Cartridge suggestions

Johnny Vinyl

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May 16, 2010
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Calgary, AB
I'm in the market for a new cartridge and I'm turning to all of the vinyl experts here to provide me with some of their suggestions. Before you do, please consider some of my preferences and the equipment I have.

Preferences: Female voices, Progressive Rock, Blues, Soul, R&B and Jazz.

Equipment: Nottingham Analogue Horizon SE turntable w/Rega RB250, Pioneer SA-9500II Integrated Amplifier, Totem Sttaf speakers, MM/MC phonostage.

I am currently using a Sumiko Pearl as a temporary cartridge since my Grado Reference Platinum cartidge bit the bullet and needs a retip. I like the Grado sound and have used several of their cartridges before. I also have some experience with Shure (M95ED, Shure TypeIII) and a Sumiko Blue Point Special Nude, which I didn't like at all. It sounded overly bright to me.

Based on the information I have provided what cartridges would you recommend that cost no more than $750. I'm in Canada, so any order from the U.S. will mean about $100 more due to shipping and import duties. I'd obviously like to keep the price as low as possible since I don't have a lot of disposible income.

Thanks in advance guys!

John
 

naturephoto1

Member
May 24, 2010
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www.nelridge.com
Hi John,

I haven't had experience with either of these but both Zu Audio and Soundsmith have modified Denon 103 cartridges in your price range. Also, you may want to consider some of the Soundsmith Moving Iron Cartridges including the SMMC2 and the Boheme.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/smmc2.html

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/boheme.html

If you can stretch your budget a little, you could consider the Soundsmith SMMC1 which is a Stereophile A rated cartridge.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/smmc1.html

Rich
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Hi John,

I haven't had experience with either of these but both Zu Audio and Soundsmith have modified Denon 103 cartridges in your price range. Also, you may want to consider some of the Soundsmith Moving Iron Cartridges including the SMMC2 and the Boheme.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/smmc2.html

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/boheme.html

If you can stretch your budget a little, you could consider the Soundsmith SMMC1 which is a Stereophile A rated cartridge.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/smmc1.html

Rich

I have in fact been looking at the Soundsmith cartridges because of your setup, and I can get them locally as well, so that's always a good thing. I could perhaps stretch it, if I were to sell my Yamaha AVR and I've considered it.

From your experience what characteristics would you say they excel at? It is very important to me that the midrange has few flaws and can provide me with a realistic interpretation of voices and acoustic sounds. The Sumiko Pearl is too bottom heavy for my liking and a bit thick in the midrange.

John
 

naturephoto1

Member
May 24, 2010
820
7
16
Breinigsville, PA
www.nelridge.com
I have in fact been looking at the Soundsmith cartridges because of your setup, and I can get them locally as well, so that's always a good thing. I could perhaps stretch it, if I were to sell my Yamaha AVR and I've considered it.

From your experience what characteristics would you say they excel at? It is very important to me that the midrange has few flaws and can provide me with a realistic interpretation of voices and acoustic sounds. The Sumiko Pearl is too bottom heavy for my liking and a bit thick in the midrange.

John

Hi John,

I am not really sure how to compare them. The Strain Gauge is the only cartridge/phono preamp combination offered at this point to the best of my knowledge. But, the Strain Gauge because of its design has many of the best characteristics of both MC (or even MM/MI) cartridges and even CD. The cartridge is very fast with both early and late transients for instruments; has excellent highs, mids and bass; it is excellent for voice; guitar, piano, and other string insturments; brass; reed instruments; imaging; soundstage; life like presentation. I would consider the cartridge as quite dynamic, others do not. The top of the line Soundsmith Moving Iron cartridge, The Sussurro (Inspired by Frank Schröder of Schröder tonearms) and the Strain Gauge have a different slant on their sound from what I understand. Which is more real is open for debate.

My suggestion though because they are so different is to read reviews of the different cartridges and look to discussions perhaps on Audiogon.

Rich
 

flez007

Member Sponsor
Aug 31, 2010
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Mexico City
I second the Denon 103R and/or derivatives recommendation, it works well with the RB and has body and tracking capabilities for the kind of music you hear.

Another option is the Dynavector line, I would strongly suggest you to buy new if possible.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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I would never have thought about the Denon 103R, but will have a look and check things out. The Dynavector is already on the radar screen.....was looking at the 10X5 and possibly the 20X.

Thanks much.

John
 

mullard88

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2010
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Hi John72953,

I don't consider myself a vynil expert. I can just tell you that I have heard a Rega turntable and tonearm create nice music with a Benz cartridge. I just do not know the price range of the Benz cartridges. I also recall that the Denon 103D which I own is an inexpensive cartridge that make female voices alluring. An inexpensive cartridge that I really enjoy listening to for all kinds of music is the Grado Gold.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
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Calgary, AB
Hi mullard88,

I've had the Grado Ref Platinum and wouldn't want to drop below that, but yes the Grado Gold is a wonderfully round cartridge. Regarding the Benz offerings, I've looked at the Ace and the MC Gold. I need to find out a little more about SL/SM/SH designations though for use within my setup. I know what they are, but I don't know what their sonic differences are. If anyone could expand on that, It would be most appreciated.

John
 

flez007

Member Sponsor
Aug 31, 2010
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435
Mexico City
I would never have thought about the Denon 103R, but will have a look and check things out. The Dynavector is already on the radar screen.....was looking at the 10X5 and possibly the 20X.

Thanks much.

John

I upgraded my Denon 103R all the way up to a Dynavector Te-Kaitora, and giving the price differences and that the Dynavector was a more refined cartridge, the Denon stood-up as a great contender.
 

vinylphilemag

WBF Founding Member
Apr 30, 2010
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I've not heard it myself, but if their reputation (and my Parnassus) is anything to go by, try to check out Lyra's Dorian. It's a bit over your budget, but maybe a local dealer will do you a deal?
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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Seattle, WA
www.genesisloudspeakers.com
I will throw my hat in with the Denon 103R - and their derivatives. I have a stock Denon 103R that I use for the times when I have to demo with a "cheap" cartridge. It sounds fabulous for the price, and I would say that one of the strengths of this cartridge is the midrange. If you can get one of the wood-body versions (or do it yourself), it will take performance up a notch. Be sure that it's the /R version. The standard Denon 103 is not much cheaper, but the 103/R is far better.

 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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For your budget and musical tastes, I'd consider the ZYX R100 H. I have an Airy 3 S which like all their brothers, has very nice solidity and punch in the midbass. It made my 20xl sound limp wristed. SORA sound which used to be the US distributor has them in stock still and sells them for less than $700 brand new. The price at needle doctor for the lower model R50 H is $1,000. Many of my friends who are into Prog Rock use the R50.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Calgary, AB
After reading the opinions from all of you (thank you very much by the way), I have decided that it's going to be a choice between the Dynavector 10x5 and the Denon 103R. Both cartridges suit my budget comfortably without straining my resources.

The Dynavector is easily obtainable in Canada...not so with the Denon, which I'll likely have to order from the U.S. If I do decide on the Denon I'll likely buy it from Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor. Having never ordered from them I'd like for those who have to chime in about their Customer Service (if you don't mind).

Thanks for all of your help and information so far, it is greatly appreciated.

John
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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I've bought stuff from the Needle Doctor since I was living in Singapore over 10 years now. Mostly cartridges, record sleeves, and they used to sell LPs too, and have never had an issue. So, I've never had to call their customer service.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
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Calgary, AB
I've bought stuff from the Needle Doctor since I was living in Singapore over 10 years now. Mostly cartridges, record sleeves, and they used to sell LPs too, and have never had an issue. So, I've never had to call their customer service.

Thanks Gary for that vote of confidence. I'm not really worried about it, but you know.....you may as well ask in case.

John
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
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Calgary, AB
And the plot thickens!

I have an opportunity to buy the following from a friend.

Dynavector Karat 17D3 cartridge and the Dynavector P-75MKII phonostage for $925 total. Both are less than 6 months old, but the deal is I have to buy both. Not sure if I can swing that financially, but he is holding it for me for a week.

I think this is an outstanding deal and I would love to jump on it. What say you?

John

EDIT: The MSRP in Canada is $1,820 CDN for both........so half-price.
 
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