Vinyl Asylum

• RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? - DeeCee 17:15:24 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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.
  

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• KIipsch Moving Coil w/Ruby Cantilever - Awe-d-o-file 16:54:26 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  I forget who made it for Klipsch but it was nice.
  
  
  E
  T
  
  

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• Miyabi Standard, no question NT - jnr 13:22:50 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  .
  Beatnik's stuff http://web.me.com/jnr1/Site/Beatniks_Pictures.html
  
  

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• Decca 4RC or Mk. V - Salectric 12:46:43 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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.
  

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• Sumiko Low Output Talisman S - Crazy Dave 10:48:21 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  It does everything right. I still have it an it is very possible that I might get it re-tipped.
  
  Dave
  
  

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• Ortofon SL 15 Mk II - 1973shovel 09:50:18 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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.
  

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• None of them... - tketcham 09:09:52 01/28/15 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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
  

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  • I am with you on that one - richardl 10:50:46 01/28/15 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: None of them... posted by tketcham on January 28, 2015 at 09:09:52

    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.
    

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  • RE: )tn( .ton er'ouy, On - amioutaline? 10:30:13 01/28/15 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: None of them... posted by tketcham on January 28, 2015 at 09:09:52

    
    
    At the request of the Moderators,
    This space has been deleted
    
    

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• RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? - abs1 08:24:12 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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
  

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• I have to echo "amioutaline?'s" sentiment... - Dman 05:51:08 01/28/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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
  
  

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• RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? - ruxtonvet 23:32:43 01/27/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  ADC XLM in an SME low mass arm. Showing MY age.
  

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• RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? - hahax@verizon.net 20:35:33 01/27/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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.
  

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• RE: Has to include my current cartridge so I guess I can't play - amioutaline? 19:24:58 01/27/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  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.
  
  At the request of the Moderators,
  This space has been deleted
  
  

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• Shelter 501 II n/t - valvesonly 18:47:05 01/27/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  nt
  
  The customer is then charged what he is likely to stand. ...
  
  

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• Maybe this one ... - reelsmith. 18:17:34 01/27/15 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  

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  • That's easy --- You can still buy a new one today... - John Elison 20:38:07 01/27/15 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: Maybe this one ... posted by reelsmith. on January 27, 2015 at 18:17:34

    • Audio Technica AT33EV at LP Gear   (Open in New Window)

    
    

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    • Thanks John .... - reelsmith. 13:04:55 01/28/15 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: That's easy --- You can still buy a new one today... posted by John Elison on January 27, 2015 at 20:38:07

      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.
      
      
      
      

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• RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? - geoff 17:10:32 01/27/15 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  Supex SM100 mm, just to hear if it sounds as nice as I remember.
  

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  • +1! - Dman 17:39:06 01/27/15 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by geoff on January 27, 2015 at 17:10:32

    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
    
    

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• Miyabi 47... - kuma 16:35:12 01/27/15 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  
  

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• RE: Now and then - Dave Garretson 16:13:02 01/27/15 (6)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  
  
  

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

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  • RE: Now and then - John Elison 17:02:58 01/27/15 (5)
    In Reply to: RE: Now and then posted by Dave Garretson on January 27, 2015 at 16:13:02

    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
    

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    • RE: Now and then - Dave Garretson 17:32:20 01/27/15 (4)
      In Reply to: RE: Now and then posted by John Elison on January 27, 2015 at 17:02:58

      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...
      

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      • RE: Now and then - John Elison 20:12:44 01/27/15 (1)
        In Reply to: RE: Now and then posted by Dave Garretson on January 27, 2015 at 17:32:20

        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.
        

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        Edits: 01/27/15   01/28/15

        • Noise - Dave Garretson 02:16:48 01/28/15 (0)
          In Reply to: RE: Now and then posted by John Elison on January 27, 2015 at 20:12:44

          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.
          

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      • Do you still have the tweaked MP1? - Lew 20:01:03 01/27/15 (1)
        In Reply to: RE: Now and then posted by Dave Garretson on January 27, 2015 at 17:32:20

        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.
        

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        • RE: Do you still have the tweaked MP1? - Dave Garretson 02:30:20 01/28/15 (0)
          In Reply to: RE: Do you still have the tweaked MP1? posted by Lew on January 27, 2015 at 20:01:03

          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.
          

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• This one . . . - Opus 33 1/3 16:04:29 01/27/15 (3)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  
  
  

  
  Grace F9E
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  Opus 33 1/3
  
  
  

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  • I'll second that!.....nt - Phil_S 17:13:02 01/27/15 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: This one . . . posted by Opus 33 1/3 on January 27, 2015 at 16:04:29

    nt
    

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  • RE: This one . . . - Dave Garretson 16:26:34 01/27/15 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: This one . . . posted by Opus 33 1/3 on January 27, 2015 at 16:04:29

    
    
    

    
    

    
    
    

    
    Here's a modern take on that one.
    

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    • Lord that's ugly, - Dave Pogue 17:32:34 01/27/15 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: This one . . . posted by Dave Garretson on January 27, 2015 at 16:26:34

      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.
      
      

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• this one... - Penguin 15:47:03 01/27/15 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: If you could have any of your past cartridges on your current rig, what would you choose? posted by ppopp on January 27, 2015 at 15:31:44

  

  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
  
  

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  • RE: this one... - goldenthal 18:31:32 01/29/15 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: this one... posted by Penguin on January 27, 2015 at 15:47:03

    Oh, Yes! And/0r a Denon 103d. But the FR1 Mk3 F better matches the xformers I still have.
    
    
    Jeremy
    

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    • RE: this one... - gordguide 17:23:41 02/08/15 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: this one... posted by goldenthal on January 29, 2015 at 18:31:32

      Another vote for the Fidelity Research FR! MK3
      Supex 900 Super is 2nd; Clearaudio Arum Beta Wood 3rd
      

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