Boy do you cover some ground! My first audiophile amp was a Phase Linear. I bought it because it had more recommendations than any other from all the rags in 1978. It stayed in service for seven years and is now a bouy anchor with an impressive mussell colony. So, now, you want to outfit two rigs. Mayhap you could slow down aways. Howse about buying one, without the certainty of love, and trying it in each rig? Sounds like fun to me, and instructional. I am sure the boys will have much input, always worth wading through. First, determine your budget. And do not bust it by more than 20% AT WORST. Consider the Grado line. One will fit your budget. Use it on both rigs. As to your matching question, you want to find the effective mass of each arm, and then go for the compatible compliance of your cartridge. Imagine a light arm with a springy cartridge. It will fly off like, well, I won't go there. Or, conversely, a weighty arm bearing down on a flacid cartridge that is dredging a sludgy canal. You have punishingly revealing speakers, which will be great when your ducks are in a row. This should be great fun, not hurried.
Respectfully seek some arm+cartridge advice
First off, thanks to all the wonderful advice flowing thru this forum.I have finally upgraded from my Phase Linear/GAS amp system and joined the audiophiles of the millenium - including back into vinyl.
I purchased a vintage GyroDec with an SME 3010-R and also an upgraded Scout with the JMW-9. Both will need cartridges. I've read what I can (my wife thinks I'm ignoring her) on cartridge selection but don't have a strong sense of what works - which I suspect means most all combos "work", the question is "how well".
So as a neophyte, how do I select a cartridge I will love? I now know MC has a lower voltage output but I think I'm ok there. I know to select a cartridge compatable with the arm's weight - but how?
I figure the simplest thing is to(unnecessarily) spend a lot of money or just ask what everyone's using - which I welcome if they're on similar equipment.
I don't want to spend thousands and I am frugal - so "used" is fine. I need 2 different cartridges and I'd like to keep it under $1,000 yet be happy.
My equipment is decent including a Lexi MC-12 pre, Theta/Dreadnaught amp plus a couple of tube amps and a Mcintosh amp. I purchased a Musical Fidelity phono pre-. Speakers will be Hyperions for HT and I have B&Ws and Definitive Tech's. I have rarely "loved" digital music and I tend to Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons and Rock 'n Roll of the 70s but also classical and jazz.
What I'd love is a primer on what to do if one exists. Failing that, any recommendations welcome - I don't mind trying a number of options and reselling what's not right.
Cheers all,
Kevin
I purchased a vintage GyroDec with an SME 3010-R and also an upgraded Scout with the JMW-9. Both will need cartridges. I've read what I can (my wife thinks I'm ignoring her) on cartridge selection but don't have a strong sense of what works - which I suspect means most all combos "work", the question is "how well".
So as a neophyte, how do I select a cartridge I will love? I now know MC has a lower voltage output but I think I'm ok there. I know to select a cartridge compatable with the arm's weight - but how?
I figure the simplest thing is to(unnecessarily) spend a lot of money or just ask what everyone's using - which I welcome if they're on similar equipment.
I don't want to spend thousands and I am frugal - so "used" is fine. I need 2 different cartridges and I'd like to keep it under $1,000 yet be happy.
My equipment is decent including a Lexi MC-12 pre, Theta/Dreadnaught amp plus a couple of tube amps and a Mcintosh amp. I purchased a Musical Fidelity phono pre-. Speakers will be Hyperions for HT and I have B&Ws and Definitive Tech's. I have rarely "loved" digital music and I tend to Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons and Rock 'n Roll of the 70s but also classical and jazz.
What I'd love is a primer on what to do if one exists. Failing that, any recommendations welcome - I don't mind trying a number of options and reselling what's not right.
Cheers all,
Kevin
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- 31 posts total
. Grab a new ! Denon 103 or 103R Cartridge and play around with that a bit and then contemplate your next move. I would suggest staying away from buying a used cartridge - it can be quite treacherous. . Rear TWL's review here on Audiogon (I listed the link below) on the 103r and it should give you some information with which to make a decision. Tom is quite astute and you can put some good stock in his review. . http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ranlg&1034089946&openusid&zzTwl&4&5#Twl . I continually hear about what a terrific cartridge the 103r is for the money (around $ 250.00). You can pick up a 103r (I just ordered one) from Audio Cubes (http://www.audiocubes.com/ ). . Good luck and let us know how you make out. . Rgds, Larry |
Hi from Australia... Since the Shelter 501 Mk1 appeared on the market ,I have been using that one with great success...than Shelter 501 Mk2 and the Shelter 901...they would go well in your arms...very neutral,yet musical...I than tried the ZYX Airy 2 and prefered it over the Shelter marginally...I agree that the Denon 103 is a bargain and the used market is very dodgy...by the same token ...I just upgraded my rig with a Air Tangent arm which had a Shelter 501 Mk2 in it,very low hours...I replaced it with the ZYX Airy 3...Good deals to be had in the ZYX's range...if you are interested... Regards Helmut |
For your SME 3010-R I agree with Cello, pick up a Denon DL-103R. It should be an acceptable mass and compliance match and it's a wonderful cartridge for the money (<$300). You'll have to hurry, the 103 line is being discontinued. I also agree with his advice to avoid used cartridges, at least until you have a little experience. It's easier to get burned with a used cartridge than any other component. If you know the seller that's different of course. Your JMW needs a higher compliance cartridge. Grado's are a possiblity, but they're sensitive to stray EM fields, like leakage from the AC motor on your Scout. Some people have a hum problem with Grado's, some don't. They're also known to have a suspension issue: google on "grado dance" or "grado wiggle" and you'll get a million hits. Personally I can't think of a good reason to risk money with those risks. Dynavector, Audio Technica, ZYX, Benz and quite a few other brands make cartridges that would suit a JMW-9. The Shelters mentioned by Hiradi would probably blow your budget. Certainly the 901 would, it lists for $1500. The 501MkII ($800) would suit your SME nicely but not the JMW. Read the vinyl FAQ's on Audio Asylum for a primer on some technical issues. Not everything there is perfect or non-controversial, but it will give you a ton of information to chew on. http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/d.pl?audio/faq.html#vinyl |
Dear Kevin: You already have two good TT's/tonearms combos. Now you have to put your money on the source: phono cartridge, try to invest all the money you can on it: remember that that phono cartridge is the transducer for the music reproduction and the better your cartridge the better the quality sound reproduction. I agree with Aceto: buy one, a really good one, instead of two bad/regular cartridges. Try to find new or second hand: Benz Micro Ruby 2, Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, Dynavector XX 2, Shelther 501 II or 90X, Benz Micro L 0.4, Sumiko Celebration, Ortofon Jubilee. Any one of these cartridges goes fine with both tonearms, no problem. If you are serious about music reproduction stay away of the Denon 103 R, this is a garbage of cartridge nothing more nothing less. Don't waist your money and time with that " thing ", and remember, in your current system, the better the cartridge the better the quality of the music/sound reproduction . Regards and enjoy the music. Raul. Ps: " You'll have to hurry, the 103 line is being discontinued ". Dougdeacon: ยก BRAVO ! Thank's God is being discontinued, in that way it can't do it more harm to anyone. |
- 31 posts total