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New cart for under 1K

I am looking to buy a new cartrdige for my setup. My current system consists of a VPI Scout II with a Black Knight platter and 10.5SE tonearm (the TT Michael Fremer demonstrated a cartridge setup at last years show in NYC), JM Focal 936's, Mac solid state power & pre, and a Dynavector P-75 phono pre-amp. The Focal's are very accurate and tend to be bright in the highs. Brightness is what I am trying to avoid. I've found the highs to be too harsh for my liking, especially with vocals. Sibilance is also an issue and something I have attempted to control with speaker placement, VTA, damping fluid, and the tone controls on my old Mac preamp. My current cart is a Grado Gold. I am hopeful that upgrading to a new cartridge helps eliminate some of the treble harshness and provides a sweeter overall sound. I'm interested in the Dynavector 20x2 so far. Any other suggestions for 1K or under, Benz, Ortofon, Sumiko (Blackbird, a little over 1K, but what the hell)?

Thanks for you assistance!
davidlillis
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,502 posts
 
I WOULD TRY THE ORTOFON 2M BLACK. IT IS A WARMER CARTRIDGE AND WOULD HELP WITH THE BRIGHTNESS YOU SPEAK OF. ALSO I WOULD CHECK OUT THE NAGAOKA MP500,A WARM AND DELIGHTFUL SOUND.

MATT TX
davidlillis OP
27 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses and recommendations.

Redglobe, I agree with your assessment regarding the causes of sibilance. I have tweaked, and tweaked, and tweaked. One day (it's amazing how the ah ha moment in life can take some time), I threw in a CD in my Arcam CD-player and confirmed that it's not the TT, but it still could be the room, the stuff in the room, the speakers, the pre-amp (old Mac C32), or one of many other factors, but I don't think it's the TT. My dealer and I have an excellent relationship where he will allow me to try a few carts out prior to purchasing. I'm going to take each of your recommendations and try a few. I'll post my decision when it is make. Thank you all again!
redglobe
223 posts
 
David, Do research the DL-S1 on Audio Asylum, as well as here. This is a very fine cartridge: True sound reproduction that gets the fine texture of instruments, and vocals. I listen primarily to classical music which is much more demanding of a TT than rock music.
dhcod
710 posts
 
I have a P75 and used to have a 20x2. Replaced it with a Denon DL103 and nuded the cartridge (or you can buy from Soundsmith already nuded or Zu in an aluminum housing... all good). If you put the P75 in special mode, it's pretty awesome with a DL103.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
If you are looking for a warmer sound, I'd recommend a Benz Wood SL. I'm using a Dynavector XX-2 mk II with my Scoutmaster, and while I agree with others here that it is not bright, it is also not as warm or musical as a wood body Benz. The Dynavector won't help to hide the brightness of your Focal speakers, the Benz will help to do this better.
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