standard Lundahl's are available with 32db...
Looking For A Dialogue Around Using An Ortofon MC2000 In My Current System
As a bit of history, I used to work in a stereo store part time as a college student. This store was an Ortofon dealer and the owner was a fan of the MC2000, and we typically had one in the store. I was too poor to afford it, but it was always on my want list. Last week I came across an MC2000 on an audio site and bought it. This one is as close to a time capsule as we can get for vintage MC cartridges. While not NOS its in perfect shape with Ortofon outer box, Styrofoam, intter box, all the tools, the graphs, two stylus guards, and even an Ortofon stick pin I presume for you to wear to audio shows to signify you are an MC2000 owner. The stock and irreplaceable cantilever is there and its straight, and rides high. Of course the unknown is diamond wear, and so I am planning to send it out for evaluation and consideration for diamond replacement.
Now the question becomes how to use it. First comes a suitable arm. I have two Dynavector DV505 for a Scheu Das Laufwerk No2 turntable that I can use, and also a Supex SL4 headshell that weighs 5.5 grams or so. I have the stock headshell that comes with the MC2000, but that looks to weigh 10 grams, and this cartridge is highly compliant. I also have a SME V that is spec'd between 10 and 11 grams. I almost consider the SME to be the best match for this application, but then that regulated the number of hours I might use that table as the MC2000 isn't going to be a daily driver cartridge.
Next question is how to get enough gain for it. The owner apparently has the T2000, but is unwilling to part with it at this time. So ideally I would like to find a T2000. I also have an MC3000, and so need the step up for it, and I happen to also have a MC200u. My Esoteric E-03 has 40 db of gain on MM mode, and I have a Graham Slee Accession that is 41.5 dB of gain. The Esoteric is 66 dB in MC mode. So until I locate a T2000 I wondered what options I have. Jensen makes a high output SUT that is 31 dB of gain and seems to be the best choice. I do not see any active pre-pre amps that can do the job. Any thoughts here?
As a crazy thought, the Accession has a direct mode that bypasses all RIAA equalization, so its really a pre pre amp then. But placing the Esoteric ahead of it means you are looking at a gain structure of over 80 dB. Probably not a good idea, but I wonder if it could work. Just brainstorming here. Of course the perfect solution is to find a T2000, or even in a pinch a T3000 for the interim till I do locate a T2000. Problem is these SUT have collectors value and they seem to go for silly money these days. But that is what it is, and you have to pay the piper.
So any thoughts on the best way to get this MC2000 integrated into the system?
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Neon, Several points. (1) Jensen are pros. They understand transformers and how to build them. If you have any misgivings about shielding, ask them. I doubt you would have a problem. Same goes for Dave Slagle (Intact Audio). (2) The REASON that Gordon Holt suggested using a tonearm with 5g effective mass, if that were possible, with the MC2000 is BECAUSE of its 11g weight. In other words, if you add 5g to 11g, for an effective mass of 16g, the calculated resonant frequency probably falls into a range Holt found to be acceptable. (I haven't done a calculation, but I assume Mr Holt knew what he was talking about.) The very light tonearm is advisable because the cartridge has both high compliance and high mass in and of itself. But I don't think even GH used such a light tonearm when he auditioned the MC2000 and subsequently declared it to be the best sounding cartridge he had ever heard up to that point. (3) I would have to disagree with you on the idea that there are no active gain devices that are quiet enough to work with the MC2000, in conjunction with an MM phono stage. I am in fact using one that Intact Audio built for me; it's dead silent. I have two other high gain phono stages that are certainly quiet enough, but they don't have quite enough gain to make me happy. The MC2000 sounds a bit anemic with those two. I do not own a SUT; nor have I ever owned one. |
@lewm I would love to hear more about your Slagle head amp |
Dave knows more about it than I. It’s solid state with an external power supply. I just plugged it in between the MC2000 and my Manley Steelhead MM inputs with gain set at either 50 or 55 db. There was an attempt at current drive but the input Z, while low, is not quite low enough for true current drive owing to the very low internal resistance of the MC2000. Nevertheless plenty of gain. Since dave designed and built it, I assume there may be a transformer in their somewhere. |
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