2. analog
  3. 191646-118844

Time for a new cartridge

My current cartridge which is a Van Den Hul DDTII Special MC is starting to lose it's zing. Details are not as sharp as they were and overall I think I'd like something fresh. My tt is a VPI Prime with the 10" JMW Memorial tonearm. My phono stage is a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Vinyl. My amp is a McIntosh MA8950 integrated. My speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona M. I have 2 KEF R400B subs, which I think compliment the Cremona's. I've emailed VDH and they said they would do a re tip and get it back to where it was, but I'm thinking maybe it's time for a different sound. With the info I've provided I'd like some alternatives. My budget is around $2500.

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njcardave's avatar
njcardave
53 posts
 

Listen to Dr.Vinyl and give DS Audio an audition. I own a DS Audio entry level DS1 on my vintage Kenwood KD-650. Superb.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,825 posts
 

I have heard the DS Audio Grand Master on a very expensive system on a few occasions and have not been impressed.

On the first occasion the Grandmaster was immediately followed in use by a New Design rebuilt Cart' with very little hours of usage.

I and some of the attendees were quick to point out their impression with the rebuilt Cart'. After the demo', some attendees were giving a private personal appraisal where the rebuilt Cart' was being referred to as excellent and much better than the Grandmaster.

I was also instrumental in the encouraging the owner of the Grandmaster, to be  buying into a New Design of Generator for it, which I never got to listen to as of yet.

   

sokogear
1,094 posts
 

I've had the vdH MC ONE Special for 13+ years (replaced it with identical at the beginning of the pandemic because refurbing wasn't practical) and think it is a great value and sounds very musical - dynamic, detailed, but not at all harsh. Stylus lasts extremely long due to its shape which is a big plus. VPI is the distributor and also sells them direct.

Can listen for hours without any fatigue. Not familiar with the DDII special, but I assume it is an older entry level cartridge.

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