2. analog
  3. 159704-134087

Logical cartridge upgrade for a long time Shure M44-7 user

I've had a Technics SL-1200 MK3D turntable, with a Shure M44-7 cartridge forever.
I wanted to experience a different cartridge in my setup recently, and went for a NAGAOKA MP110. I took the time to set it up properly, and used it for 10 days for many hours a day. I couldn't believe how dark and quiet the NAGAOKA sounded, but more importantly it just wasn't extracting the details, especially in mid-highs. Vocals sounded veiled, muffled even. It wasn't a case of the cartridge sounding subtle or muted, it just couldn't reproduce some of the details I'm so familiar with M44-7.
For someone who enjoys the somewhat exaggerated top and low end of M44-7, (and again, I just perceive it to be much more detailed, because the cartridge seems to work so hard to get the most out of any record you put under it), what are some logical options for an upgraded sound? I wouldn't mind something more natural (I've had a GRADO GOLD, and that was OK), but I don't want to feel like I'm missing details just because I'm going for a rounder / warmer sound.

Rest of my system:
Sonus Faber Venere 2.5 speakers
Schiit Vidar Power amp
Schiit Saga+ Pre
A no-name custom built phono pre

Very interested to hear everyone's suggestions.
Abso
128x128absolutlahmi
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
When someone who use CONICAL stylus (with rolled-off bass and high frequencies) comparing it to MICRO LINE stylus claiming the last one is bright, you have to admit that this person prefer colored rolled-off sound. Reading other forums you have to take in count that users of the m44-7 are often djs with average phono preamps in their mixers. You have to understand who post what. Most of the forums are useless and posters know nothing avout what they are posting.

Follow manufacturers recommendations from the manual of any cartridge, Technics tonearm is fine for AT cartridges (or any mid compliance cartridges). I have a pair of SL1210mk2 for more than 25 years and tried over 60 cartridges on those decks (including some of the best MM ever made). Technics is not in my main system, but I test all cartridges on SL1210mk2 first (with the headphones).

Shure M44-7 and Shure Whitelabel are the worst sounding cartridges, even $110 Grado DJ200i (MI) based on Grado Black is superior, not to mention a proper hi-fi cartridges that 10 times better than Grado!
nickpish
11 posts
 
@chakster Thanks for the reply- to be clear, in referencing reviews/comments mentioning "brightness" in the VM540ML sound, these are not (as far as I know) unique to M44-7 users, but rather reflective of a recurring sentiment I encountered in a variety of sources. As with everything else, determining and/or relying upon the credibility of a given reviewer/pundit/self-described "audiophile" is a dubious exercise, so I typically go the route of reading as much as I can stomach, from as many seemingly reputable sources as possible, and noting any common trends or patterns of feedback. I don't doubt the overall quality of sound from a cartridge like the VM540ML is far superior to that of the M44-7 (just like the quality of a photo from a proper DSLR is vastly superior to that from a phone), but any "reviews" of such devices will always be riddled with the implicit bias/range of preferences inherent in a given individual (just as I will readily admit to having a bias towards a more bass-heavy or bass "colored" sound- or to having a preference for images from a Nikon over a Canon SLR :) (Yes, I work in photography, hence the analogy.)
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
It depends on your phono stage, tonearm and many other factors.
Some great MM can do as low as 5Hz up to 60kHz, it’s impossible without advanced profiles originally designed for Quadraphonic records (like Shibata). When a cartridge can do 10Hz (like this one) you don’t have to worry about bass at all, if you can’t get a proper bass from such cartridge then your phono stage is guilty, your tonearm, speakers and so on, but definitely NOT a cartridge. The main problem with cheap MM cartridges is rolled-off highs and this problem is much more serious than bass.

Pickering with Stereohedron stylus is superb at $300-400 range (NOS), read more here.


absolutlahmi's avatar
absolutlahmi OP
14 posts
 
@nickpish As you mentioned, it's nearly impossible to come to a universally accepted definition of descriptors, including 'brightness'. To me VM540ML sounds more detailed, with more information extracted especially in the high registers, and most importantly without distortion. 

As I mentioned in one of my previous post, I'm also skeptical of some of the descriptors where lack of detail, and a darker, dead-er sound is described as 'musical'. To me there is nothing 'musical' about lack of detail. In the same vain, there is nothing excessively 'bright' about the increased detail in the high registers, which I experienced with VM540ML. But then, that argument gets us back to atmasphere's point about whether you have access to master tape, and really know how something was meant to sound in the studio. And that's where I jump off the audiophile ship :)
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
well said @absolutlahmi 
More to discover