[Mariusz]

To all analog junkies,
What is the value of this combination on used market and is it any good/bad ???
Arm recommendations also welcome. I have Moarch Up 4 right now but am open for suggestions.

Thanks

[Mariusz]

No one can help the brother out........come on guys  , don't be shy.
I can have both in good condition but am not sure if the price is right.

[doug s.]

i have no idea what a fair price for this is.  nor have i heard ortofon's spendy spreads.  but, i can say that i have been so happy w/my ortofon mc25-fl, that i have never mounted my lyra clavis, w/vandenhul re-tip, (courtesy of klaus bunge).

doug s.

[Mariusz]

Thanks for reply Doug,
could you please try to describe the sound. I can have this cart and up transformer for $600 but I am a little worry if it is any good. Can you help me make a decision???

[doug s.]

Thanks for reply Doug,
could you please try to describe the sound. I can have this cart and up transformer for $600 but I am a little worry if it is any good. Can you help me make a decision???

the mc25fl, (retailed for ~$225 when i bought it; i think it is more now), is neutral & detailed.  it replaced a sumiko blue point special, which i enjoyed, but never knew how congested it was, until i installed the mc25fl.  folks have told me i will get better soundstaging when i install my re-built lyra clavis, but the soundstaging on the 25 isn't at all shabby.  i would think $600 for the mc2000 plus its matching step-up is a good deal, assuming there are still lotsa hours left on the cartridge...

doug s.

[Mariusz]

I am told that this cart was very lightly used (dealer's spare cart) the fact that it comes with matching up-t is also very important to me since from very little reading that I did about this cartridge , it seems that it isn't the easiest cart for an averedge phono amp and its success lays in the matched up-t which must be as quiet as possible due to noise that can transmit by inferior phono.  I have read that one of the Stereophile's reviewers was in love with this cart but complained about its excessive noise if not used with Ortofon's own up-transformer. Since he wants to sell the cart with up-t it is quite tempting and maybe worth a try.

Ones again Thanks for the input on this matter           

Mariusz, S.

[doug s.]

I am told that this cart was very lightly used (dealer's spare cart) the fact that it comes with matching up-t is also very important to me since from very little reading that I did about this cartridge , it seems that it isn't the easiest cart for an averedge phono amp and its success lays in the matched up-t which must be as quiet as possible due to noise that can transmit by inferior phono.  I have read that one of the Stereophile's reviewers was in love with this cart but complained about its excessive noise if not used with Ortofon's own up-transformer. Since he wants to sell the cart with up-t it is quite tempting and maybe worth a try.

Ones again Thanks for the input on this matter           

Mariusz, S.

is dealer local?  he should offer an in your rig.  yes, ortofon lo-output mc's really are low output.  gordon rankin of wavelength audio told me my mc25fl is really ~0.3mv, not 0.5mv as adwertized....  i was querying him about using it w/one of his earlier tube fono stages, rated as being able to handle 0.5mv cartridges, & he said it was not up to the task...

doug s.

[Mister Pig]

I have heard this cartridge on a couple of occasions. But it was sooo many years ago.

The cart retailed for 1K, as did the step up. That was in the late 80's early 90's.

AS I recall, the system excelled at detail retrieval. Was considered one of the finer cartridges of the day. Did not have the sweetness as a Koetsu Rosewood, or many of the low production Japanese cartridges.

If condition can be verified, I would buy it. Don't remember the compliance numbers, but I suspect it would be happiest in one of the higher mass arms, which was typical of low output MC's of that era.

Also look into re-tipping options. I would think that any of the 2000/3000 series of Ortofons would be a long term keeper.

Regards
Mister Pig

[Mariusz]

Got yaa. Thanks so much for the pointers and price info. I can ask this dealer to mount it on one of his tables and  listen  to it this Friday. Tip looked OK but retiping can be costly I assume?? How about Soundsmith services....? can they help if needed or where can new clavis be found for this particular cartridge?

Doug, cool gallery