Question about Low-compliance vs High-compliance.

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #1

If someone has a MM phonostage and 2 cartridges from the same manufacturer are available, which does he choose? Does it matter? What would be the difference in sound?

I'm looking at getting the Grado Reference Platinum 1, but there is also a Grado Statement Platinum 1. Both are the same price. Both are MI cartridges. One is Low, one is High.

I've had the Reference before and I really like it, but I can get a deal ($150) on a Statement with 100 hours on it, that's if he gets back to me.

Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks!

John

 

M

mep

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John-The weight of your tonearm will determine which cartridge is suitable for your arm. High mass arms work with low compliance cartridges and low mass arms work well with high compliance cartridges as a general rule.

 

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #3

mep said:

John-The weight of your tonearm will determine which cartridge is suitable for your arm. High mass arms work with low compliance cartridges and low mass arms work well with high compliance cartridges as a general rule.

Click to expand...

Mark - I have a Rega RB250. Would that work?

 

puroagave

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #4

John72953 said:

If someone has a MM phonostage and 2 cartridges from the same manufacturer are available, which does he choose? Does it matter? What would be the difference in sound?

I'm looking at getting the Grado Reference Platinum 1, but there is also a Grado Statement Platinum 1. Both are the same price. Both are MI cartridges. One is Low, one is High.

I've had the Reference before and I really like it, but I can get a deal ($150) on a Statement with 100 hours on it, that's if he gets back to me.

Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks!

John

Click to expand...

the compliance is the same on both cartridges (20 Cu) and should work fine with the Rb250, but the output is low at 0.5 mv. A MM phonostage wont have enough gain unless you put a SUT in front of it to boost it by 30 db or more. What cartridge are you currently using?

 

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #5

puroagave said:

the compliance is the same on both cartridges (20 Cu) and should work fine with the Rb250, but the output is low at 0.5 mv. A MM phonostage wont have enough gain unless you put a SUT in front of it to boost it by 30 db or more. What cartridge are you currently using?

Click to expand...

Rob - What is an SUT? I'm using a crappy Sumiko Pearl right now GRRRRR. The phonostage is actually the phono section of a PS Audio Audio 4.6 preamp. I don't know if that is MM or MM/MC capable.

 

puroagave

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sorry, step up transformer. the Ps audio 4.6 has a MC stage and should have the gain you need.

 

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #7

puroagave said:

sorry, step up transformer. the Ps audio 4.6 has a MC stage and should have the gain you need.

Click to expand...

Nice! Thank you Sir Rob! Now here's hoping the guy gets back to me. I've already sent him 2 emails today and I know I was the first to send one. He posted 2 minutes before I saw the ad.

 

M

mep

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I hope it works out for you John.

 

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #9

mep said:

I hope it works out for you John.

Click to expand...

Just found out he sold it. I offered him full price, but I think he found someone local or they offered more. Damn...it was a good deal. Anyway, I'm not deterred as they come up fairly often and I'll get one soon enough. Still a bummer though.

 

M

mep

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• #10

How much was it John?

 

Johnny Vinyl

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• Nov 8, 2012

• #11

The retail in Canada is $350 and he asked $150 with only 100 hours on it.