MC Cartridge suggestions!

[phibes]

Hi everyone,

I've been using the Shure V15VxMR MM cartridge for the past nine months and I'm extremely happy with the performance of the Shure (I have used MM cartridges exclusively for the past 30 yrs). I would like to use/experiment with a MC cartridge in conjunction with the Shure and would appreciate any suggestions from Forum members as to what you would recommend I should use. The Shure was about $800 AUD and I suppose I would be expecting to pay that much and up to say $1500 AUD for the MC cartridge.
My TT is a Rega P25 with RB600 arm.
Thanks in advance to all.

Cheers,

[sreten]

Originally posted by phibes
I would like to use/experiment with a MC cartridge in conjunction with the Shure....... Cheers,

I'd just caution that swapping cartridges in the Rega is no trivial
task, especially if the height of the tone arm needs to be adjusted.

Ideally you should approach this by demonstration, but chances
of finding a dealer who will demonstrate different cartridges are slim.

If MC's are better than MM's, there should be some cost point at
which paying more for a MC is not justified, they should compete
on equal terms, I'd suggest this is around 200 to 300 $ (US).

The quality of the MC step up is also an issue to be considered,
you may be better with a high output Moving Coil.

I'm not going to offer an opinion on expensive MC's, IMO the
arm and turntable its attached to are far more important than
the actual cartridge used (if its decent) regarding the end result.

Ortofon's MC cartridges are pretty good IMO.

I use an Ortofon MC15 Super II with a RB250, fine line stylus - but
tracks at 2.2g, on a modded Systemdek turntable, nice / neutral IMO.


sreten.

[innernerd]

Being in Australia you should have access to the Denon range of
mc carts at good prices. The DL103 is very good value.
If you dont have the necessary gain in your preamp then Dynavectors' range of high ourput mc carts might be the place to look.

[phibes]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice and I'll certainly take it onboard. I am fully aware of the adjustment necessary with the Rega arm as I went through all that when I fitted the Shure. Whatever MC cartridge I end up with, it will be left in the arm for extended periods of time. I don't intend swapping and changing constantly. I would just like to experience a good MC cartridge after all these years using MM cartridges. Perhaps I won't like the experience as much as the Shure!
I feel the ME phono stage will support low output MC cartridges and incidently, I have had the Denon MC cartridges recommended to me by others who always give them a good rap.
Cheers

[sreten]

The Denon DL103 is a classic broadcasters cartridge
with a spherical tip and very good for playing singles.

The classic Denon hi-fi model is the high output DL110.

sreten.

[DrewP]

I'm using an Ortofon MC20 Supreme and have been very happy with it.

a friend has the Denon s1s (above your target price) but the 103 and 301 are well regarded. The only caution I'd give with the denons is that the s1s and 301 have a high compliance and i have seen the s1s bottom out on steep warps that my ortofon tracks without any grief at all. If everything is perfectly flat then it's no hassles, just something to be aware of.

drew

[Nickolas K.]

Go for an Ortofon!!!

They are very well built, very reliable and once you set one up you don't have to fiddle around to fine-tune it.
They just play music.

Their new Kontrapunkt models are excellent value for money but
if you can afford it go for the Jubilee. And if you cannot afford right now, be patient and save money to get it in a couple of months

Some people say the Jubilee is one of the finest cartridges ever made, others say it's the best Ortofon ever made and others say it's the second best after Ortofon's MC7500.

Here they are:

[Audiofanatic]

Hi Guys,

For me the best MC for the $$$$$$ is the Shelter 901.
I had the Van Den Hul MC one Special and the Kontapunkt the blue one. But the best one is and will be (for me) the Shelter 901.

Frank, if you are reading this post can you please tell me what the name is of that beautifull Belgian MC Cartridge? Something like Aerts?


Best regards,


Audiofanatic

[Nickolas K.]

I think it's Alaerts. Jim Alaerts is the man behind them.

Cannot tell about the Shelter, i haven't heard it.

In the 25+ years i have been listening to music i had Suppex, Karma, Koetsu, Dynavector, vdH mc1, mc2, mc1s, Grasshopper 1,2,3, a custom made-low output Grasshopper White Beauty SPX (i still have this one), a Monster SG2000 and the two Ortofons i have been using for the last 3 years.

I fell in love with 2 of them: the Monster and the Ortofon MC7500.

Hisayoshi Nakatsuka (he was making the Monsters) is still making cartridges, the ZYX, but they are not that easy to get and the top of the line R-1000 costs a little less than 7000 Euro.

As for the Ortofon, if we could only persuade Per Windfeld to design a Jubilee with the MC7500 generator, cantilever and stylus.

In the meantime i am dreaming of the ZYX R-1000.

Sleep well,

Nick

[Audiofanatic]

Originally posted by Nickolas K.
I think it's Alaerts. Jim Alaerts is the man behind them.

Cannot tell about the Shelter, i haven't heard it.

In the 25+ years i have been listening to music i had Suppex, Karma, Koetsu, Dynavector, vdH mc1, mc2, mc1s, Grasshopper 1,2,3, a custom made-low output Grasshopper White Beauty SPX (i still have this one), a Monster SG2000 and the two Ortofons i have been using for the last 3 years.

I fell in love with 2 of them: the Monster and the Ortofon MC7500.

Hisayoshi Nakatsuka (he was making the Monsters) is still making cartridges, the ZYX, but they are not that easy to get and the top of the line R-1000 costs a little less than 7000 Euro.

As for the Ortofon, if we could only persuade Per Windfeld to design a Jubilee with the MC7500 generator, cantilever and stylus.

In the meantime i am dreaming of the ZYX R-1000.

Sleep well,

Nick

We both have something in common!
You don't know the Shelter 901 and I don't know the MC7500.
I'm sure it's a great cartridge, but the price is realy something!

And Yes! it's the Jim Alaerts, never heard of him until a read a post of our dear forum member Frank.

All the best for the new year.

Audiofanatic

This will be (I think) my last post for this year,
till next year! Best regards