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I got a Dual today with a cartridge that says Ortofon TKS55E and stylus that says DN155E. It doesn't look like a P mount or a standard 1/2". What is it? Is it a good enough cartridge that paying the extra bucks for the not so common stylus is worth it? Can I get a different / better cartridge with an easier to find stylus?TIA,
Bryan
Follow Ups:
Heyyyy...aren't you the guy who just offered to sell me a Marantz 2220B? Hmmm, Dual and Marantz. Were you a cash-strapped high school student in the seventies, by any chance?Turntable-wise, welcome to my world. I recently bought a Dual CS 506-1 off of FleaBay, and have been busy unravelling the mysteries of its cartridge. Here's the straight poop**(see note):
This table has Dual's special "ULM" (Ultra Low Mass) tonearm. The cartridge is a special design by Ortofon, functionally very similar to the OM series, but with a special mount. These cartridges are no longer available; if your cartridge has died, you need to change to a standard 1/2" mount.
To mount a 1/2" cartridge on this arm you need an adapter plate, which is available from Robert Tracy at All-in-One Electronics. Check out the "Parts and Service" section at the Dual Classics Web Site for his contact information. The adapter kit is about $40, and includes a little weight you add to the arm's counterweight to compensate for the adapter and heavier 1/2" cartridge. (So much for the "low mass" part in this case.)
Once you have your adapter, you can select any 1/2" cartridge you want. Opinions here on the VA are divided. Some say the Grados are great on this TT, others not. Some say this TT's not worth putting an expensive cartridge on, some say go ahead and spend the dough. One thing the inmates seem to agree on, though, is that the OM series is a good match for this arm. The OM-10, -20, and -30 are all the same cartridge, and can be upgraded simply by changing the stylus.
HOWEVER...if your cartridge is still working, you can simply replace the stylus. (Do cartridges wear out? I've seen differing opinions on this.) The DN155E is available from a variety of places, including:
Needle Doctor
Jack's Music Factory
Garage-a-RecordsI've seen prices for the DN155E ranging from $45-$100, with $65 being the norm. Shop around.
After several posts here on the VA and much thought, I have reached the conclusion that the existing Ortofon TKS55E, while perhaps not the quality of some more expensive/modern cartridges, is probably the best overall match for this arm. Since my cartridge is working, I'm just putting new DN155E on it. In fact, I was going to order it today. I am still undecided on whether I'll purchase an adapter kit, just in case the DN155E supply dries up (or I suddenly come into big money and can afford to experiement with high-dollar cartridges, just for fun.)
Finally, use care in removing your cartridge. The CS 506-1's tonearm head looks similar to, but not the same as the one in the ULM manuals available on the web. As far as I can tell, the procedure for removing the cartridge is also "similar to, but not the same as" that outline in the manuals. Proceed with caution.
**Note: "Straight Poop" is herein defined as the distilled essence of several posts to the Vinyl Asylum, e-mail correspondence with "experts", and the author's well-considered opinion. As a "recent returner" to the mid-fi vinyl-playing hobby, I believe I've gotten this whole cartridge business correct, but there remains a chance that I just might have my head up my a**.
They work like a charm with the Duals. The cheaper OM10 Supers are pretty great for the money, too. ($40 from J&R Music World.)
I also had a Grado Prestige Blue in my Dual 506. Sounded lovely.Good luck & happy listening!
Bobbo the soundnut :-)
Do I need some sort of adapter for the OM20 or Grado? If it needs an adapter where should I get it and does it work out well?TIA,
Bryan
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