2. analog
  3. 1283133131

Moving from mm to mc

In prior threads I did a poor job of communicating. Let me state quickly where I am and where I want to go. In the days before children I ate, drank and slept vinyl. Since they are grown and gone, I have pulled the vinyl out and picked up a Garrard 401 with a SME 3009 Series II improved tone arm and a Shure V15 Type III cartridge. I drove 100 miles from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC to have the tone arm rewired and the 401 checked out. All was well until I recently listened to a Benz Micro Glider through a tube amp and was blown away. That is where I want to go … to a system using a mc. However, getting from a 7.1 home theatre system to a viable mc system is proving to be a major undertaking, because the quality and technology has changed so much. So I will use my existing system until I figure this out. I did pick up an EAR 88pb at an outrageously low price, because I read enough to know that I would need a decent phono preamp to support mid to low output mc’s.

I have read about matching the tone arm to the specs of the mc you want to use, and selecting a good turntable. Please indulge a few questions: 1) Can I realistically incorporate my 401, or should I move on to something else? 2) Can I use my SME? As I understand it, the SME is not designed to work with mid to low output mc’s. 3) Finally, should I change out the power cord on the EAR, and what cabling would you recommend? Realistically, I know this will take a while to figure this out. In the event I have to replace all, I am estimating $4,000 - $6,000 for a tt, arm and cart, depending on new or used. I would like to think I can incorporate my Yamaha RX-V3900 in the loop. At this point, I could use some sound advice. It is tough when you live in a city without a good stereo shop. Thank you.
bgmyers
mjordanas
47 posts
 
Glider is mostly considered as one of the best carts up to $1000, and if you go trough discusions, you will find many happy owners. So it might be very dependable on WHOLE sound system in use, not only raw-compatibility with table/arm/phonostage... And you first meeting with glider (was it at dealer, or someones personal system?) as pointed out was very positive, do not forget that.

To be specific, lets take Alison Krauss and R. Plant album - Raising Sand, with Glider I could not listen to it, the music was sort of compressed, uninvolving, and my verdict was poor mastering/release. I even brought this LP to dealer, and played with Benz Micro ACE. Feeling were similar - in totally different system. But with Denon DL103 - I CAN PLAY, listen, and enjoy this album.

I went with a basic version of Denon DL-103, "R" is 6N pure copper wire used in coils. There is a good thread here in audiogon about differences between R and basic versions. I like how mine sounds right now, I do not feel the need of upgrading the cart itself, just heavily buying used and new vinyl, and enjoying the music. Maybe thinking buying a SUT.

Good luck.

travbrow
277 posts
 
You could always try a better MM cartridge and save some money.Plenty of models mentioned in the big thread about MM cartridges,lots of vintage models you could try might blow you away.But you have to spend a little time to find one via ebay or audiogon.
bgmyers OP
28 posts
 
I have contacted Steve Dobbins and Chris Harban about a plinth and tone arm / cart for the 401. I also had a long discussion with the gentleman at Vintage Turntable Restoration. It appears he has done a lot of plinth work and restoration of 401’s. He recommends a thorough cleaning / maintenance of the 401. More often than not, he rebuilds and mounts SME Series II or III tone arms on his restored 401 turntables. He thinks my Series II, with the correct cart (mm or mc) and my EAR 88PB would provide excellent results. He says the key is the correct wiring, bearings, dampers, etc. Have any of you heard of Vintage Turntable Restoration or their work?

I am inclined to stay with a SME tone arm. He sells Grado, so obviously, he is pushing them. He thinks the Grado Reference Sonata 1 wood body cart would be a good match. He uses a Thorens with a SME Series II and a Grado Reference Master 1 wood body cart. It will take a lot of research and forums to decide on the cart. Your thoughts on the decision process.
More to discover