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help with cartridge selection

Hi,
I'm very new and would appreciate any advice.
I have a Garrard 401 and a SME 3009 S2 Improved(fixed headshell.
I have been reading about what cartridge to use with this arm and there are several options. From what I understand if I want to use the SME 3009 S2 Improved without mods I can use a Goldring 1042, or a Shure V15 or a Grado Red or a Shure M97xE as those seems the better matches.
And also some experiences tell that if I wanna use a Denon DL103 with the SME 3009 S2 Improved I need to change the SME plastic bearings for bronze ones and make other mods.

I couldnt find too many comments about how the arm/cartridge combos match with the Garrard 401 specifically. So I would like some advice on what will be the best cartridge for the SME 3009 S2 Improved with a garrard 401.
Thanks,
-bird
birdliver
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Agree completely with Doug,s assesment. My experience with my stock 103 is that it does not come into its own until used in arms of 15 grams effective mass or greater. If you do the math, this also agrees with Bill's point about the ZU working well in arms at 9 to 10 grams effective mass (it was designed on the Rega arms)as the metal body adds about 5 grams to the whole affair. My 103D works better in the lighter arms, but it has not been made in thirty years or so.
birdliver OP
21 posts
 
I appreciate all the contributions. I will look for high compliance cartridges and have gotten some advice from Raul, also. I think that there are enough options available without my forcing the issue with the Denon 103/103R with this arm, albeit the consensus that it's an outstanding cart. Thanks everyone, it's been very helpful. Cheers,-bird
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rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Bird: +++++ " My guidance was not based on arm/cart resonance calculations, which are only useful for avoiding gross incompatibilities. Actual performance is better assessed by listening. " +++++

Doug is spot-on in the subject.

I agree with Zenblaster on the Goldring 1042 that is very good performer and the " humble " Shure M97 can be even better ( surprising good ) with the Jico SAS stylus replacement.

Regards and enjoy thye music,
Raul.
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