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What replacement cartridge for BSR Quanta 400?

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my Supratek Chenin preamp, and am looking to tune up my old BSR Quanta 400 turntable while I wait. I eventually plan to get a VPI TT, but until then, the BSR will have to do. It's in great shape, since I've been out of vinyl since the mid-80s (I know, shame on me!), and it's been in storage, but I think I'll replace the drive belt, and upgrade the stock cartridge (the one it had when I bought it way back in the late 70's). I can't wait to hear vinyl sounds coming from my Zu Druids. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding an appropriate replacement cartridge. I'm looking for something that's very good, but not out of line for the quality of the BSR. Thanks in advance.
ait
ait OP
480 posts
 
More info. The stock cartridge is an ADC QLM32MkIII, definitely a budget cartridge. Is a Moving Coil cartridge like the Denon 130 or 130R out of the question for this TT?
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The Denon 103 is probably too low in compliance for the somewhat light arm in the BSR, and the appropriate phono stage with loads of gain would be needed as well. The Denon DL110 and DL160 high output moving coils might be a good match though. They can both be sourced at the William Thakker shop on E-Bay. How about a nice Ortofon OM-10 or OM-20, $60.00 and $119.00 respectively, inclusive of shipping from www.jacksmusicfactory.com. J&R Music World is a bit more expensive on the 20, but a couple of bucks less on the 10. They match well with the arm and can be upgraded later for only the cost of a new stylus. In the end though, I would go to my local dealer, who has the gear to properly set-up a cartridge. An inexpensive cartridge, well aligned, will be competitive with an expensive cartridge that is not and it will protect your biggest investment, your budding LP collection.
ait OP
480 posts
 
The Supratek preamp will be fine with a low output cartridge, it is designed for them. With that in mind, would you still recommend the high output?
sean
6,229 posts
 
I think that you are WAY over-estimating the capabilities of the BSR and wanting to spend too much on a cartridge for this arm. Having said that, i would second Viridian's recommendation of the Ortofon Super OM-10 or Super OM-20.

If you were to start off with the Super OM-10, which would probably be a good bet, you can easily upgrade the performance of the cartridge / phono system by replacing the stylus with that of the Super OM-30 at a later date. Ortofon was smart in setting these cartridges up this way, allowing one to minimize their initial investment and upgrade gradually should they feel the need.

Using this approach, you can get started with playing vinyl. It also keeps your costs down at this point in time. You can put the money that you saved towards a better vinyl rig. On top of this, you'll have plenty of time to decide whether or not your like the basic Ortofon OM sound enough to upgrade in that line or go elsewhere. This approach also takes into account that you may end up with a different tonearm that is better suited for a lower output / higher mass cartridge. Sean
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