Phono Cartridges

I know this is a little off the subject of speakers, but I know I can get some good advice on the Altec Users Board forum. I don't know of anyone who still listens to vinyl anymore. I plan to retrieve my old Tecknics SL 1300 from the mothballs and revisit my youth listening to my old vinyl recordings once again. My old Stanton cartridge is probably toast by now, so a new cartridge is in order. I have done a little research and found the number and price range to be a bit overwhelming. So I thought I would seek the advice of those who listen to vinyl on a regular basis. I am looking for something that tracks at around 1 gram and is reasonably priced. I know I can count on experience rather than hype from the manufacturers.

Since refurbishing my 846B's from GPA I have decided to up grade my whole system. As I ponder all the new tube amps I thought I would examine the rest of my equipment as well. My turntable is next.

I appreciate your advice and comments.
Thanks,
Marvin

Hi, Marvin,

I recently raised a similar enquiry under Phono Cartridge Choice. Try the search function to find the thread.

Regards, Marshall.

Hi Marvin, I have been quite happy with the relatively inexpensive OM 20 and 30 moving magnets from Ortofon. They are not perfect but do many things right in my view. When I put my current OM30 on my M?rch UP4 arm (special OM lightweight arm-tube), it usually stays there for several months.
I don't know how they fare in the heavier arms, as I have only used them in the mentioned M?rch, on my old Linn, and the SME series III arm and Thorens standard arm on a Thorens 150 and a Thorens 160 in both cases with special light armtubes for the OM series.
Regards
Kjartan

what ever you try get a fresh needle
the damping material hardens with age and the sound turns to crap

here is a source I have used

STEREO NEEDLES PHONO NEEDLES CARTRIDGES NEEDLE CARTRIDGE? ELECTRONICS RECORD ACCESSORIES

for that original sound how about one of those GE glass cutters?

Thanks for the info guys. It always helps to hear from experienced users.
MM:)

It is important to tell us what you will be connecting the cartridge to and your budget for a proper recommendation. (I use a humble Technics 1200mk2 myself and the sound is quite good)

In MM I thoroughly enjoy the Clearaudio Maestro Wood though the cheaper Clearaudio's are also nice. In MC (and ascending $), Denon 103, 103R, Shelter 501, Koetsu Black, 47 Labs Miyabi, and Air Tight PC-1.

Yikes! I'm a bit on the more modest side. My Tecknics is the less costlier SL 1300. The Clear Audio is WAY out of my price range. I was leaning more toward the Grado Gold 1.

I am still looking for that tube amp that can make my 846B's sing again, but as with all the phono cartridges, I'm a bit overwhelmed...

But, I'm having a hell of a good time doing the research...:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mustang Marvin

Yikes! I'm a bit on the more modest side. My Tecknics is the less costlier SL 1300. The Clear Audio is WAY out of my price range. I was leaning more toward the Grado Gold 1.

I am still looking for that tube amp that can make my 846B's sing again, but as with all the phono cartridges, I'm a bit overwhelmed...

But, I'm having a hell of a good time doing the research...:D

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Any of the cheaper wood bodied Clearaudio's would be great. There is one that is close in price to the Grado that you were looking at. I have heard good things about the Ortofon 2M series but have not heard them. (I'm not a fan of the Grado sound in any of their cartridges that I have played with, but all of these things come down to personal preference.)

Google 'AUDIOGON' for cartridge reviews. Check out the Ortofon OM-5E review.

Next, read this AK thread; www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192907.

OM-5e bodies can be found cheap on Ebay. I purchased a used OMP-5E(P-mount) body($5) and a Digitrac cartridge for its stylus for my Technics SL-10 turntable but haven't tried it yet.

Cheers, Marshall.

Hi Marvin,

You can try the Shure M97xE mm cart. IIRC bought mine for less than a usd100.00. My friends find this cart great in their Technics 1200's. I bought this cart for my SME3009 s2 improved arm but haven't tried it yet. Still enjoying an old arm with an MC cart that I'm currently using. Hope this helps!

BugC

If your turntable has a detachable SME style headshell, I'd really recommend the EMT XSD15. It's built in to an SME style headshell and will plug right in to your arm. It's got a very powerful, punchy sound that's great with Altecs, but it's pretty expensive in the US. You can get it directly from Germany through Studiotechnik Dusch. I can't post a link, but if you search under that name, you'll find the website.

It's available with either conical or SFL styli (I use SFL and have been very happy with it). It's an MC cartridge, but pretty high output, so a step-up may not be required. Depending on exchange rates, I think the price is around $1K.

My take...

You need to know what tonearm mass you have first. Since you mention not over 1 gm VTF on the cart, then I assume that you are looking for mid to high compliance cartridges.

I own/owned some modest MC cartridges (Denon 103 x 4, Denon 103R x 2, Denon 103 nude, Denon 103 wood body x 2, Denon 103R with ruby cantilever, Denon 304, Shelter 501, Shelter 901, Benz Ace low, Benz Glider, Koetsu Rosewood Sugano version). None of these will be a perfect mate to your tonearm. Will it work? Yes, but not optimal. Only the Denon 304 will match and you are already pushing it at a tracking force of 1.25 gms. IMO

If I were you, look at mid to high compliance cartridge. I have no experience on MM carts.

regards,


Abe

What model is that Stanton cartridge? Stanton used the same body with different needles for quite a lot of models. So chances are you can just drop in a 681EEE needle and have a very good classic MM cartridge. Does it say anything about the model number on the cartridge?

Sound Smith makes some high compliance moving iron carts with tracking forces at 1gm. From what I have read, they are supposed to sound very good.

Soundsmith built phono cartridges

David

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BugC

Hi Marvin,

You can try the Shure M97xE mm cart. IIRC bought mine for less than a usd100.00. My friends find this cart great in their Technics 1200's. I bought this cart for my SME3009 s2 improved arm but haven't tried it yet. Still enjoying an old arm with an MC cart that I'm currently using. Hope this helps!

BugC

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Amazon has the M97xE on sale for $61.00 right now. I bought one just to see how it compared to the old V15. It's not going to compete with Clearaudio, Koetsu, etc. but I personally like it better than the Grado Gold.