cartridge for Eminent Technology ET2 tonearm?


I would like to listen for suggestions for cartridges from users of the Eminent Technology ET2 tonearm.
I already own the arm but am using a cartridge that I borrowed from the seller of the tonearm therefore I need to replace it.
The table is a Teres 255. I have an Air Tight ATC-1 pre with mm input. and Wavelength Gemini/Cain and Cain Single Ben speakers combination. I also own a Cotter L Mk. 2 step-up transformer for use with low gain MC cartridges.
Your help and comments on the combination that you are or have used will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
alanpiga
Good for you Alan. I would recommend experimenting with cartridge loading once you get the Denon installed. There seems to be a general consensus as to where this cartridge tends to work and sound best in terms of a loading range, but this will vary with personal preference and system response characteristics.

Out of curiosity, where did you order it from? Sean
>
I ordered the DL-103R from Action Accessories in Linden, New Jersey. It will take 14 days to get here they told me. I read somewhere about a place called phonophono with excellent prices but I believe it is in Europe.
As far as cartridge loading, I have not even opened the Cotter step up transformer to familiarize with the inwards of it therefore I have no idea how to change the loading. I understand in general that it is done by changing a resistor with one of a different value and I read somewhere that the DL-103R worked well into a Cotter transformer with an impedance of 40 ohms, which is interesting because I believe that the internal impedance of the DL-103R is 14 ohms and I read also that when a low output cartridge is driven with a step-up transformer the loading in the transformer should match the internal loading of the cartridge, and, I know, it is a starting point, not necesarily the best solutiuon.
This is my first low output cartridge. So in practice I am completely new to this.
Hi Alan

I have hesitated to add a follow-up to my earlier comments, as you have already ordered your cartridge, and I am sure you will be pleased with your choice. The Denon is a great choice for your arm.

My comment, and perhaps Sean or others can chime in on this, concerns the issue of output voltage of the cartridge and how THAT affects the overall sonics. In your case, I am sure you will have more than sufficient gain, since you are using the Cotter transformer. However, something you might want to consider is what I have experienced IN MY SYSTEM. I have generally preferred using a higher output cartridge when my phono stage was of the lower gain type, as opposed to using a step-up device. I have used Electrocompaniet, Counterpoint, and Koetsu step-up devices in the past. My experience has been that using something like a Grado or higher-output MC gave ME a more natural sound as opposed to adding the extra electronics and cabling of the step-up to the signal of an ostensibly better quality low-output MC. The same way that, even with my high gain preamp (Melos), in some ways, sometimes the best sound is achieved by using the lower gain setting with a higher gain cartridge. The music is less electronic sounding even if I give up a little bit in detail retrieval. This has nothing to do with arm/cartridge compatibility. Of course, as with most things, this is all relative. In your system the results may be different, and at some point the advantages of a really great (and expensive) cartridge (assuming it is compatible with your arm) will supersede the "losses" of using more preamp (or step-up) gain. Might be worth experimenting with a higher gain cartridge as well as with as your Denon at some point.

Just food for thought, and good luck and enjoy your ET-2/Denon. Great arm. Make sure that the bearing tube is ABSOLUTELY clean, and if you are feeling ambitious, clean the capillaries in the housing. I found that the sound was deteriorating over time, and I traced it (with Thigpen's help) to clogged capillaries. A bit of a pain, but worth the effort.

Good luck and keep us posted.