Vinyl Asylum

Emergency (i.e., cheap) cartridge replacement

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rhizomatic

(A)

Hi folks,
Short story short: a curious kitten busted the stylus on my Dynavector 10x5. I've got a VPI Scout with a JMW-9 tonearm; I'm using a Trigon Vanguard II MM/MC preamp (through a Pathos Classic One, if that matters; Silverline Sonatina speakers, for the sake of thoroughness). I need a quick, cheap (as in, $200 or, preferably, less), decent, applicable replacement while I save up the cash to get a better cartridge. Any suggestions? I've got a stack of unlistened-to vinyl and more on the way...time's a-wasting!
New or used, but if it's used I'm hoping you might point me in the direction of something currently on the market.
Thanks in advance. Hope you're all well.

______________________________
Stranger than that, we're alive!
Whatever you think it's more than that, more than that.
-Incredible String Band

Follow Ups:

Audio Technica AT-95E - OilfieldTiger 08:10:45 07/10/06 (0)
Why waste all that money if you are going to replace the Dynavector? Just makes it longer to save up.
The AT-95E ($30 last time I bought one from ebay seller "williamthakker") is stupidly good for the money. $50 from Music Direct I think. Currently using one on my LP12/Ittok as I save up for (funnily enough) a Dynavector 10x5.
Cheers,
Tim
Well, if you can make it up to Chicago this weekend (Brian Walsh's place)... - subcoolman 05:15:00 07/10/06 (0)
I'll loan you my V15 off my back-up Planar3 until you get a new cart.
Hey, I figure it this way: If the invitation didn't work, perhaps a bribe will!

Jim
Get the Denon DL-103. It's silly good for under $200. - HenryH 03:05:26 07/10/06 (0)
As Giacomo says, it's so good it may make you forget about the Dyna. I'm using one in my sL-1200MK2 and will have a new one in my soon to arrive Scout.

Henry
A 12-gauge shotgun is the ultimate arbiter of disputes - G. Gordon Liddy
not a model number, but a category - J.D. 23:02:01 07/09/06 (0)
Here's one vote for a Moving Magnet With A Replaceable Stylus Assembly --- as your current 'emergency replacement' now, and as your future backup .
There's a lot right about the solid sound (if not infinitely precise), the health output voltage (run it on any phonostage, anywhere, anytime) and definitely, that replaceable stylus.
Gives you a kind of 'rechargeable battery' as a backup, since you can even stomp that cantilever and have a new one for less than half the cart price, and ---- no drama . And a cart for that second table, second location, etc.
If you're big on Low Output coils, and I am, you may just find that a natural, opposite and complementary cart from this category is a great choice. As a kind of 'chaser', if you know what I mean.
good luck,
J.
Re: Emergency (i.e., cheap) cartridge replacement - beto 22:51:14 07/09/06 (2)
*Beto looks at his pristine 10x5*
Okay, now I understand why I've never been a cat person... :P
I'd second Giacomo - if I were you, I'd either go for the Denon or the Shure. The Denon gets LOTS of accolades here on VA and many inmates own one as a matter of fact. Seems to be a ridiculously great cartridge for the money.
_________________________________
May the Tracking Force be with you!
- Re: Emergency (i.e., cheap) cartridge replacement - Tightwad 23:02:01 07/09/06 (1)
  > > Okay, now I understand why I've never been a cat person... :P
  *Tightwad looks at Sadie, Max, and Pete with love*
  None of our three cats have come even close to climbing on the (dustcoverless) turntable. I suspect they intuit that it's simply not a place for them. In the meantime, all three have been wonderful listening partners over the years. You can see one of them hogging the sweet spot in the photo. (Old version of the system.)
  - Re: Emergency (i.e., cheap) cartridge replacement - rhizomatic 13:40:42 07/10/06 (0)
    Took a simple, sharp "HEY!" a few times to get the man of the house, Chilton, to stay away from the TT. Brakhage, on the other hand, is some freakish alien kitten who plays by no rules. I think he likes the teeter-totter action of the tonearm, and I've seen some [shudder] nibbles on the cord. Had the nice clear case covering it, but last fall a visiting musician sleeping on the floor well away from the speakers managed to knock over one of the speakers and shatter the cover. Jeez.
    
    ______________________________
    Stranger than that, we're alive!
    Whatever you think it's more than that, more than that.
    -Incredible String Band
Re: Emergency (i.e., cheap) cartridge replacement - Tightwad 22:42:42 07/09/06 (1)
Shure M97xE ought to be a good match for the unipivot arm. (Relatively low-mass, right?)
Jack's Music Factory stocks them.
The M97 is a great, unfussy cart. It might be somewhat rolled off in the highs and "mellow" sounding, but should keep you happy for the short-term at least.
Use it with the brush locked up -- no need for it.
- Agreed. - olddude55 01:56:44 07/10/06 (0)
  It's a great back-up cart. It won't impress at first, but it will with time.
  _______________________________
  Just an Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma
Why not the Asylum classics? - Giacomo 22:42:41 07/09/06 (0)
Perhaps I should not be replying since I understand nothing at all about the synergies in your system, but I'll mention two options that everyone seems to agree on as exceptional value for the money:
1) Denon DL-103, $148 on eBay from a highly reputable German seller. Everyone loves this cartrdige, though for me it's hearsay because I don't have MC capabilities (or else I wouldn't have resisted buying it, given the rave reviews). It is such an Asylum favourite that I anticipate someone telling you that if you buy it you may never need to save for a better cartridge ...
2) Shure M97xE, $66 from Amazon. Obviously this cannot be as good as a DL-103 or your DV 10x5, but it's an extremely satisfactory cartridge at a virtually unbeatable price. I have it and I love it, though that may not terribly matter because I'm cheaper than you overall, as you can see if you look up my system.

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