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My system consists of a Well-Tempered Labs Reference table with an Eminent Technology ET-2.5 tonearm, a Bottlehead Seduction phono, a home-built shunt passive volume control, a Counterpoint SA-12 amp, a pair of Eminent Tech LFT-VI speakers, and varioius MIT cables. All have been modded/tweaked... a process that will continue until they pry my cold, dead hands off my volume control!My current cart is a an original Bluepoint modified with a glued-on p-mount adapter, carbonfiber stiffeners, and some lead and putty damping. It sounds much better than it has any right to... and is actually very satisfying. It has lasted through over 10 years of on-off use... probably equivalent to 2-3 years of moderate use... a good lifetime for a cartridge in my experience.
I'm looking to replace it. This is prompted by one of my current mod projects... I have a Alta-Vista Audio NP-220 amp (rebuilt Counterpoint SA-20) that I'm doing a few tweaks on. It will soon to go back into the system and it has 10db lower gain than the SA-12.
With the Seduction/SA-12/LFT-IV, the max volume available with my passive VC is adequate for most vinyl, but not all. With the Seduction/NP-220/LFT-IV, I'll need more gain for all vinyl.
I'd been using a higher-gain Curcio Daniel-based phono stage before the Seduction and may build another, but that's out in the future... and even after I build one, I may end up liking the Seduction better, so I'm not banking on that.
So I'm looking at carts with a higher output than the Bluepoint's (and Dynavector 10x and 20x) 2.5mv. Originally my list included the Cartridge Man Music Maker, Clearaudio Virtuoso, Decca Super Gold, and Grado Master & Sonota plus the lower-buck carts below, but I'm now leaning towards spending less now and waiting on a more expensive cartridge until after I've played around with and decided on phono stages.
Now I'm considering the Grado Platinum, Linn Adikt, Rega Exact, Roksan Corus Black, and Clearaudio Aurum Beta S.
Honestly, I'm leaning towards the Linn. It has reviewed well, I like Linn's design philosphy, and with the user-replaceable stylus, I've got some insurance against premature death. I've loved many Grados, getting one to work well in the ET has been spotty in my experience. I did try one of the lower-priced Rega's in an earlier version of this system back 10 years or so ago and while I liked it's drive, it just did not grab me. The Roksan is an unknown... no experience with them directly and not a lot of reviews I can find... also I suspect it's the oldest design of these. Finally, the Clearaudios review well, but I wonder how the lower-priced Beta-styled Clearaudios will fare against the Linn.
I listen to just about all types of music. I want a cartridge that'll give me great detail and separation between the different instruments and voices without sounding bright, hard, or strident. I also want good articulate bass and a sense of 'drive'and 'slam' along with good dynamics. I'm good with cartridge setup and can get pretty good results if the cartridge will work ok in my setup.
My tweakings are all designed to improve resolution and apparent detail while staying musical... my system does present a lot of detail now, but would never be considered 'bright'... can't stand that in a system. I want a cartridge that'll complement that too.
Comments on my leanings towards the Linn and away from the others? Suggestions on $300-$500 cart's with greater than 4mv output that I missed? Garrot P77 maybe?
TIA!
Greg in Minneapolis
P.S. I really miss what I consider the 'Golden Years' of phono cartridges, the middle '80's, when you could get a moderate output MC cart with an exotic diamond and cantilever for $400 - $700... you gotta pay upwards of $1000 for most of these today. My last fav's were a couple of Monster Cable Alpha-II HO's I had in the late 80's - early '90's... loved those carts, was surprised that I could get the Bluepoint to satisfy me after those died, but I did have to modify it.
Follow Ups:
Greg, if you've had spotty results with Grados in your ET-2 arm, have you tried experimenting with the counterbalance? As you prorbably know, this part can have a sonic impact depending on choices made in implemeting it on your arm. I used the flexible counterbalance arm with the weights as far to the end of that arm as I could extend them. On the VPI-19 turntable (a very stable platform for this arm), I had great success over many years with a series of Grado cartridges: MCX, ZTZ and Reference/Reference.
Actually, after playing around with the weights when I first got the ET-2 (upgraded from an ET-1), I settled on the weights all the way back like you suggested... that sounded best with all the cart's I've tried in the arm. I also find that having the weight carrier bar sloping downwards at a 2-3 degree angle solidifies the bass and adds some bass impact.One thing that may have affected my Grado experience is the weight of my armtube... I have over-sized wire inside the tube with additional damping inside and out... it is heavier (sorry, don't know how much) than the stock tube.
Still, up to that last Grado I tried, I'd had good luck with them. Again, it may have just been a bum cart.
Thanks again for the tip!
I have the Aurum Beta S Wood & absolutly love it.
How about a OC9 and a K&K step up transformer kit?
My OC9 through a 10:1 transformer has lotsa gain. It also has all the attributes you have described you are looking for. MMMM... It would be a tasty pairing with that Seduction and come in at about $500 all said and done and sound by some accounts better than a $2500 low output moving coil!
Maybe too expensive but I swapped my 1/2 year old OC9 ML2 for a Shelter 501mk2. Now if you think upgrading to a OC9 is a big improvement wait until you hear this.I prefer a Ortofon T20 over my Classe MC stage with both cartridges.
BTW my first OC9 lasted for 7 years untill the cantiliver suspension worn out.
Recently, I replaced my Clearaudio Aurum Beta S ( MM ) with the wonderful AT-OC9ML/II, the difference was astonishing - I never guessed this would make such a big improvement to my system.
The AT-OC9ML/II is much quieter, tracks better, has sweeter midrange, greater bass and treble extension, detailing is amazing - I couldn't recommend it highly.
Good thought there. How's the longevity of the OC9?I do like that it has a Microline stylus and a boron cantilever!
Thanks!
I have only had mine for about 4 months and feel that its just broken in now. It is easily the best sound I have ever had! I am tremendously happy with my analog front end. After messing around with high end MM and HO MC cartriges for years (Grado,Shure, and the original BP) there is no going back for me!
--
Alan Gallacher
Born to Tinker!
OK, you've got my curiousity piqued... which K&K stepup xfrmr kit and from where?I can get the OC-9 from Needledoctor... I stopped by there last week just to check out what they have. The guy I talked with (also Greg) really liked the Grados, but I'm still cautious about whether I can get one to work well on my tonearm.
TIA!
For me the AT OC9ML/II leaves my Grado TLZ in the DUST! No comparison at all!K&K is an asylum sponsor and have a forum here to assist in building their kits.
Follow the link...
Good luck!
--
Alan Gallacher
Born to Tinker!
Hi, Greg,U mentioned the Grado Reference Platinum ... I have one of those as my "second" cartridge and all I can say is, it certainly doesn't sound too shabby up against my "main" cartridge ... a Benz Ebony LP (which costs heaps more!).
I use the audiophile re-issue (by Vivante) of "Friday Night in San Francisco" as a good comparison LP. The guitar picks on this are rapid-fire and I would've thought maybe the Platinum couldn't keep up ... but it certainly does!
So I recommend it heartily (but I've no experience with the others on your list).
Regards,
Is this the low or high output Platinum?At least with the popularity of the Grados, if it didn't work in my tonearm, I could at least sell it easily.
I'll keep the Grado on the shortlist. Thanks!
Greg,Sorry I don't know ... the spec sheet says 4.8mV
Regards,
That be the hi-output version.Thanks!
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