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?
Edgeware, I agree with your and Raul’s laissez faire attitude toward tonearm matching, but your logic above is faulty. If one wants to conform to the resonant frequency calculation then one must use a very lightweight tonearm, owing to the relatively high mass of the cartridge body and its high compliance. The high mass of the cartridge is a potential detriment to using even a medium to high mass tonearm. Don’t you think? Where have I gone wrong here? |
Lewm, what you say makes perfect sense and I don’t think you have gone wrong. On that theoretically sound basis the MC200 should not work properly in a high mass tonearm, let alone an FR64S. And yet it absolutely does, as it also does in the FR64FX, Audiocraft AC4400 and Pioneer EA-70 (tonearm of the PL70L II) none of which would qualify as lightweight tonearms. So what seems logical in theory works out very differently in practice. My perhaps faulty suspicion (not logic) is that Ortofon must have been aware of this behaviour. Or else why would they decide in favour of the akward combination of high body mass and very high compliance for their statement cartridge? I did my homework prior to purchase and considered the risk of a tonearm mismatch, but my curiosity to hear the MC2000 was simply too strong. To my surprise and delight it has worked splendidly. |
Dear @neonknight : On other thread you started and talking about those Ortofon vintage cartridges you posted: " Perhaps there are limitations in my gear that homogenize the sound. "" "" To be honest this is a casual cartridge, so I don't want to spend multiple thousands on a SUT for a cartridge that cost me $900. ""
I posted and asked there something that you decided not give an answer. Look; and you started this thread to discuss what when already existed the other thread?. Makes no sense to me but it's up to you.
R. |
Dear @lewm : " 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 can't know the @edgewear opinion but the MC2000 " undress " any room/system, same as the Essential 3150/60.
In neither of those SS active high gain phonolinepreamps the MC2000 sounds " anemic ". I think that you have some trouble in your room/system. Where? I can't know but your post showed a trouble down there. Your comparison with the cartridge in the MM+"headamp"(?) is a bad one because you are comparing apples with tomatoes. Way different.
As I said, you have a problem where you are not aware of it yet. Think of all what is hidding behind that Manley Steelhead ( obviously by tubes. ) plus additional IC cables/connectors plus that " headamp " against the straigth Essential unit that additional has a way more accurated inverse RIAA eq. that your Manley.
Anyway, several differences down there.
R. |
