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ortofon 2m bronze vs rega Exact 2 cartridge

Hi every one I just currently upgraded to a new rp8 and looking for a new phono cartridge for it then my old one. My old one is an Ortofon VMS20E MKII mc. My phono preamp is a cary audio slp-98p with triode tube MM phono stage. I like the idea of the Ortofon bronze and changing out the styles to a 2m black without upgrading the hole cartridge. The the rest of my system is a CAD 120s power amp and totem acoustic forest speakers and Kimber 12tc speaker cable and silver streak interconnects.
Which one would be a better match?
jakecanada
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I have never been a fan of the Rega three-point mounting. The alignment is basically Stevenson, which makes perfect sense if you listen to classical music as the highest groove velocities are freqently at the end of the side, however for jazz and popular music the Baerwald alignment is thought by many to be superior. I prefer this alignment, even when using Rega cartridges.

The Ortofons are designed to be compatible with the Rega arms and, it's completely a matter of personal taste, but I would take the Bronze and align it with Baerwald algnment, though the Exact is also a cracking good cartridge and many will prefer it.
tommy89's avatar
tommy89
4 posts
 
I just went to buy a Ortofon black and the Dealer talked me into a Bronze. Said the Black is a shibata and a lot more fussy. And the bronze was half the price 
bill_k
671 posts
 
@tommy89 - You've got a very honest dealer, what he told you is true. The Black's Shibata stylus profile is much more critical of exact VTA than the line contact stylus in the Bronze, and that is not easily accommodated by using spacers with the Rega arms. Enjoy your new Ortofon 2M Bronze, but realize that it will take some time for full break-in until it will sound its best.
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Having set up perhaps 500 TT’s over last 50 years , I would never put a shibata or other" fine line" cart on any TT without a" adjust as you play" VTA
mechanism .
The new Pioneer PLX-1000 has an adjustable 360 degree round the arm base adjustment dial, VERY easy to adjust on the fly and an excellent sound, IMO better than about anything under 2K anyway .
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