I also bought an MP-500 to spare my London Decca Reference, as at the time, it was unclear whether anyone would take over John Wright's business. I ended up buying a second turntable, then adding a second tonearm to each, as many of the candidates I tried were worth keeping in rotation. Having just re-installed the NuVista Vinyl, I'm finding that the Sussurro has become my daily driver as it sounds so good with it.
Vinyl Lovers-- Cartridges!!!! Do you have a daily driver?
About a decade ago, some kind soul told me that the phono preamp was ever so important and that I could keep spending here and there, but to get to Oz I'd need a good one. Since that time I've had a Manley Chinook and now Modwright's reference phono stage.
These pieces have allowed me to get deeper into vinyl. I have a lovely LTA Aero DAC (tubes and R2R), which I adore. Yet, nothing is the same as vinyl. Ok--maybe my reel-to-reel stuff but I only have about a half dozen albums.
At any rate, here's my dilemma. I'm finding cartridges just don't hold up that long. I keep a clean shop and my records are in very clean shape. I do not, however, have a laboratory clean room here. I run VTA generally at the middle of the spec. Still, cartridges are easy to run through--or so it seems to my ear.
I've had mixed results retipping moving coils. Sometimes it's fabulous!
I think I'm getting a little tired for buying cartridges only to wear them out. I've run through a Benz Micro LPS, Kiseki Purpleheart, Dynavector 20x something, Audio-Technica ART9, Ortofon 2M black, and a few others I cannot recall. The initial outlay doesn't bother me. What's getting me is they just seem to fade off. I doubt I'm getting more than 1000 hours before they sound raggedy. Yet, I've never counted.
I've noticed with a high quality phono preamp you can use a lower priced cartridge to amazing results. So, I just scooped up an $800 Nagaoka MP-500, hoping I could use it as a daily driver to spare my Goldring Ethos (fantastic cart by the way). I don't have the Nag yet to evaluate.
What are others doing? If you're someone who plows through lots of vinyl in their listening sessions, do you just pony up ever year for a new $2k, $5k cartridge? Do you run lower priced, value carts?
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Among the data for cartridge life span that are bandied about with no supporting evidence, 1000 hours seems pretty good. Usually it’s a subjective judgement unless you are using a microscope for visual evidence of wear. You will like the MP500, and the stylus is replaceable in the comfort of your own home. Other than that, maybe you can develop another hobby or force yourself to listen to your other sources more often to reduce the rate of cartridge decline. Cars and photography are fun. |
If you liked the ART9, I'd look at this: Audio-Technica AT-ART7 cartridge It's the 1st gen, $500 less than latest. Subjectively, maybe more refined sound quality. Air core construction as some big buck $$ carts. Presently satisfied with my backup Soundsmith Otello that I purchased when they were $399. Now $599-still a good deal for what you'll be hearing IMO. If you comfortable buying used you can find 1st gen ART9 for less than 1/2. Used Soundsmith whatever will be a good buy since you can send them back to SS for nominal cost. |
Stylast is used before play of each side at my house. A very light brush or two is all it takes. It extends the life of a stylus by at least 50% when used as directed. Another mitigating factor for me is that in my main system there are two TTs, mono and stereo. You might also consider SoundSmith because their retipping service is very cost effective. VAS is good too. Finally, as you have experienced already with your Ortofon 2M, there is nothing wrong with the better MM cartridges on the market. Audio Technica has some good ones too. |
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