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cartridge for Sota Comet

Hi,
Thanks to some careless dusting, I managed to break the stylus on my Blue Point. The cartridge was pretty old and it never really "moved" me anyway. So, I am in the market for a new cartridge. I am looking for something warm, with a large soundstage, and is not harsh. I can take it being rolled off much better than grainy or harsh. I am looking to spend around $400. I was thinking either a Dynavector or a Benz. My setup is Sota Comet with LMT III arm, CJ tube pre, CJ ss amp, Martin Logans. I am open to any suggestions in this price range. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I put a Grado Black that I had lying around on to the time being, and it hums, so no Grado please.
saltec
saltec OP
3 posts
 
Twl,
Thanks for your suggestions. I have found a good deal on an Ortofon X5 from Hong Kong. My concern is that it is on 2mv. My preamp only has 38.5db of gain. Is this enough? And what do you think of this cartridge? Thanks for your help.
twl
3,251 posts
 
I think the X5 is a good cartridge, but I doubt that you have enough phono section gain to use it.
saltec OP
3 posts
 
Twl,
Sorry to keep bothering you, but I have one more question. I have an old Adcom 555 pre-amp with both MM and MC sections. I don't know the gain of the unit, but my question is if I run the X5 through the MM section of the Adcom and then the line stage of my CJ are the gain added together, or do I just get the gain of the Adcom. I haven't used the Adcom in a long time, but if I remeber correctly the phono section wasn't bad. If using the Adcom is a good idea, that brings low output cartridges in as possible choices. Thanks again.
twl
3,251 posts
 
That might work, but I can't guarantee the results. If you already have the gear laying around, it wouldn't hurt to try it. Just make sure that you don't try to use two phono stages. Use the Adcom phono, come out of the main preamp output, and go to a line level input on the CJ. By dialing in the gain on both units to an acceptable level, you may get away with it. There may be an increase in noise floor, and a long signal path, but it may be acceptable to you.
saltec OP
3 posts
 
Twl,
Thanks for your help. At only $125 for the X5, I will try it. If it doesn't work, I haven't lost much. I can always sell it and go with the Dynavector.
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