Which cartridge should I use?

[wgmontgomery]

Hi! This is my 1st time here & my 1st post, so please forgive me if my post is in the wrong place...

I have two cartridges and need some advice...which one to use on my Music Hall mmf 5.1SE?

F)(WIW-I also have a Thorens TD105)

Cart 1= Shure V15 iii

Cart 2=Goldring G2400

I'll post more info (Associated equipment, music etc.) in a little while; I have a couple of errands to run.

Thanks to all for any help offered!!

 

[wgmontgomery]

Associated equipment:
Music Hall 5.1 SE, Thorens TD-105, handmade tube phono preamp (kind of like a Bottlehead, Parasound Halo Preamp, Dynaudio BM11As powered monitors on IsoAcoustic stands, 2 Kreisel Sound DXD12012s, Monster &/or silver plated cables, Monster HTS 3500 Reference power conditioner

 

[audio.bill]

Pretty easy choice... I'd go with the Goldring G2400. It's several decades newer (cartridge suspensions age over time even when not used) and Music Hall tables are commonly sold with Goldring cartridges so there's some synergy. Good luck and enjoy the tunes!

 

[wgmontgomery]

Thanks! I was kind of leaning toward the Goldring, but it's kind of difficult to A-B them!

I have the V15 iii installed on the Thorens, and the Goldring is on the Music Hall (it was on the 5.1SE just like you stated) mmf 5.1SE.

The G2400 seems to have less output than the Shure, but it IS *MI vs MM. IMO it's also more open and uncolored than the older Shure.

The V15 MAY have a bit more PRONOUNCED bass, but the higher output could be coloring my perception. I also stress the word "pronounced;" the Shure didn't seem to go deeper or have any more definition than the 2400. There just seemed to be MORE (not necessarily better...or worse for that matter) bass. Again, it may very well seem that way due to a hotter signal.

The major drawback of the Goldring (IMO) is the price and availability of a replacement stylus vs the Shure:

An elliptical stylus for the Shure starts at <$20. The V15 iii came with a hyper elliptical stylus; for <$120 the Shure can be restored to factory spec!

The Goldring stylus goes for over $350...if you can find one! One retailer that I contacted offered the G2400 CARTRIDGE for less than the 2400 stylus. It should also be noted that Goldring G2xxx cartridge line share the same body; for example, the difference between a G2400 and G2500 is the stylus...and the price!

My heart felt THANKS goes out to Audio Bill for his input!!

*The G2400 was originally listed as a MI cartridge, but "newer versions" are advertised as MM.