!
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3080#&gid=1&pid=6

Do you use any vacuum tube gear in your system?

Now I'm beginning to understand why you are so passionate about anything to do with turntables...

Are you an expert in all things turntable? I don't know, but you're pretty darn close.


tyray
674 posts
 
https://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/507allaerts/index.html

As an added bonus, If you scroll down at the end of this link Raul provide, there is a collection of cartridge links/reviews of reasonably priced now vintage cartridges.

Thanks again Raul
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