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Hi Folks;
I am in need of a new Phono Cartridge for my Technics 1200MKII. I'm no stranger to the HIGH END, but with limited budgets and such, I am forced to step down a bit. My current cartridge, A Sumiko Blue Point. Unfortunately, the Blue Point has seen better days. I've been doing some reading and research on some budget cartridges but shut the computer off in disgust. I purchased a Grado Black, I wish I could send it back. To Much Hum, and a high end that leaves my mouth dry, I'm not happy at all with it, I would just assume to use the worn out Blue Point, but as we know, this is not an option. I am looking at the Audio Technica AT95E. I've heard many good things about it, and is a consideration. I like open and airy trebble and was told that compared to the Black, the AT95E is much more open and airy. What I would like to know from anybody and everybody, What would you pick? I know I'm not going to surpass the Blue Point, but I want to get as close as possible. Other cartridges I've owned in the past are Monster Alpha Genisis 1000MKII, Shure V15IV, Ortofon X3MC. I loved all 4 of them, with nothing really bad to say about any of them. Given this I value everybody's opinion.
Follow Ups:
If you can swing $150 there is a guy on ebay selling Ortofon X5 MCs for that price, shipping included.I just replaced an Ortofon Super OM30 with one. At about 25 hours it passed the OM30 and is still getting better. The X5 is very quiet, very little surface noise.
Grado Gold, a bit over $100, on Ebay, new in the box.http://cgi.ebay.com/GRADO-PRESTIGE-TURNTABLE-GOLD-PHONO-CARTRIDGE-NEW_W0QQitemZ120030552044QQihZ002QQcategoryZ64620QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The acclaimed, ballyhooed Cartridge Man Music Maker II and III, which sold (II) and sell (III) for $1000, is just a Grado Gold with some tweaks, and does not sound anywhere near 5 times as good as the Gold.
I have no doubt that the Grado Gold is an exceptional cartridge. Back in the day when I had a better table, an Oracle Delphi MKII, ETII Tonearm, I had a Grado MCZ and 8MZ both wonderful cartridges. But Grado is just not for me. Even the Grado black shares some similar sound trates that I dont particulary care for. But thanks so much for your advice, I appreciate any and all input. I'm new to the asylum, but so far, I think it is really great and very useful and I value everybody's opinion, even if I dont agree. My famous last words "If there is a company out there that makes the perfect cartridge or speaker, or whatever, there would only be that one" Thank god we still have a choice, even in this digital day, we still have a choice. Keep up the good work
I've used a Grado with an earlier SL-1500 Technics deck without any hum problem, but the original poster here says he's got it with the Grado Black he's already tried. Wouldn't the Gold just give him the same problem?
Is a used DL103 for $160 out of the question?
$160 for a used cartridge particularly a DL 103 they can be had for as little as $148 Brand New, and the DL103 being a moving coil a re-tip is required.There are a number of pitfalls involved with used Cartridges, primary among them is the fact that there are a lot of otherwise OK folks who are really neurotic about $$, you'll rarely if even see the description of a used cartridge stating " I have no idea how many hours ? I do know it's a real shit load, and I'm afraid of carving up my cherished Shaded dog "Alvin and the Chipmunks Live at Leeds " the reason I'm selling it " ;-)
Most every used cartridge description are 200 hours at most, most of the time considerably less, if indeed it's only got the 4 or 5 or even 20hr's,claimed, why would anyone sell a new cartridge before it could be even possibly broken in ?
I'd venture that a fair percentage of the used cartridge market involves a nudged or tweaked Stylus re-set in it's suspension, with subsequent anxiety induced sale.
Even if you only have a handful of records, you simply can't afford to trust them to a strangers unknown integrity.
I sold 4 carts for about 60% what I paid and never received any complaints. I wouldn't buy a used cart from someone unless I spoke with them over the phone first and a clear description of the cartridge was given. I don't believe there are that many people trying to scam someone that would give out there phone number. My carts were purchased as upgrades to carts that weren't very old (read low hours). Do you know of any place selling carts that offers trial periods on them? Anyway, I know there are a lot (read shitload) of used cartridges out there in perfect condition waiting to be sold. I bought all of my cartridges new, but that was because I could afford the new price. I have considered buying a used DV Te Kaitora because I cannot afford to buy it new. If all I could afford new was an AT440ML, I might consider the used Denon.
Hukk
Audiocubes is $200. He claims $230 new. But you are right, based upon the audiocubes price, "I" would only offer $140.
William Thakker has one on Ebay brand new for $148. Even $140 is too much for that cartridge used.
Crap! I should have rememered that, since my DL-103 came from him. I paid $181 shiped to the states eighteen months ago.
from tubefive in Spain.
Before anyone asks, it's not mine. I was just browsing Audiogon.
direct drive + grado (often) = hummmmmmm
I've had both a Grado Black and a Grado Platinum on a 1200mkII that I had at home, and now have two Technics at work, both with Grado blacks and none of them hum.While Grados do hum with some unsheilded motors/tables-- the 1200, in my experience, is not one of them.
I'm guessing the hum is coming from somewhere else in your system.
I have used both the GRADO Reference Platinum and the Signature 8MZ on my DENON DD with no hum at all. No GRADO "dance" either. BTW, the 8MZ sounded to my ears way better than the Ref. Platinum.
Aint it the Truth
I got it cheap from Amazon (thank you VA for the pointer) a few months ago and it's a great tracker. After breaking it in, I bought another for a spare/future-use since who knowns when they stop making them or raise the prices.
What is the break in period for the Shure M97XE?Thanks,
~E
For me, it sounded pretty darn good out of the box but gradually improved over the next 20-30 LP sides (better low-end and smoother midrange is what I noticed the most).
OK, thanks.~E
I think I might be leaning toward the Shure, but want to explore every possibility.
I have the shure on a Pioneer DD PL-500 table. It just didn't deliver the treble I was looking for, (some call it lifeless) I won't go that far but the AT440ml is more revealing. It is not broken in yet but the detail is more to my liking. I do hear more surface noise on my older LP's this is probably due to (LP wear/damage) and the extended range (32khz) this cart is rated at. I have not tried the AT440MLa (20khz) yet but it might be a solution to the surface noise problem but I'm not sure how it will affect the treble.
about 4 months ago and the differance is astounding. There's a fair amoint of information on this in the archives however the AT gives a much more transparent image, deep base, and a good soundstage in comparison to the Grado Black. For my application it is fantastic, particularly at $60. I've provided a link below. It does take at least 50 hours to break in and tracks much better at 1.75g than the reccomended optimum of 1.4g. Did I say I highly reccomend it?Phil
Phil; Thanks for the info, I will add it to my list. What kind of table do you have it mounted on?
nt
HenryA 12-gauge shotgun is the ultimate arbiter of disputes - G. Gordon Liddy
The AT440MLa is definately a consideration
My Budget is $100
I would not get a cheap Grado and would not get any Audio Technica.Help us make a suggestion by giving us some kind of budget.
Hukk
I don't know how much treble you want but if you want an airy table that isn't too bright (remember, if you listen to pop/rock LPs you will run into some overly bright LP's) I am not familar with the Technics but I do have a mass market table that runs bright to begin with.The Ort that's on there now produces too much high end for the table and I'm picking up the Shure M97xe from the UPS place on my way into work later this morning and I chose it for it's not quite as extended in the top end as the Ort so should still bring a nice tonal balance to the table without over emphasising the top end.
Check online for various carts as you may well get something much better at a price you can afford. I bought the Shure, which normally costs $140 for less than $70, not including tax from Amazon, new.
I'll be reviewing the Shure once it's installed and broken in.
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