[Brad]

I've been using an AT440mla cart on the stock arm.
Still having hum issues and want to try a MC cartridge.

I am considering

Dynavector 10x5 or dv-20xh
Benz ACE
Ortofon OC9ML

Is it worth putting a $4-600ish cart on this table?   

I will either get a Dynavector phono stage or use the built in stage of an Audio Mirror PP-1 preamp.

[Wayner]

If you have hum issues on your Empire, you have a defective AT. I recently purchased 2 cartridges that hummed, that I blamed on the table, only to find out thru the AC that Audio Technica had a bad batch of cartridges. Go to the AT website and find the section on warranty issues. They will take your old cartridge (if its a hummer) and give you a new one. You will be happy.


To contact the A.T.U.S. Service Department:
Tel: 330-686-2600 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern time)
Fax: 330-688-3752
E-mail: repair@atus.com


Wayner 

[Brad]

...but that's not as much fun as getting something NEW 

I will go ahead and pursue the repair, but still interested to hear if anyone has had good results
with an MC cart on the Empire.
 

[doug s.]

i used a lomc on an empire 208 w/excellent results.  (ortofon mc25 fl)  but, this model is the older non-suspended empire.  and, i used two different tonearms - a wintage grado wood arm, and a more modern, but unconwentional rs labs rs-a1 arm.  so... ymmv...  but, i would expect excellent results; i think the empires are competitive w/modern decks that cost a lot more...

doug s.

[TheChairGuy]

Brad,

The ATOC9ML is a low output cartridge...so you can take that one off the list (now, wasn't that easy? )

The Denon DL-160 HOMC can be found for $179.00 and does a lot of things right.  I have not heard the stock version, mine came used but with a new vdH stylus profile and zooted up boron cantilever.  It's quite nice.

I actually like the Ortofon X5-MC, 2.0 millivolt moving coil, better than the Denon (more luxurious sounding with a very kind treble sounds)...but, at US$400 it's not quite the screaming recommendation it once was at $200 around town.  It needs lotsa' gain to sound fleshed out on the bottom...otherwise it can sound limp.  My current phono stage is 39db and line is 21db....it is now enough to juice it fully.

The prior preamp had a total of about 54db and it was weak kneed driving it.

Except for the Turbo models of high output moving coils from Ortofon (which are 3.3mv), most of them have voltages south of 2.5mv.  Without a preamp of sufficient gain, many can sound limp in your system.

Food for thought...Ciao, John

[Brad]

Thanks John,

I should have just put MC in the description.  Usually the LOMCs are quite a bit higher in $
The Audio Mirror preamp has 60db of gain in MC mode and is rated down to .2mv
I saw one of the Ortofons on 'gon for a decent price, so added it to the list.