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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
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
Dougdeacon, Thanks for more valuable advice...I'm familiar w/ Raul's thread and will read it.

But one question first, IYO should I be looking for a MM with low output specs?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Lowrider57, you started this thread saying that rock recordings sounded excellent with the Rega. These recordings could not sound excellent if the Rega was overloading your phono stage. The peak levels on rock and classical recordings are the same. Typically rock recordings have a higher average level than classical recordings so if you were experiencing phono stage overload you would hear it more often with rock recordings. And it won't sound like a Les Paul driving a Marshall stack. The distortion would be raspy and amusical sounding. It's possible that the Rega may not be a very good cartridge for classical strings, but it's not because it's overloading your phono stage.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Lowrider57,

The optimum output cartridge depends on the gain structure of the entire system, particularly the phono stage but also the line stage, amp and speaker sensitivity. I'll defer to Al on just what range of cartridge outputs would be optimal in your system. He's far more qualified than I am in anything having to do with hot and cold running electrons!
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
As you think about potential upgrades down the road, also be aware that the Rogue integrated phono stages aren't the units' strong points. I have read many positive things from Rogue owners about upgrading the phono.

Though in this case I would replace the cart first.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
You are correct, Roscoeiii. The preamp is designed for it's tube linestage with a "bonus" phono section. But, yeah, the cart needs to be dealt with first.
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