My opinion. - mosin - Vinyl Asylum

My opinion.

Posted by mosin (M) on September 17, 2006 at 22:00:18

In Reply to: Re: you old fart posted by jcmusic on September 17, 2006 at 20:58:31:

You gave enough information at the outset. The tonearm on the Luxman is key to the choice of cartridge.

I never gave you any opinion for the simple reason that I like the moving magnet/moving iron cartridges from yesteryear, and I thought that you probably favor the idea of getting a brand new one that is still in production.

Among those old ones, however, I like ADCs best. One of those would be ideal for your turntable, and you might be able to find an NOS one for a decent price. The arm on the Luxman particularly likes high compliance cartridges, and low mass ones would do best with it, in my opinion. If my opinion holds water, and I believe it does, the ADC line offers a good choice in the XLM MK II. It is detailed, yet sweet and mellow. That model usually sells for around $80-100 on eBay in NOS condition. The downside to NOS cartridges is that you can't just rush out and get one. You have to wait and watch. Still, they are out there. One of the better Audio-Technicas, or Signets, would also be nice. Be on the lookout for an AT14Sa, AT15S, AT15SS, or maybe a Signet 5.0me, or 5.0lc. All those usually bring $50-60. Then, there is the Grace lineup with the 9E or Ruby. Both are excellent. They may not be the best for your tonearm, though, and NOS ones are rare, and pricey. In any event, cartridges of the same vintage as your table are often perfect for it, and there are a lot of different ones to select from. The trick is finding one in perfect condition, and knowing ahead what to expect from it performance wise.

New cartridge selection is actually more limited, but good ones are out there, too. If you like moving coils, the Audio-Technica OC-9 will work great on your Luxman tonearm. It won't break the bank, either. It is less than $400. One of the new wooden Grados would work nicely, too. They also start at around $400. Say, you don't want to spend that much? Then, get a plastic bodied Grado. They miss a bit of what the others that I listed have to offer, but they are very musical. I figure $50-100 should get one of those, depending on the model. Want a great tracker for cheap? Get a Shure M97. Want a tracker that's a bit more lively? Get an AT-95E for around $35-50, or a few dollars more gets an AT120E.

Maybe this helps a little.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - New Cartridge Advice - jcmusic 16:17:08 09/17/06 (15)

For a moving magnet, the Ortofon 540MKII would be a - HenryH 16:32:51 09/17/06 (0)

once again - hifitommy 16:21:59 09/17/06 (13)

Re: once again - mosin 16:24:29 09/17/06 (12)

the TT/arm is only PART of the picture - hifitommy 18:11:02 09/17/06 (11)

Define reasonable... - mosin 18:17:50 09/17/06 (10)

you old fart - hifitommy 18:27:27 09/17/06 (9)

i am 62 in oct, it takes forever to piss, and several times a night at that. - Psychicanimal 07:26:50 09/18/06 (1)

it awaits all of us males - hifitommy 16:05:50 09/18/06 (0)

Re: you old fart - mosin 18:37:33 09/17/06 (6)

Re: you old fart - jcmusic 20:58:31 09/17/06 (5)

No wonder the air is so stale in here lately. What with all of the old lingering farts. :-) /mt\ - Ray-o-Stat 07:30:36 09/18/06 (0)

My opinion. - mosin 22:00:18 09/17/06 (3)

ADC - Calypte 10:50:53 09/18/06 (1)

Re: ADC - mosin 15:44:43 09/18/06 (0)

Re: My opinion. - jcmusic 05:30:24 09/18/06 (0)

Follow Ups

My opinion. - mosin 22:00:18 09/17/06 (3)

ADC - Calypte 10:50:53 09/18/06 (1)

Re: ADC - mosin 15:44:43 09/18/06 (0)

Re: My opinion. - jcmusic 05:30:24 09/18/06 (0)

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