Personal turntable/cartridge evolution


I just ran across the two year old personal speaker evolution and personal amp evolution threads. I am amazed that so far nobody has ever posted the question with respect to turntables/cartridge combinations.

Same deal as the other threads. I will start with my short odyssey through the worl of turntables:

1993 Linn Basik/Akito/K9
1998 Rega Planar 3/RB300/Elys
2000 Rega Planar 3/RB300/Denon DL103
2004 Michell Tecnodec/RB600/Ortofon Kontrapunkt A and Denon DL103R

Enjoy!

Rene
Ag insider logo xs@2xrestock
1971 Garrard 44M / Shure M91ED
1973 Pioneer PL12D / Shure M91ED
1974 Transcriptors Saturn / Vestigal tonearm / Shure V15-III
1975 Trascriptors Glass Skeleton / Vestigal arm / Denon DL103D
1977 Linn Sondek / Transcriptors Vestigal arm / Denon DL103D
1980 > present Luxman PD441 / Vestigal arm (Rega RB600 after 2002) / Denon DL103D
1982 > 1985 VPI HW19 / Mission 774 arm / Denon DL103D
also Accuphase moving coil & Monster Alpha 1 & Koetsu Rosewood
1985 > 2002 Pink Triangle / Helius Orion arm / Denon DL103D
1992 > 2002 B&O 8000 / B&O MC1
2005 > present Luxman PD444 / Rega RB1000 / Denon DL103D

So today, I still have my 1979 Luxman PD441 on one system and the Luxman PD444 on another.

Phil
Table update

Got a 2nd arm for the Scheu DL2, the Cartridge Man's Conductor linear air-bearing tonearm. Paired this with the Audio Technica AT33PTG mc cart.

The arm is my first foray into linear tracking arms, but knowing their potential and having read the reviews in 6moons and TNT, I had high expections. I am happy to report that so far, I've not been disappointed.
Time I updated mine. Sold the TNT Mk. II with its SDS conditioner/controller. My first re-plinthed Lenco (L78) has been replaced by a two-armed monster Lenco (replinthed L75 by Jean Nantais) with both JMW 10.5 and SME IIIs arms fitted.

The Lencos -- especialy the new one -- totally blew away the TNT/SDS combo.

The JMW arm now has a Decca Super Gold Mk VII cart -- best sound I've ever had.

The SME IIIs arm has three armtubes with vintage Ortofon, Sonus, and ADC cartridges.
Around 1974 on a student's budget: belt driven Pioneer with Shure MM , I can't possibly recall the model designations anymore.
Around 1981 on some of my first earned wages: Technics SL-QL1 linear tracking direct drive with T4P plug-in Ortofon TMC 200 (MC); I wanted something as easy to handle as a cd-player there.
Around 1985: Micro BL 91 with SME 3009 R and Clearaudio Delta Improved (MC)
Mid-nineties: Clearaudio Victory H (MC) to replace the Delta.
2002: Well Tempered Reference with Reference Arm, Clearaudio Victory H remained in place.
2006: Transfiguration Spirit III to replace the Clearaudio.

I now use the Magic Diamond cartridge(purchased from freakyvynil.I guess he is the main man for this cartridge).The best cartridge I ever heard.This cartridge will let you see what the microphone sees.It will tell you if the recording is lean or fat or in the middle.I have listened to a few master tapes during my time working at EAR(UK)and the Magicdiamond reminded me of that.Extremely detailed with superb balance and easy to listen to.You will need a state of the art phonostage and turntable to hear(see)what it can do.