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Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated

12.15.226.219
Posted on January 7, 2021 at 07:36:02
STEVE H
Audiophile

Posts: 626
Location: California
Joined: December 15, 2000
 Currently using an Ortofon Quintet Black S with Heed Quasar III phono preamp. Turntable is Basis 1400 with Orgin Live Encounter tonearm. Looking to upgrade cartridge right now.
Would stepping up to the Ortofon Cadenza line (either Red or Blue) be a major step up?
Only other cartridge that I have had in my system is the Dynavector 20X2L.I do prefer the Ortofon sound a little better. Main music genre is 60's jazz and 70's progressive rock.

Thanks for any insight.

 

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tell me about that dynavector. . . , posted on January 7, 2021 at 09:31:33
peteSF
 because I was looking to make a move from a 103R to either the 20x2l or maybe a LO in the Hannah line at the same price-point.
thanks

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 09:48:27
markinuk
Audiophile

Posts: 456
Location: Surrey
Joined: January 13, 2003
 Hi

I used a Quintet Black S in an Encounter for quite a while. It's very good, but I found a used Cadenza Black online and won the auction.

This is quite a big step up in my opinion; unflappable tracking and a clearer yet sweeter sound. I've also had a Cadenza Blue in my system for a brief period and this cartridge is not far behind the Black IMHO, with similar virtues, so I feel you'd notice the upgrade.

I was tempted by the Cadenza Red, until I secured the Black for about the same as a new Red.

I'm using a Musical Fidelity MX-VNYL and the Encounter is fitted to a Nottingham Analogue Ace Spacedeck.

HTH

Mark

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 09:51:38
STEVE H
Audiophile

Posts: 626
Location: California
Joined: December 15, 2000
 Thanks for the info.
I'm tempted by the Cadenza Blue. May go for it.

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 09:51:41
PAR
Audiophile

Posts: 1732
Location: South London, UK
Joined: June 4, 2019
 Yes to your first question and If you are thinking of a Cadenza (a superb line) then the Bronze is IMO the optimum balance of performance v. price if you can stretch to it.

Just remember that it has a Replicant stylus which does need correct VTA/SRA and that the angle is set with reference to the stylus' leading edge not to the central axis of the diamond. If you do the latter you will end up with the rear of the cartridge body almost touching the vinyl (a common error as people do not RTFM).

"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 10:39:09
miner42
Audiophile

Posts: 473
Location: Texas
Joined: April 28, 2007
 The Cadenza line is a super choice - all in the lineup are fine cartridges at their price point. I use a Cadenza Black and have a VAS Nova as a backup. I have been reading very positive reviews about the AT ART9XI. Affordable, May be my next cartridge.

 

Check out Audio-Technica. They're my favorite!, posted on January 7, 2021 at 10:47:19
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Here's their website:

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 10:49:36
STEVE H
Audiophile

Posts: 626
Location: California
Joined: December 15, 2000
 Not familiar with any of the Audio-Technica cartridges. Think I'll read up on the ART9XI.

 

RE: Cartridge upgrade advise appreciated, posted on January 7, 2021 at 11:58:19
bill_stevenson@bellsouth.net
Audiophile

Posts: 418
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Joined: January 6, 2015
 I am reading your request and all the good advice and I personally own and use Ortofon Cadenza Black, Per Winfeld, 2M Black and 2M mono SE, Audio Technica AT150 ANV, AT 33 ANV, VAS nova mono, SoundSmith Experion, Shure V15 Vmr and V15, Stanton 881, Goldring 1042 and several others. Frankly, I don't know how to advise you. They are all good and depending on my mood any of them can sound the best to me on any given day. You could pick any of the cartridges recommended in this thread at random and probably not regret it. So, how to advise you? In the January 2021 issue of Stereophile there is an excellent article by Herb Reichert on "Some truly affordable phono cartridges" that is worth everyone's attention. He makes a strong case for the idea that a properly set up cartridge is more important than the price of the cartridge and that even really cheap ones can sound very close to the price of much more expensive ones. Prices start at $25. This is a fun article and will gives much food for thought.

 

Thanks to all..., posted on January 7, 2021 at 12:31:34
STEVE H
Audiophile

Posts: 626
Location: California
Joined: December 15, 2000
 for the recommendations.
I ended up purchasing an Ortofon Cadenza Blue.

 

glad to hear it, posted on January 9, 2021 at 17:58:06
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 i started getting interested in higher-end Ortofons when after my friend borrowed my MC200 and got the bug from that. a real cheapskate until he found the real deal after which he would go ape shit.

first, an MC30II, then in quick succession-a Rohmann, Kontrapunkt b, Jubilee, and also a Lyra Helikon (which he was afraid of because of its nakedness. we both fell in love with the Kb with its ruby cantilever. sooo linear and well defined.

later on, i got to hear the Cadenza Black at THE Show Newport at the Gamut room run by their designer on a really great tt and the big speakers and amp. he and i were tuned into each other and i truly enjoyed the hour i spent there.

my friend Jim Kaplan, proprietor of Record Collector News (online at recordcollectornews.com) has the Cadenza Blue and is more than happy with it. another friend got an MC Anna on my recommendation for his Basis tt and he is quite happy as well.

i guess i should have Soundsmith retip the MC200 (and my Krell cartridge too) so i can have those options at my fingertips.

anyway, suffice it to say that i am in envy of your Cadenza.
...regards...tr

 

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