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In Reply to: Which pick up cartridge for SME V? posted by Romano on April 15, 2007 at 11:12:07:
AT-OC9ML/II! Looks good and sounds great!
Follow Ups:
I notice that one responder suggests an AT-0C9ML/II and another a ZYX that costs almost 10 times more. Can these two cartridges really be compared? At my stage of the game, I don't feel I can pay close to $3M for a cartridge with my ears in the condition that they are in for a guy my age. However, they still work well enough to hear distortion and bad sound in general, so I am on the horns of a dilemma. Some thoughts please.
What's an additional $300 in the scheme of ridiculously expensive vinyl toys?
You're killing us with logic here. ;)
while i won't comment on the specific recommendations, it does make sense to do 1 of 2 things:1) if you are going to pay big $ for a cartridge, then audition it at home (unlikely) or at least spend time in as close a situation as you can.
2) if you are not sure, then buy a highly-recommended, less expensive cartridge as a test. it may be everything your heart desires, in which case you've saved lots of money. it also may fall short -- but if it does then you will be able to precisely describe what you are hearing and what you are missing. this is very important as the flagship cartridges often do things 'differently' rather than 'better' than one another.think of the amount you spend in #2 as "insurance" more than a waste of money.
Hi,I'm the guy who suggested a ZYX may be a good candidate. I deleted the post, so I could expound a bit in this one. Anyway, the maker of the ZYX designed quite a few very nice cartridges back when. Most notable was probably the Accuphase, but he also took the moving iron cartridge to a plateau that no one else ever reached with ADC's TRX Series. I have owned the Audio-Technica, and while it sounded accurate, it also struck me as strident and non-involving musically. The ADC has the same feeling of accuracy, but remains musical. If the designer is true to his past, the ZYX must be a wonderful cartridge. Unfortunately, his best effort to date is over the $3000 mark. It costs $5000. Still, there is a model that meets the budget criterion of price.
...I so like my Sound-Smith Upgraded DL-103 on my SME 309.
I don't know if I would ever be truly comfortable with a $3000 cartridge, for many reasons.
--
Al G
Born To Tinker!
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