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Four MC Phono Cartridges

I am going to upgrade the cartridge on my Technics SL1200G turntable. The turntable is connected to my Mac C2500 Tube Preamp. The Mac preamp had both mm and mc and I can change the mc cartridge loading on the fly via remote and also adjust gain. Presently I am using my ZU Denon DL103 cartridge. I am tired of the sound as I have owned this cartridge for 11 years.

I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Dynavector DV20X2L. Low output MC. I had the previous itineration of
this on a VPI Scout and loved it.
Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL. Low output MC
Audio Technica. AT-ART9XA. Low output MC
Audio Technica. AT-ART9XI. Low output MC


I do not know the difference between the ART9XA and the ART9XI, can someone enlighten me on it? Would going from my ZU Denon to the OC9 XSL be a sideway move or a good one? Or, would one of the ART9 cartridges be better? Please explain why.

I am only interested in these 4 cartridges, no others. I have been researching for a year. Still don’t know which ones are compatible with the Magnesium arm on the Technics. Lastly, my phono preamp works with low output MC down to .1 mv.
128x128stereo5
tablejockey
3,921 posts
 
Clearly a low budget setup, but you can hear the difference in presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QA1jw5Pj7Y
XA should present itself with a more "refined" overall tone. Subjective, naturally.
1st gen ART 9 user here.

Both are good choices for an idea of what the high dollar carts do.
I'd love to have a setup worthy of the ART1000.
dover
2,250 posts
 
@stereo5

I think you would be better off with the Dynavector DV20X2L.
The Technics 1200G is a dry sounding deck and the ART9’s, particulalrly with the Shibata tip, can be a bit brittle sounding.
The Dynavector is slightly higher compliance which will work well with the Technics arm, has a microridge stylus profile which is excellent for detail retrieval without any brittleness. very smooth.
Given that you have had the Dynavector before, loved it, and Dynavector tends to constantly improve their products, its a no brainer.
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
Another MC you could consider to look at is a SKYANALOG MC.
There are reports from sources that I trust on this Companies Cartridges that suggest they are well suited to compete with $2500+ Cartridges.

As the Company is also an OEM who produce for other Brands, there are Cartridges already in the mainstream from this producer.  
jmolsberg's avatar
jmolsberg
467 posts
 
Dynavector DV20X2L, smooth, durable, and long-lasting 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,528 posts
 
from your list, I would go for the ATart9xi

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/at-art9xi

because it has both very tight channel balance of 0.5 db, and excellent channel separation of 30 db as well as a boron cantilever (the stiffest I will go), and a higher signal output

The tighter the channel balance, the tighter the phantom images that create imaging anywhere between the l/r speakers are, improved distinctness.

wide separation is also a nice way to get more distinction, great imaging for the majority of content.

Sometimes, for too wide (i.e. Bill Evans Live at the Village Vanguard which has a huge hole in the middle)

I use my alternate mc with only 25 db separation (still has tight channel balance)

and/or alter my toe-in to toe-in X, which lets me use my ’too-wide’ cartridge on a non-removable arm.

left speaker aimed toward right listener/right speaker aimed at left listener. you are nearer one speaker, but getting more direct projection from the opposite side. 2 off-center listeners get a stereo image, center and both sides, not too wide.

btw, I went with AT33PTG/II and love it.
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