Vinyl Asylum

Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what?

67.100.89.147

Hi all,

After a few years of blissfully listening to vinyl with the Ortofon, it's time for a stylus replacement. I originally bought the cartridge from Mr. Stereo for a good discount off the $900 list price (~$600 IIRC). Since the price of the Kont B has risen dramatically I'm exploring some alternatives, and feedback from other inmates would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the choices:

Trade in the Kont B for a direct replacement in the US - about $1000

Upgrade to the Kont C in the US, since the reviews sound great - about $1350

Look for a discount supplier for a direct replacement - $???? -- is Juki still around?

Change to something else -- Karat 17D III, Denon, Lyra Dorian or Argo, ???? -- this is where you come in :-)

The cartridge is mounted in an SME V on a Eurolab Premier II, feeding Lundahl trannies. The rest of the system is hard to describe, since I designed and built most of it, other than the Audio Research VT100 II. Music covers a wide range, from early Verve and Pablo jazz to newly-released rock. Not a huge amount of classical, but some....

What I love about the Kont B is its weight, it's top-to-bottom balance, and its wonderfully natural midrange.

So, thoughts? If you need more info, I'm happy to add more detail...

Peter

Follow Ups:

Go for an AT-OC9ML/II...It's an excellent cartridge... - John Elison 11:04:15 05/13/08 (1)
- Thanks, it's another option I have thought about... - Commuteman 12:40:21 05/13/08 (0)
how do you know it's time to replace the stylus? - OMalley 05:53:59 05/13/08 (1)
- Tick Tick Tick - 1973shovel 06:43:20 05/13/08 (0)
RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - Clive 05:08:20 05/13/08 (2)
- I will 2nd the ZYX recommendation- fabulous cartridge. nt - Story 19:13:14 05/13/08 (0)
- Thanks, I'll check it out (nt) - Commuteman 12:43:50 05/13/08 (0)
RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - middleground 04:47:25 05/13/08 (2)
- Unscientifically.... - Commuteman 12:36:37 05/13/08 (0)
- "cartridge manufacturers do not offer re-tipping at a decent price"? ... - andyr 05:20:50 05/13/08 (0)
Ortofon Jubilee - Dave Billinge 00:21:39 05/13/08 (3)
- Another vote for the Jubilee - Paul Tobin 06:03:08 05/14/08 (0)
- Forgot to put the Jubilee on the list...thanks. - Commuteman 12:32:45 05/13/08 (0)
- I'll second that (nt). - Ronnie.S 11:20:40 05/13/08 (0)
RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - bigmike 22:53:30 05/12/08 (0)
RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - andyr 22:27:13 05/12/08 (5)
- RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - middleground 04:40:52 05/13/08 (4)
  - A cartridge no more "figure (s) out what it is playing exactly" than speakers do... - 1973shovel 05:44:03 05/13/08 (0)
  - Elementary, dear Watson ... - andyr 05:18:50 05/13/08 (0)
  - RE: Time to replace the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, but with what? - pt109 04:59:13 05/13/08 (1)
    - Good point.. - Commuteman 12:30:13 05/13/08 (0)
Ortofon Rondo Bronze. Sounds 99% identical to the Kntrpkt B. - ppopp 21:24:08 05/12/08 (0)
RE: "is Juki still around?" - 1973shovel 19:15:35 05/12/08 (2)
- Thanks! - Commuteman 13:41:56 05/13/08 (1)
  - You're welcome. - 1973shovel 19:29:54 05/13/08 (0)

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