[WireNut]

I've got $400.00 for a new cartridge for my system. I can use MM or MC.
What would you all recommend in that price range?
I like rock, blues, Jazz.




 

[Sonny]

A used Benz Ace if you can get one!  Or a Dynavector 10x5!

[Minn Mark]

My tastes run the same, and I'm pretty darn happy with the Ortofon 2M Red. At $99, I have them on two of my four TTs.

Good Hunting,

Mark

[JackD]

Denon Dl-301 Mk II loaded between 400-600 0hms at 60db.

[neobop]

What arm is this going on, your JVC?

What are you using and what kind of sound are you looking for?

neo

[WireNut]

What arm is this going on, your JVC?

What are you using and what kind of sound are you looking for?

neo

Hi Neo,

Yes its going on my JVC QL-7 with a Vista ACLE phono stage.
I plan on getting an SUT in the next week. I friend has a Peerless/Altec Lansing 4722 SUT i'm thinking about buying but I don't know jack about it and can't audition it. I now have an Audio Technica AT120E cart. I like the sound but want to upgrade to something with better definition.

Are you familiar with the Peerless 4722 SUT at all?
Here's a pic of it. Not sure what it's worth, I thinking maybe $350.00 

[orientalexpress]

Hi Neo,

Yes its going on my JVC QL-7 with a Vista ACLE phono stage.
I plan on getting an SUT in the next week. I friend has a Peerless/Altec Lansing 4722 SUT i'm thinking about buying but I don't know jack about it and can't audition it. I now have an Audio Technica AT120E cart. I like the sound but want to upgrade to something with better definition.

Are you familiar with the Peerless 4722 SUT at all?
Here's a pic of it. Not sure what it's worth, I thinking maybe $350.00 

I buy that in a heartbeat for that price.

[neobop]

I can see you've got the itch, but the scratch is going to cost you going the LOMC route. 

I'm not partial to SUTs, however the Peerless is a good buy if it works.  It's tough buying something like that without owning a LOMC and you'll be setting the money drain wheels in motion.  Just the SUT is like owning a canary with a tracheotomy and is $400 enough for a LOMC ?  Maybe.

If you're getting good results with the 120E and just want more detail, get an ATN150MLX stylus and you'll get a lot more detail and all kinds of harmonic texture and all that good audiofool stuff and they're < $200 at Amazon. 

You'll have to spend at least 4 or 5 X that amount to equal the SQ with a LOMC considering the price of the SUT.  There are some used ones you can get for around 5 - $600.  Sometimes it works out great.  I saw a used Maestro on Agon for $600 (I think), but I'm not sure if it's better than a 120/150MLX which is a really nice combo.
neo

[S Clark]

I don't have near the experience that many here in the vinyl circle have, but I can second Sonny's recommendation of the Dynavector 10x5... and it lets you stay in the realm of high output. 

[JackD]

If you Vista is a Mk I, then you could just buy a MkII for less than the SUT and you could then use any cartridge you want without any other external parts.  Gain adjustable in 5db increments from 40-70 db.

[bacobits1]

Good choice for the adjustable VISTA MKII version giving you 70db if needed.

But I will say this in argument for the stepup I have never heard the OC9 ML MKII sound like it does now without it.
Excellent with the Parks Cinmag 3440A step-up now at $289 unless you can find used.
After hearing I would not run a low output MC without a step-up.

That Peerless is an ugly little puppy but probably sounds good if it matches the Cart correctly.

[WireNut]

If you're getting good results with the 120E and just want more detail, get an ATN150MLX stylus and you'll get a lot more detail and all kinds of harmonic texture and all that good audiofool stuff and they're < $200 at Amazon. 

I didn't realize I could put a better stylus on my AT120E 

If you Vista is a Mk I, then you could just buy a MkII for less than the SUT and you could then use any cartridge you want without any other external parts.  Gain adjustable in 5db increments from 40-70 db.

I like the idea of the Vista MK2 with adjustable gain up to 70 db 

Don't know if the MK2 would be better then my Vista ACLE unit. I've never taken it apart and looked under the hood.

Good choice on the dynavector 10x5. Not sure if it would be loud enough at 2.5mV, my AT120E is 5.0mV. 
I don't think my Vista ACLE unit is gain adjustable

[S Clark]

Good choice on the dynavector 10x5. Not sure if it would be loud enough at 2.5mV, my AT120E is 5.0mV. 
I don't think my Vista ACLE unit is gain adjustable

I've used it with both generations of Vista with no problem.   Also, I suspect that Boris can change a resistor to match the early version to the 10x5.  I had him match the generation II version to that cartridge when I ordered it.   

[bacobits1]

I too ran a Dyna 10X5 with the Vista II it was a nice match at 54db gain and 1k loading I think it was.
The key is the adjust-ability on the Phono you can fine tune things.
Boris can certainly change your current Vista to what is required. Jackd has more than one.

[WireNut]

I too ran a Dyna 10X5 with the Vista II it was a nice match at 54db gain and 1k loading I think it was.
The key is the adjust-ability on the Phono you can fine tune things.
Boris can certainly change your current Vista to what is required. Jackd has more than one.

I just sent Boris an email about being able to adjust my ACLE unit when I purchase a new cartridge.

[pumpkinman]

neobop a question ??

Tell me would a Goldring 1012 be a good match for the arm of his JVC ??

[neobop]

neobop a question ??

Tell me would a Goldring 1012 be a good match for the arm of his JVC ??

I don't know the compliance of the Goldring, but max VTF is 2.5g.  It should be a good match.
neo

[pumpkinman]

I don't know the compliance of the Goldring, but max VTF is 2.5g.  It should be a good match.
neo

Frequency Response   20Hz-20kHz3dB
Channel Balance   2dB @ 1kHz
Channel Separation   25dB @ 1kHz
Sensitivity   6.5mV1.5dB, 1kHz @ 5 cm/sec
Static Compliance   24mm/N lat., 16mm/N vert
Equivalent tip mass   0.45 mg
Vertical Tracking Angle   24
Stylus Radius   Gyger II
Stylus Type   Replaceable
Load Resistance   47,000 Ohm
Load Capacitance   150-200pF
Internal Inductance   570 mH
Internal Resistance   660 Ohm
Cartridge Weight   6.3g
Fixing Centre   0.5? (12.7mm)
Playing Weight   1.5-2.0g (1.7g nom.)

[bajaed]

In my rig with 100 tube wpc, I feel like I need 50-55 db of gain with my 10x5. Running it at 55db and  sounds great. Would not go any higher.

[neobop]

I just sent Boris an email about being able to adjust my ACLE unit when I purchase a new cartridge.

I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you're going to try different carts you should consider a MKII.   If you're thinking of getting just one cart that's better than your 120 and you're disappointed, you'd have to send it back in for another adjustment.  That's no way to start cart rolling.

While on the subject of carts that are better, I think a 120/150 will beat a 10X5 all day long.  The 10X isn't bad and you might like the MC soundstage thing, but a 120/150 has better detail/resolution and it's faster with more finesse.  I have a 440 which is the same body as the 120 and with a boron/ML you're going to have to go higher to outperform your cart.  Maybe a Blackbird will give it some competition.  I'm not sure about that one, but I don't think so.  I suspect it would be a sideways move at best.  That's about it for HOMC.  They tend to be a dead end because the high output means big coils attached to the cantilever/armature and they're too slow with too much tip mass.  Blackbird has a boron cantilever, but so does the 150.

There are some LOMC you might like better, but you're looking at a lot more money, a whole lot more.  Buying used MCs is taking a chance on a cart w/o user replaceable stylus.
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATN150MLX-Replacement-Stylus/dp/B0008JID7U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405200483&sr=1-1&keywords=audio+technica+at+150mlx+stylus

neo