2. vintage
  3. 183082-180814

Looking for cartridge recommendations

I have a Yamaha P450 turntable that I've had since I bought it new in the 80s. I'm running it through a Pioneer SX-850 and can't seem to find any information about the built-in phono stages.

The turntable currently has a Grado FC+ cartridge on it and I would like to upgrade, but have no idea what I should be looking for. For example should I be looking for a magnetic moving or coil cartridge?

I've been looking at the Ortofon Blue, and similar positioned cartridges in the Sumiko and Nagaoka lines.

I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks.

rburgett
rburgett OP
5 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr all great information. Thank you the links to the stylus shape informational videos.

rburgett OP
5 posts
 

@holmz Thank you for the links. I'll definitely read those articles a little later tonight.

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,658 posts
 

Here are spec's for the 850's phono stage (it's for higher output cartridges)...

Input sensitivity: 6.5mV (mic), 2.5mV (MM)

The "mic" spec is for Phono 2 (2.5mV = Phono 1).

 

DeKay

rburgett OP
5 posts
 

Thank you dekay. And thanks for explaining it. So short of getting an external phone preamp, it’s moving magnet cartridges??

I’m afraid I have no idea what those specs mean.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I shoved in a Garrott Bros p77i a year and a bit ago, and it was pretty good.
It is a high output cart. (~$500 USD and I find it seems good.)

Then I got a phono stage which can do moving coil.

You will other need a SUT or to go with something like a SoundSmith Zephyr mk III.
Or some other contact line or shibata stylus.
A SUT allows you to run a MC cartridge with a MM type of phono gain.

I would suggest for budget that you just get a high output cart.
Depending upon where you are there should be a shop that has the usual suspects that you can listen to.

More to discover