[djEmpire]

What are some of you using for a pure and revealing phono system. A cartridge that details the warmest and dark sounds of a gorgeous vinyl track regardless of genre. Music needs to presents itself unadulterated.  Let's keep the cartridge in the sub $5-600 range.

System -
2 Technics 1200Mk2
Bryston 4B Cubed
Moon Neo 350P Preamp
Oppo 105 DAC
Bryston Model T

[andyr]

What are some of you using for a pure and revealing phono system. ...  Let's keep the cartridge in the sub $5-600 range.

Ummm, I suggest "pure and revealing" and "sub $500-600" ... is an oxymoron! 

Also, don't forget that the phono stage that the cart is feeding also has dramatic influence on the sound.


Andy

[G Georgopoulos]

vinyl to beat digital? in specs? no chance! even if you spend $$$$$$,it's all marketing hype,vinyl has a different sound (more natural) captured even with cheap gear,dont believe these guys who say you have to spend $$$$$$ to beat digital,$500 dollars for a cartridge is my max too,although i prefer cheaper solutions,
anyway that's mho,good luck...

[andyr]

vinyl to beat digital? in specs? no chance! even if you spend $$$$$$,it's all marketing hype,vinyl has a different sound (more natural) captured even with cheap gear,dont believe these guys who say you have to spend $$$$$$ to beat digital,$500 dollars for a cartridge is my max too,although i prefer cheaper solutions,
anyway that's mho,good luck...

Where do you get the idea that the OP wants to 'beat digital', George?   

As I see it, he just wants recommendations for a good cart in the $5-600 range (although he mentioned 'high end phono system" - which I was responding to).


Andy

[G Georgopoulos]

Where do you get the idea that the OP wants to 'beat digital', George?   

Andy

there is no other way to think of it,if you spend $$$$ on a cartridge and not beat digital is money wasted in my book,considering you can't beat with it a $50 cd player,revealing and all that bull**** is totaly marketing hype,i have infact beaten cd subjectively with a $50 cartridge and a vinyl system all my own...

not many people make vinyl systems nowdays,you have vinyl components incompatible,i see it here on ac all the time folks having problems,i put my money where it matters (ie speakers) instead of a $$$$ cartridge etc

Andy,not disrespect mate,we're all friend here on ac,just difference of opinion...

kind regards

[dB Cooper]

 

[andyr]

Andy,not disrespect mate,we're all friend here on ac,just difference of opinion...

kind regards

Absolutely, George!   

there is no other way to think of it,if you spend $$$$ on a cartridge and not beat digital is money wasted in my book,considering you can't beat with it a $50 cd player,revealing and all that bull**** is totaly marketing hype,i have infact beaten cd subjectively with a $50 cartridge and a vinyl system all my own...

kind regards

My difference of opinion is because I rarely listen to digital (except for a digital tuner) - my world is vinyl!     So I am totally uninterested in 'beating digital' - I just want the best vinyl playback, I can afford.   

That being said, i have recently jumped feet first into the 'digital pool' by replacing my 3-way analogue active XOs with a miniDSP unit, in conjunction with adding a pair of subs - and am totally rapt with the result.   


Andy

[Phil_S]

We have the same turntable so...For me the objective is to peal away the layers between the music and the equipment.  I started with a stock 1200 SL MK3 and added the KAB fluid damper and thick mat (helped with VTA).  At the time I was running a cheep Grado Black which was $40 15 years ago.  The upgrade to an AT120e made a huge difference, quite an improvement in frequency response, soundstage, etc. 

I then rewired the tonearm with Cardas wiring, another big change for the better,  It was like another veil had been lifted.  With very low signal strength, wires DO make a difference! 

The last change was to upgrade the stylus to the AT125LC.  This was a stylus change replacing an elliptical with a line contact profile.  This again was a large change for the better, more like lifting a blanket than a veil.

It's now time to replace the stylus/cartridge.  I'd like to keep it under $300.  My options seem to be:
Upgrade the stylus to an AT140ML
Upgrade the Cartridge to an  AT150 variant within my price range
Or any of the following lines within the price range; Ortophon Blue, Nagaoka 150

Good luck with your search.

[thorman]

Pick up a Vintage Shure M91ED off Ebay with or without cartridge and then go to LP Gear and buy a Jico SAS replacement Stylus.....You should easily be in the $300-$400 when finished. Don't let anyone fool you, this is an awesome combo for very little Green......I have both M91ED and V15VXmr both with Jico SAS and they sound very similar with the M91ED being a touch warmer.......At that price point you can't do much better.....

[paul79]

I would get the best Hana Cartridge you can afford. HOMC or MC, Shibata or Eliptical Stylus versions available. These cartridges are absolute monsters for their price points.

With the Technics Headshell, you will need a bit more mass to make them happy. The KAB Headshell Weight and some longer headshell bolts will do nicely.

[Wayner]

AT440MLb.

Grado Gold1

[misterclean]

In your price range, it is going to be hard to beat one of the great vintage MM cartridges. One of the very best is the Audio Technica Signet TK7LCa. I have one for sale in excellent condition and it sounds amazing, better than many cartridges I have had, including some highly regarded MC cartridges. The only reason I am selling is that I moved up a notch to an ART-9, which is marginally better at more than twice the price. For less than $500, I haven't heard anything that can beat the Signet TK7LCa.

[twitch54]

there is no other way to think of it,if you spend $$$$ on a cartridge and not beat digital is money wasted in my book,considering you can't beat with it a $50 cd player,revealing and all that bull**** is totaly marketing hype,i have infact beaten cd subjectively with a $50 cartridge and a vinyl system all my own...

not many people make vinyl systems nowdays,you have vinyl components incompatible,i see it here on ac all the time folks having problems,i put my money where it matters (ie speakers) instead of a $$$$ cartridge etc

Andy,not disrespect mate,we're all friend here on ac,just difference of opinion...

kind regards

George,

using the word 'beat' puts you squarely in the camp of the uninformed and which those of us that have been seriously into this crazy hobby would NEVER take you serious.

Simply put and purely factual BOTH formats excel when done correctly ......no if's and's or but's !!

as for your $50 cart 'beating' my digital front end ....no way !

[undertow]

George,

using the word 'beat' puts you squarely in the camp of the uninformed and which those of us that have been seriously into this crazy hobby would NEVER take you serious.

Simply put and purely factual BOTH formats excel when done correctly ......no if's and's or but's !!

as for your $50 cart 'beating' my digital front end ....no way !

I believe he was pointing out that a $50 dollar cartridge can beat out a $50 dollar CD player which no doubt is very possible as it all comes down to how good the recording/pressing actually is in the first place.

"there is no other way to think of it,if you spend $$$$ on a cartridge and not beat digital is money wasted in my book,considering you can't beat it with a $50 cd player,revealing and all that bull**** is totaly marketing hype,i have infact beaten cd subjectively with a $50 cartridge and a vinyl system all my own..."

[Letitroll98]

And I think we should give George a bit of a break here.  Sure he's ruffled feathers here and there, but he's so obviously trying to reform.  He says please and thank you, sort of, blanks out his swear words, and is generally kinder in his posts.  I think we should reward good behavior rather than stick with a possibly outdated viewpoint.  Of course I could be wrong...  Anyway, thanks George for taking feedback as a chance to be better.

[G Georgopoulos]

And I think we should give George a bit of a break here. 

thanks Letitroll98

fact of life,you can't convince them all,can anyone?...

[djEmpire]

All great suggestions!
I found a local deal for a AT ML150 OCC. I'll post some updates on its performance.

[djEmpire]

I picked up the AT ML150/OCC cart but haven't had the opportunity to audition it. I just found out my preamp doesn't have a phono stage! 
I never used a Beryllium and MicroLine stylus. The progressive rock and alternative 80's music should sound a bit more dynamic considering the vintage/recordings. In any case, the specs look decent. I took some pics of the hard copy to share for any comments or concerns folks may have.

[woodsyi]

thanks Letitroll98

fact of life,you can't convince them all,can anyone?...

GG,

Digital has more dynamic range theoretically but that does not equate to "better" sound.  Some of us like the presentation of vinyl within its range more than digital.  It's like a muscle car that can go 160 MPH with a clunky transmission vs a refined car with smooth transmission that can only go 120 MPH.   Some prefer smooth ride: others, thrill of breakneck speed.   

It's a preference thing.  So, let's not get into convincing why your preference is better than that of another. 



And don't crap on other peoples post.   

[twitch54]

I believe he was pointing out that a $50 dollar cartridge can beat out a $50 dollar CD player which no doubt is very possible as it all comes down to how good the recording/pressing actually is in the first place.

"there is no other way to think of it,if you spend $$$$ on a cartridge and not beat digital is money wasted in my book,considering you can't beat it with a $50 cd player,revealing and all that bull**** is totaly marketing hype,i have infact beaten cd subjectively with a $50 cartridge and a vinyl system all my own..."

gotcha .......