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Do I Have the Wrong Cartridge?

I recently got back into playing vinyl on my Linn Axis (fully serviced), but needed a new cart. Since 80% of my listening is on an ARC CD3 and not knowing how often I’ll use the TT, I set a budget of only $300 on a MM and went to my local HiFi shop. They recommended a Rega Elys II.

Now to my problem...I listen to classical music and it sounds awful with this cart; strings and brass are harsh and music sounds thin overall. All my LPs are top class, pressed in Germany and Holland.
To test my TT, I played some Rock albums and they all sounded excellent; great dynamics, wide soundstaging. Records played were a wide variety; Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orch, Kraftwerk.

So I ask you, can a middle of the road cartridge like this Rega only sound good on a particular style of music? I was told this Rega was a good all-around cart and BTW, it’s non-returnable.

Looking for any explanation and advice.
Many thanks.
128x128lowrider57
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knownothing
1,298 posts
 
I am using a Grado Reference Platinum 1 on an old Thorens 150mkII and my classical records sound wonderful. No hum near the center on my system. Midrange is particularly sweet with this cartridge. If it is a good match with your tone arm, I think it would be a big improvement over the Rega which has never impressed me for listening to unamplified music.

kn
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
Thank you all for the replies and such valuable information.

It seems that a high output MC is what I need to match my phono stage. I think my local HiFi shop just wanted to sell me a Rega w/o asking any pertinent questions. I will be making a visit to a different dealer who carries Denon.
And the distortions in Rock music confirm why the cart sounds so different when playing classical.
Once again, I thank you.

And to Dougdeacon...very good explanation. I misunderstood the term VTA. I balanced my tonearm using downloaded instructions on how to balance a Linn tonearm. I experimented by moving the counterweight and could see the different angle of the stylus in the groove and set the tonearm balance by the best sound to my ear.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
And Al, I missed your post. Gee you have a good memory, I do have collection of Telarc on vinyl. They and Decca Digital have very good sonics. I do stay away from Digitally mastered LPs unless it's a must-own item.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
Lastly my friends, any recommendations of a HOMC cart would be appreciated. Since I blew the money on the Rega my budget would be $200-250.

And it seems that the Denon DL-160 has been discontinued.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I can't think of many reasons to prefer HOMC to a good MM. The purpose of the MC design is to reduce moving mass on the cantilever, which increases responsiveness and dynamics. To achieve this, LOMC's have minimal coils (and thus minimal output). To achieve higher output levels from the same design, the HOMC version of a cartridge typically doubles or even quadruples the coil windings. This of course undermines the original concept. HOMCs arguably bring you the worst of both designs, often at higher cost than an MM.

My main cartridge is an $8,500 LOMC, however I own a couple of sub-$200 MMs that sound amazingly good for their cost. Again, check out Raul's MM vs. MC thread for valuable suggestions and experiences.

Just my $.02...
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