New cartrdrige for MMF-5 or just stylus GLDD012GX ?

Hoots · « **on:** 31 Oct 2007, 06:52 pm »

Any recommendations?

My Goldring 101 2GX stylus rides low and has lost it's stiffness. I feel I need either:

1. a new stylus: $160-$225 new GLDD012GX OR D42 seems like an upgrade and will fit

2. a new cartridge: the same 101 2GX lists for $300

3. a different new cartridge -- suggestions?

4. a whole new setup -- my perception is that a notable upgrade would be over $1k to something like the SCOUT so I may delay that purchase.

I listen mostly to used rock lps but also new 200g rock and will be buying some 45 rpm BLUE NOTE re-issue jaz lps.

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 09:29 pm »

Well,

as the official Audio Technica AT440MLa pimp, I must chime in here

!!! That little $89 MM will do wonders, when set up properly. I'm sure the "other pimp" will also chime in with his favorite brand. Both are high on my list.

Wayner aa

linkweewee · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 10:20 pm »

Listen to the AT pimp.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 11:17 pm »

For an MMF-5, this pimp says go for the At440MLa, too. There's just a lot to that cartridge for $89...remarkable, really, in this day and age.

Now if it was a fluid damped arm I'd have to give the nod to the wonderful Grado (Black thru Gold), however...

John

twitch54 · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Nov 2007, 01:52 pm »

I'll chime in and vote for #3......... a Benz Micro 'Ace' in your choice of output, the lower the better IMo, if you have the phono-pre with enough gain.

I used this cartridge for sometime in my previous TT (Music Hall mmf-9) and couldn't have been happier !! I listen to damn near everything; Classical, Jazz, Blues, 60/70's rock, you name it.......... except NO 'Rap Crap' !!

Hoots · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Nov 2007, 01:18 am »

I listened to the Audio Technica on a Rega p3 and thought it sounded like the treble was boosted...but it did track well. The other cart I heard on that same table was a SURE that is popular which sounded more balanced to me.

I purchased the Goldring D42 stylus for my Music Hall MMF-5 which is an upgrade and plugs onto the Goldring cartridge that came stock. This is supposed to be a top performing MM stylus and it is plug and play in seconds. So far I love the sound. I can't really compare it to all the other options but I'm very happy with my turntable and cartridge.

The D42 was a modest premium over the stock stylus, plug & play, I needed a new one, and it got great reviews as a top performing MM cartridge so I gave it a shot. I'm happy with my turntable and think my next upgrade would be to a $1500+ setup instead of trying options in the sub $1k range.

Wayner · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Nov 2007, 10:00 am »

A Rega has no VTA adjustment so any cartridge not fitted properly would probably sound trebly. I have a P3, RB300 combo with an AT440MLa in it and I did shim it up about 1/32".

Good your happy with your set up. I think it takes a while (and money) to find the right table/cartridge combo that will keep the smile going.

Happy turkey day.

Wayner

Hoots · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Nov 2007, 04:03 am »

The P3 I heard also had a shim for VTA... any other setup suggestions? The Michael Fremer setup video was one of the references used when setting up the Rega.