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thoughts on the Madrigal Carnegie One

I recently purchases a clear audio turntable through Audiogon to replace an mmf5 and have started to look for a cartridge that would be an upgrade over the goldring 1012 that came with the mmf5. My local shop recommended a Madrigal Carnegie One with very low hours on it. As this is an older cartridge I can't find much in terms of reviews online. The other alternative they suggested in my price range was the Sumiko blue point. Anyone here have experience with the Madrigal? Any toughts on the sound and how it would compare to the blue point or the goldring?

Thanks
sballs
mepearson
100 posts
 
Well boys and girls, the bottom line is our boy who started this thread doesn't have much money to fool with here as he is trying to keep his wife from cutting off his onions (if he spends more than 200-300 beans he might have to change his name from Sballs to noballs). We all agree the Carnagie is a better cartridge than the BP (assuming it works ok). The question is does he have a preamp capable of driving its output? He has a MF integrated amp that does have a MC input that is good for somewhere around .3mv. What is the output of the Carnagie?

The last time I heard a Carnagie was at least 25 years ago. It should probably come with an antique license plate.
sballs OP
23 posts
 
Mosin, Mepearson, Frogman, Lewm, and Breuninger,

Thanks to all for your feedback. It was very informative... and entertaining (Mepearson, I should have dropped the balls from my screen name a long time ago!)

I will have the madrigal mounted, make sure it isn't riding low, and then have listen. If it doesn't work out I'll probably make due with the goldring for a month or so in order to squirrel away some more cash and look for something in the $750 to $1000 range.

I should have the new table by the weekend and will post back on the results.

Thanks again
sballs
johnss
582 posts
 
Like others have posted, I have a carn. one. as well as several Benz carts. I have not had a problem with elastomer, as with some other MCs. The one thing you will need as Mepearson points out, is a quiet MC head amp. The output V on the Carn. seems to be a little lower than other Low output MCs.
sballs OP
23 posts
 
Thanks again for everyone's advice. I did eventually pick up the Carnegie One. Although I've only had it mounted for a week, so far I'm very pleased. The system is finally giving me the sound from vinyl I had hoped for but not quite reached with the mmf5 goldring combo. In fact I've liked what I've heard so much I just keep listenting to the same four albums over and over (J.Cash American 4 and 6, Dire Straits Dire Straits, and Jeff Buckley Grace).

My integrated amp's phono section has had no issue handling the low output. Although the cartridge rides slightly low to the groove, it's no worse that the goldring I had been using.

I guess now I had better start hiding away some more cash for the next time I need a cartridge so that I can get something new but with comparable performance.

Thanks
SB
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