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If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?

50.53.150.94
Posted on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44
ppopp
Audiophile

Posts: 2994
Location: OR
Joined: October 10, 2002

Not including your current cartridge.

Current rig - Sansui SR-313. Stock.
It replaced a 2008 VPI Scout.

Dearly departed:
Gyrodec(Orbed)/SME Serives IV, QC Power Supply + Damping Trough
Pioneer PL12D
Dual CS505-1

Ortofon MC30 Supreme. Tracked like a bloodhound, sweet midrange, high frequency detail like only an Ortofon MC can do (without going into silly money).

Go-on, post a pic..

 

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this one..., posted on January 27, 2015 at 15:47:03
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001

dee
;-D

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

This one . . ., posted on January 27, 2015 at 16:04:29
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014



Grace F9E









Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: Now and then, posted on January 27, 2015 at 16:13:02
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005



I didn't have the gain or the cash for it then. Good things come to he who waits.

 

RE: This one . . ., posted on January 27, 2015 at 16:26:34
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005






Here's a modern take on that one.

 

Miyabi 47..., posted on January 27, 2015 at 16:35:12
kuma
Audiophile

Posts: 10273
Location: IN
Joined: July 8, 2001

 

RE: Now and then, posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:02:58
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I had one of those with the matching T-2000 step-up transformer. It would be my favorite cartridge, too. I played mine for 10-years in a SME III tonearm.

How do you like yours?

Best regards,
John Elison

 

RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?, posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:10:32
geoff
Audiophile

Posts: 3502
Joined: April 5, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 10, 2003
 Supex SM100 mm, just to hear if it sounds as nice as I remember.

 

I'll second that!.....nt, posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:13:02
Phil_S
Audiophile

Posts: 1145
Location: Washington DC
Joined: July 17, 2003
 nt

 

RE: Now and then, posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:32:20
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
 It's more resolving and generally more satisfying than the ART7. However even with 76db gain from Pass XP-25(loaded at 20-50R) there is excessive noise through a tube line stage that puts a limit on volume and dynamics. I suppose I need to keep an eye open for that matching step-up trannie...

 

Lord that's ugly,, posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:32:34
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11689
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
 I hope it's a long time before I have to replace the F9E stylus assembly on my Grace cart with one of those things (sorry, Peter).

Good to know it's available, though.

 

+1! , posted on January 27, 2015 at 17:39:06
Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001
 I heard that cart on a Linn LP-12 valhala/ittok II combo, into a step up of unknown origin, a C-j PV-1 pre, bryston 4B, Janis sub/Maggie combo. Ah memories hearing Mike Oldfield (tubular bells) and some Synergy/Larry Fast.

Dman
Analog Junkie

 

Maybe this one ..., posted on January 27, 2015 at 18:17:34
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010

Dean.



reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

Shelter 501 II n/t, posted on January 27, 2015 at 18:47:05
valvesonly
Audiophile

Posts: 755
Location: Ontario
Joined: May 27, 2005
 nt
.
must..NOT..resist..."upgraditis"

 

RE: Has to include my current cartridge so I guess I can't play, posted on January 27, 2015 at 19:24:58
amioutaline?
 I've had a lot of the "affordables"

DV 10x5, CA VIrtuoso Wood, Benz Ace L, Grado Sonata; father back, Talisman DTi, Shure M97 and V15 III, Several Ortofons.

The bottom of the line ZYX R50 just slays them all. Not close.

 

Do you still have the tweaked MP1?, posted on January 27, 2015 at 20:01:03
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 I guesstimated that I get ~80db phono gain with the modified hybrid cascode input. And I am looking eternally for an MC2000, with the notion that the modified MP1 phono stage can handle it with no SUT.

 

RE: Now and then, posted on January 27, 2015 at 20:12:44
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 The T-2000 has a turns ratio of 1:56 and it worked well with the MM phono stage in my Yamaha C-2x preamp, which had 35-dB gain. I got no audible noise that I can remember.

The Bob's Devices CM-1131 SUT has a turns-ratio of 1:40. It might work equally well with the MC-2000. A turns-ratio of 1:40 is only 3-dB less than 1:56.

I'm kind of surprised you are getting excessive noise with your Pass Labs XP-25. I own the XOno, which supposedly has 75-dB maximum gain and I get no noise with my DL-S1. I know that my DL-S1 has 3-times the rated output as your MC-2000, but based on its 40-Ω DC coil resistance in conjunction with my 20-Ω loading configuration, the results should be about the same.

Phono Stage Output = (Phono Stage Gain) x (Rated Cartridge Output) x (Phono Stage Load) ÷ [(Phono Stage Load) + (Cartridge DC Coil Resistance)]

76-dB = 6310-gain
75-dB = 5623-gain

MC-2000 / XP-25 Output = 6310 x 50-µV x 50-Ω ÷ (50-Ω + 3-Ω) = 298-mV

DL-S1 / XOno Output = 5623 x 150-µV x 20-Ω ÷ (20-Ω + 40-Ω) = 281-mV

I wonder if cartridge age might have reduced the MC-2000's output voltage or increased its coil resistance, or both? The only other option is that your XP-25 is rather noisy or else your tube line-stage is noisy. Anyway, I would think you should be getting excellent performance with your MC-2000 using 76-dB gain.

Best regards,
John Elison

PS. Something else just occurred to me. I wonder if the magnet in the MC-2000 has lost some of it magnetism over the years. If you have a test record with a 5-cm/s 1000-Hz test tone, you might want to measure the output from the MC-2000. You can measure it at the output of the XP-25.

 

RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?, posted on January 27, 2015 at 20:35:33
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4310
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 Easy the Technics EPC 100 MK4. It sounds super and it even measures super, a moving magnet that goes out to 80 KHz. It's dynamic and yet sounds effortless. And with the help of a good man who refurbished the suspension on mine I have it back again.

The other pickup I'd like to hear and this subject reminds me to get it out of decades old storage is a Decca 4RC. The sense of life and attack in a properly used Decca was awesome. I wonder if it's still true. It wouldn't surprise me if it were.

 

That's easy --- You can still buy a new one today..., posted on January 27, 2015 at 20:38:07
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004

 

RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?, posted on January 27, 2015 at 23:32:43
ruxtonvet
Audiophile

Posts: 527
Location: maryland
Joined: September 25, 2004
 ADC XLM in an SME low mass arm. Showing MY age.

 

Noise, posted on January 28, 2015 at 02:16:48
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
 Thanks. The XP-25 is dead quiet at 76db. The noise is slight tube rush from the AtmaSphere MP-1 as the volume control is cranked up for the MC2000's miniscule output. It's fine at a normal listening levels. Allowing for this small issue, I wouldn't characterize the MC2000's performance as anything but excellent.

 

RE: Do you still have the tweaked MP1?, posted on January 28, 2015 at 02:30:20
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
 Yes. You should be fine with MC2000 into the hybrid cascode. I haven't tried it only because for XP-25 I've transitioned to RCA terminations on the straight-shot tonearm cable. One of these days I'm going to replace the MP-1 XLR phono inputs with RCA.

BTW, the L07D recently lost speed stability. Whew, replacing all electrolytics fixed it. It had taken nigh on a year for Allied to get stock from UK of Howard's recommended PS reservoir caps. While I was in there I replaced the germanium diodes with Schottky.

 

I have to echo "amioutaline?'s" sentiment..., posted on January 28, 2015 at 05:51:08
Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001
 I would have to say my current cart, as it is the best I've ever had on ANY table in my lifetime (so far!)-

Ortofon Kontrpunkt A with Sound Smith Ruby Cantilever and Nude Contact Line Diamond Stylus (or, as we say around here, the "Level Two" mod).

Dynamic, crystal clear, tracks amazingly, doesn't "sound" like a record- just sounds like music...

Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie

 

RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?, posted on January 28, 2015 at 08:24:12
abs1
 My Supex SD901E Super would probably be the first choice. I had it mounted on a Technics SL1200 and thought it was pretty damn good at the time (around 1978).

I'd like to be able to try it against my current VPI Gen.1 Traveler w/Denon DL-103r, but alas.........

Cheers,
Al

 

None of them..., posted on January 28, 2015 at 09:09:52
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005
 Hi, ppopp,
I'm currently using the best cartridges I've ever owned and there isn't a single cartridge from the past that I'd even consider using with one of my turntables.

I'm not going to win, am I?

Tom

 

Ortofon SL 15 Mk II, posted on January 28, 2015 at 09:50:18
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Only because I'd like to see if the Ortofon is as good as I remember it. It had an extremely low output of 0.015 mV, but I still have the Supex SDT-77 transformers I used to step it up with.

I have fond sonic memories of that cartridge UPS lost when it was sent off to Ortofon for a re-tip, some thirty-five years ago.

 

RE: )tn( .ton er'ouy, On , posted on January 28, 2015 at 10:30:13
amioutaline?

 

Sumiko Low Output Talisman S, posted on January 28, 2015 at 10:48:21
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 It does everything right. I still have it an it is very possible that I might get it re-tipped.

Dave

 

I am with you on that one, posted on January 28, 2015 at 10:50:46
richardl
Audiophile

Posts: 3555
Joined: September 5, 2002
 none of my past cartridges are even close to the one that I am using. Probably too many years of Shure V15VxMR which was good but not at all dynamic and detailed as well as a bit rolled off on top.

 

Decca 4RC or Mk. V, posted on January 28, 2015 at 12:46:43
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 I had a Decca 4RC back in 1972 in a Rabco ST-4. After a couple years, I replaced it with a Decca Mk. V which I used in a homemade pivoted arm. Both sounded fantastic (although the unpredictable mistracking could be annoying).

I would be really curious to hear how the Deccas would sound today in a top flight tonearm. I am sure I never heard their full potential.

 

Thanks John ...., posted on January 28, 2015 at 13:04:55
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13134
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 I only posted the AT because the OP said present cartridge not included.

I am very pleased with my DL-S1... although a bit more output would be nice. ;-)

Dean.






reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

Miyabi Standard, no question NT, posted on January 28, 2015 at 13:22:50
jnr
Reviewer

Posts: 2164
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Joined: April 5, 2000
 .
theaudiobeatnik.com

 

KIipsch Moving Coil w/Ruby Cantilever, posted on January 28, 2015 at 16:54:26
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I forget who made it for Klipsch but it was nice.


E
T

ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose?, posted on January 28, 2015 at 17:15:24
DeeCee
Audiophile

Posts: 769
Joined: July 6, 2001
 I'd be kinda curious what my old Signet TK7e cart would sound like on my current system - at least for fun!

It was pretty accurate and each cartridge came with spec reports signed by the tech that produced them.

 

RE: this one..., posted on January 29, 2015 at 18:31:32
goldenthal
Audiophile

Posts: 1001
Location: Ontario
Joined: March 28, 2003
 Oh, Yes! And/0r a Denon 103d. But the FR1 Mk3 F better matches the xformers I still have.


Jeremy

 

RE: this one..., posted on February 8, 2015 at 17:23:41
gordguide
Audiophile

Posts: 302
Joined: January 20, 2002
 Another vote for the Fidelity Research FR! MK3
Supex 900 Super is 2nd; Clearaudio Arum Beta Wood 3rd

 

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