At least in theory, I like MMs for daily drivers, using a Grace F-14 with with the top Soundsmith stylus for the F-9, which is perfect for the F-14, too. I stocked up on these, so I don’t have to worry. I also have a Nagoaka MP50, predecessor to the MP500, set up on another headshell (but the Grace is better IMO). Despite these best intentions, I can’t stop using my MC Diamond on a different tonearm, a foolishly expensive daily habit!
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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The cost of advanced diamond cuts are just as expensive, if not more expensive on MM cartridges. The Ortofon 2M Black is $633 and the Lvb is $745 or higher. The Nagoaka JPN500 is much more reasonable, about $250 to $300. I use Expert Stylus or Allclear Audio for my retips of moving coil, and as long as the cantilever is not damaged the cost is approximately $350. Some cartridges are a bit more if the cleaning and adjustment is more involved. I would sooner have a small collection of moving coils I can play and send out for service. User replacement stylus is not a big advantage to me. |
My Hana SH is just fine for me, If I wear it out, I'll probably get the new Mark 2. They are simply that good. If I wanted a real everyday utility cart I'd probably go with an Ortofon 2M Blue. Under $200, no real bad habits, and if a guest or a kid or a pet trashes it, no big deal. I'd try a Grado, but they hum like a sumbitch in my VP Prime Scout. |
Dear @slaw " for hours alone it needs a re-tip for sure. ".
Absolutely. Ortofon research said that after 500 play hours even the best stylus tip " start " to look over a microscope a tiny part of the deviation from the tip shape. Normally goos stylus can goes to 1,500 hours but is convenient for owners try don't go over 2,00o.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
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