What cartridge are you using?
- Thread starter wullymc
- Start date
Grainger49
New member
I have a Grado Sonata-1 in my Souther arm. I often get the question, "so you like that sound." But that is from people who have never heard a top end Grado. I also have a Denon DL-103C with a broken cantilever that will get retipped. And a HOMC, hypereleptical, cartridge (NOS) from SAE, it is a Coral cartridge. Both are waiting for rotation into my system.
You can see my cartridge on my signature, but the one that mesmerized me is Acutex 415.
I think she is the one I prefer now: lots of bass, a bit rought on high frequencies (but it's more a speaker's problem than cartridge's as I mainly use my fullrange), and very forgiving for surface noise.
I'm still waiting to hear my Denon with my UTC SUTs (soon to be finished)...who knows?! maybe Denon could be better, but SUTs are a big variable and they can colour the sound.
In conclusion: grab one Acutex STR if you can, and if you have a low mass tonearm!
I think she is the one I prefer now: lots of bass, a bit rought on high frequencies (but it's more a speaker's problem than cartridge's as I mainly use my fullrange), and very forgiving for surface noise.
I'm still waiting to hear my Denon with my UTC SUTs (soon to be finished)...who knows?! maybe Denon could be better, but SUTs are a big variable and they can colour the sound.
In conclusion: grab one Acutex STR if you can, and if you have a low mass tonearm!
Haniwa HTCRO1 is the only cartridge I have had that makes me feel like I don't need to keep looking for something better.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there was a Walco branded MM cartridge that an online seller had a surplus batch of maybe 15 years ago. Can't recall the designation, but it was around $35 IIRC. The thing had a Shibata type stylus and sounded like a $200 cartridge.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there was a Walco branded MM cartridge that an online seller had a surplus batch of maybe 15 years ago. Can't recall the designation, but it was around $35 IIRC. The thing had a Shibata type stylus and sounded like a $200 cartridge.
I started with a Rega Elys for my P25 but now I don't even remember how I broke it. I think I had it less than a year. Eventually I got a Shure V15 and within 2 months I accidently ripped the stylus out while drinking and dusting off the table. :'( Been using the replacement stylus for over 12 years. I think it's almost done as the cartridge body is damn near dragging onto the vinyl. But it still plays and sounds ok. I've been looking at the SAS upgrade stylus for it for a while now. Not too expensive of an upgrade.
Still, I sometimes dream of getting a really nice cartridge.
Still, I sometimes dream of getting a really nice cartridge.
Grainger49
New member
Dan,
It scares me that you have a cartridge that I can't even find the cost of. That said, I probably couldn't afford it anyway till the next temp job.
It scares me that you have a cartridge that I can't even find the cost of. That said, I probably couldn't afford it anyway till the next temp job.
Grainger49
New member
I think that is more than the rest of my system cost me. But... I am a proponent of cartridges being the most critical thing in the phono chain of components.
Maybe I should save my Social Security checks?
Maybe I should save my Social Security checks?
4
4krow
Guest
Rob,
You might be surprised about replacing the stylus. If the cantilever angle(rake angle?) is off, then likely is the sound as well.
You might be surprised about replacing the stylus. If the cantilever angle(rake angle?) is off, then likely is the sound as well.
Grainger49
New member
Greg,
Can you PM me and explain the difference between SRA and VTA. I read an article that just confused me. I think you could do better.
Thanks,
Can you PM me and explain the difference between SRA and VTA. I read an article that just confused me. I think you could do better.
Thanks,
Hank Murrow
New member
Dear AZrockitman;
I just had Andy at Cartridge Repair fix the broken cantilever of my BPS EVO lll, and it sounds as glorious as ever. You might email him with questions about cost of repair: "Andy@ Needle Clinic" <needleclinic@gmail.com>
If you send your cartridge to him, he will evaluate the repair cost and advise. If your BPS stylus is still good, it may be inexpensive to repair; if not, he may have a stylus to offer to you at a good price. Honest and very effective work. Ask PB (Caucasian Blackplate) about him.
Cheers, Hank
I just had Andy at Cartridge Repair fix the broken cantilever of my BPS EVO lll, and it sounds as glorious as ever. You might email him with questions about cost of repair: "Andy@ Needle Clinic" <needleclinic@gmail.com>
If you send your cartridge to him, he will evaluate the repair cost and advise. If your BPS stylus is still good, it may be inexpensive to repair; if not, he may have a stylus to offer to you at a good price. Honest and very effective work. Ask PB (Caucasian Blackplate) about him.
Cheers, Hank
I also use a cartridge from Andy, and would highly recommend him.
azrockitman
New member
Hank Murrow said:
Hank,I'm embarrassed I missed your comment until just now. I appreciate the tip, greatly! Thanks!
Currently I'm listening to the 3rd record in the 45RPM pressing of Cannonball Adderly-Miles Davis album Somethin' Else, and some spit just landed on my cheek from Mile's trumpet, so I have to go wipe that off.
(that's how much I love this LP with my Sumiko, so getting my damaged one repaired sounds appealing)
I have used various lower cost cartridges such as the Shure M97XE, Denon MC, various Grados, Audio Technica 120E. Funny thing is perhaps I am just a little to easy going as I have yet to meet a cartridge I didn't like. I thought all of them had great sonic attributes. Am now using an Grado MCZ that I like a lot and will probably stick with for a long while. It certainly seems to do the trick!
Grainger49
New member
That makes Paully the Will Rogers of cartridges.
The Grado he is using was next to the top of the line when made. A Joe Grado cartridge.
The Grado he is using was next to the top of the line when made. A Joe Grado cartridge.
How in the world did you manage to get thatt cartridge? Bet it's beautiful. I also am just seeing that there has been a recent? upgrade to the whole analog font-end -- Congrats.
