[scottyb]

I currently have a Linn Adikt mm cartridge on my LP12. I want to upgrade to a mc. Something better than the Adikt.

I was thinking about a Benz Ace. Anyone have experience with the Ace on the LP12? Any other suggestions on a budget?

[doorman]

I'm using a Clearaudio ArumBeta S, on my Ittok LVll.
MM, but works well with that arm. Oh, it makes music too!
                                                                         Don

[TheChairGuy]

Or, you could just buy the $50 AT cartridge that the Clearaudio cartridge is based upon......sobering....sorry to bust your enthusiastic bubble of the Aurum Beta S

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=33203.0

[Bob Attiyeh]

Dear Scotty,

Greetings! My favorite cartridge for this turntable is the Helikon SL.  I wrote more about this here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=36620.0

However this doesn't fit into the budget arena.  Frankly, my favorite lower priced cartridge for this turntable is the Grado Gold Moving Iron.  It is not fancy, but way outperforms its price. 

Will you let me know what you finally decide?

Happy cartridge hunting!

Bob

Bob Attiyeh
Yarlung Records
www.yarlungrecords.com

[TONEPUB]

Sorry to give you another out of the budget cartridge, but the new
Lyra Argo-i, is also fantastic on the LP-12!!

I had pretty good luck with the Sumiko Blackbird too...

[zybar]

How about the Benz Glider?

I also liked the Grado Sonata or Platinum wood bodies.

These were my main catridges for the 10 yrs or so that I used my LP12.

George

[doorman]

No "bubbles bursted" here, chairguy. Just a suggestion, not a rave endorsement!
                                                                                     Don

[lcrim]

scottyb:
Take a look @ this link:
http://stores.ebay.com/William-s-Stylus-Shop
This guy is in Germany but he ships quickly and inexpensively to the states.  His reputation is very good, I would order from him w/o qualms.  He stocks among others the very low output (0.18 mV) Denon DL-304 which has the same mass, 7 gms, as your Adikt.  The gain necessary at the phono section may be problematic.  Unlike its stablemate, the very popular Denon DL-103, it tracks at a much lower tracking force of 1.2g.  It has a very good reputation.  The price is $333 +$14 shipping.
Check around on his site, some of his prices are astounding, others less so.  I don't know which arm you have on your LP-12 or your phono section so that may change things.

[sharper]

Scotty,
        I'd second the vote for a Clearaudio. I had the Adikt on my LP12 and did not like it. I bought it hoping it would be like the old Linn K9; it wasn't. I also, for a year or two, had the medium-output Benz Wood MC and thought it was dull and boring. Best of all was the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM. Tremendously musical. Phono stages were CJ15 and Pass Ono.

Scott

[toobluvr]

Scotty,
        I'd second the vote for a Clearaudio. I had the Adikt on my LP12 and did not like it. I bought it hoping it would be like the old Linn K9; it wasn't. I also, for a year or two, had the medium-output Benz Wood MC and thought it was dull and boring. Best of all was the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM. Tremendously musical. Phono stages were CJ15 and Pass Ono.

Scott

I use the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM with an SME V + Townshend Rock mk3 setup.  It is a wonderful cartridge, reasonably priced, and well deserving of all the positive reviews.

[lcrim]

Found another MC cartridge that might be a better fit, the Denon DL-301II available @
http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Home,+Portable+Audio_Cartridges/product/Denon_DL-301II_Moving_Coil_Cartridge.html
Higher output -.4 mV than the DL-304 and considerably cheaper $259 plus $12 shipping to the US.  I'm thinking of picking one up myself, it's a very nice budget MC.  Tracks @ 1.4 gms + or - .2 gms, decent compliance and the most important thing its noted for playing music.

[shep]

I don't know anyone is paying attention but the link above is a serious, major score. Hard to find carts. and really good prices. Some of the Audio technica's are great scores.

[lcrim]

I should add that AudioCubes can take a while sometimes with shipping stuff from Japan.  Sometimes its very prompt and occassionally not.  I think they drop ship most everything so if its in stock with their supplier you get it quickly.  Very reputable firm though.

[shep]

May I suggest putting this link somewhere per menant, for reference, before it gets lost in the pile. The question of where to get good carts comes up time and again. Looking thru this site I am again impressed. The choice of carts is very judicious. Whoever runs it knows their stuff and knows that you don't have to mortgage the house and sell the wife into slavery to pay for great sound. Some where, a long while ago, I read about a visit to the Audio Technica factory. No old men carving cart. bodies out of ancient Saki barrels. Lab. conditions, meticulous attention to detail. AT has the best sample to sample variation, year in year out. Some of their models have been around for 25 years! (Denon too). If my memory serves me right, their prices have hardly moved either in all that time. The ML150 (they seem to have up-graded it) is one of the best mm's ever made. Personally I don't like Grados. Why? They are forever changing models; adding. I've had 4 and three of them had to be returned. The AT 33 mc series, (again this is from memory) is one of the best kept secrets of the industry. I knew a hi-end dealer in Zurich who refused to sell anything but AT, in spite of having clients with more money than sense. If this sounds like I'm a dealer or something, rest assured i 'm not!

[lcrim]

shep:
The ability to comparison shop via the internet has driven a cultural change in how goods and services are provided.  But nothing stays the same for very long.
I will certainly attempt to offer the sites and deals I have found and if others follow, it would be valuable to check this board when looking for what's available.  But I do have my preferences and not everyone shares them.  I need to be politic in my statements so as not to aggravate those who see it differently.  A sticky with these sites could be provided but I think it would be out of date quickly.  Thats my read but you may be right.

[shep]

 aa gotcha.

[TheChairGuy]

shep, I've not tried the 150MLX...but have thought about it a bit.  They sell for $299.00 at J&RMusic here in US...but they are known to match prices if call customer service and speak to someone (rather than ordering via online).  So, I'd think they'd match Audiocubes price if ordering from Japan isn't a comfortable option for you.

But, I don't think you're in US - right?  You're in France?

I've also seen somebody on ebay (US) hawking AT150ti models...supposed it's the 150 model 'motor', but with substitution of titanium cantilever instead of more expensive gold evaporated boron.  I think it was only $150 or $180 for that model.

btw, I've only had one transaction with Audiocubes, an AT headshell, and it was fast and efficient.  They are a sponsor over at HeadFi.org I think...so they have lots of credibility based on that large following over there.

[mfsoa]

Mr. Chair,
I saw the AT150 MLX for $260 at J&R, accessed through Amazon, FYI.

Or you can spend $399 at Needledoctor.

[TheChairGuy]

Mr. Chair,
I saw the AT150 MLX for $260 at J&R, accessed through Amazon, FYI.

Or you can spend $399 at Needledoctor.

ohhhh, I was doing it from memory.  They may have changed pricing in past few months...or I was thinking of their ATOC9( pricing that was $299.00).

whichever.....