One of the reasons my Dual 1249 may sound so good, to me, is that it is located in a closet.
The Closet is almost dust free. haven't had to wipe the dust cover in a couple of years. And the boards, the components rest on, rest on wall mounted 1" x 1" pieces of wood that are the full length of the depth of the closet. This makes getting to the back of components a little easier because the boards easily slide. That is one can be pushed all the way in and another can be pulled out a bit. I also have a 12" x 3" mirror that hangs on the back wall. I spent a 1/2 hour trying to get the pic vertical but gave up.
The Closet is almost dust free. haven't had to wipe the dust cover in a couple of years. And the boards, the components rest on, rest on wall mounted 1" x 1" pieces of wood that are the full length of the depth of the closet. This makes getting to the back of components a little easier because the boards easily slide. That is one can be pushed all the way in and another can be pulled out a bit. I also have a 12" x 3" mirror that hangs on the back wall. I spent a 1/2 hour trying to get the pic vertical but gave up.
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Now that I've decided to keep my Dual 1249 I think a hi-output MC cartridge might be a nice improvement There are many on ebay and I don't want to spend more than $300. What would be a good match?
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After some research it seems the NOS SAE 1000lt MC cart might be a good match. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I passed on the NOS SAE 1000lt MC cart. I've got a reply, on another forum, that some carts suspension is rubber and some types of rubber can harden over time, I did a bit more research and found documents that list types of rubber and shelf life. Most types have a shelf life of 5 to 10 years. Based on that I'm only going to buy new. What would be a good, new, $300 max, MC cart for the Dual 1249.
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The moving-magnet Audio-Technica VM540ML is in your price range. I have its predecessor, the AT440ML.
It is an honest cartridge. Records and CDs of the same material are indistinguishable, at least in a few-second A/B comparison. It may need the loading capacitors in the pre-amp to be de-soldered.
I had a Grado cartridge a long time ago. It had inner-groove distortion that I thought was inherent to records.
I also had a Ortofon high-output MC cartridge. It lasted as long as the stylus.
The AT cartridge is much better.
Ed
It is an honest cartridge. Records and CDs of the same material are indistinguishable, at least in a few-second A/B comparison. It may need the loading capacitors in the pre-amp to be de-soldered.
I had a Grado cartridge a long time ago. It had inner-groove distortion that I thought was inherent to records.
I also had a Ortofon high-output MC cartridge. It lasted as long as the stylus.
The AT cartridge is much better.
Ed
Now that I'm starting to use the Dual I thought a turntable mat may be and improvement. In searches the Achromat popped up often. It sells for $95 to $150...ouch, seems to get the highest praise. Ads say it works so well because the material is very similar to vinyl LPs and is quite stiff. One forum had lots of posts about the Achromat, and one poster had a clever idea. Why not use an old LP as a mat. Has anyone tried this?
You need to tell us what problem you are trying to solve.
I use a stack of three records as a VTA adjustment.
Ed
I use a stack of three records as a VTA adjustment.
Ed
I think anyone who ist about to spent $95 to $150 in such a simple device as a TT mat still is in search of some problem 🙂.
EDGR is absolutely correct above. I have owned alot of different carts over 45 years starting with Shures. Both MM and MC. Todays carts have excellent examples of both. But I strongly agree with Ed on the AT540ML it truly is a giant killer as the reviews agree. I'using the 740 metal version now but actually think the 540 is SLIGHTLY better. Any way i have many carts around that have very little play time that I would get rid of cheap. Some of the same we are talking about both MC and MM. Instead of sitting on shelf would love to see them be used.
Has anyone tried a mat on a Dual 1249. I ask because the integral, molded rubber mat has three raised circular rings, that are 4mm wide, that the LP rests on. So a very high percentage of the LP surface area is not in contact with anything but air. It would seem the unsupported area could be prone to vibrate. Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.
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I think sound differences you might get with a mat would be minimal at best, ive tried before. I think what does make a bigger difference would be a record clamp or weight. Holding a loose record down with some level of force does make a difference that is noticeable. I like the clamping or screw down like VPI uses. If weight make sure your bearing can support.
I concur with the AT540ML, but notice that it, as ALL AT carts do, copes only with relatively small load capacitances (up to just 200 pF, IIRC). Otherwise it may sound harsh.
The 1249 stock mat is the same as the 1229 and 701 mats. Never heard of any complaints about them, at least unless they have hardened over the decades.
Best regards!
The 1249 stock mat is the same as the 1229 and 701 mats. Never heard of any complaints about them, at least unless they have hardened over the decades.
Best regards!
Very much doubt it - tap the edge of an LP, does it ring? No, its pretty well damped all my itself being made of plasticised PVC, and the rubber mat is highly damping too - it would have to be supported at its nodes anyway to be able to vibrate and the chances of that happening are low unless the mat designer had gone out of their way to identify the nodal radii for the third or higher circular modes of a typical LP (how would you even do that??)
Years ago someone gave me an Achromat that was on an LP12. It's crap, but I'm thinking that the newer ones may be better?
Around the same time I bought a Technics SL-1200M3D that came with slip mats, so I bought a Herbie's mat for it. It is a great mat, and also works well on my old LP12.
jeff
Yes, I agree with the qualities of the Audio-Technica AT-VM540ML : excellent...
... And perfect for my Technics SL-1200G turntable :
About the cable supplied with the TT :
I use it with the AT-VM540ML and it is fine, total capacity being circa 180-200pF.
About the mats - a friend of mine (a Garrard fan) had some, and we made tests :
So I stayed with the Technics, the best compromise. For these tests, we used a 400gr pressure puck :
Of course, with another TT and Cartridge, the conclusion may have been different !
T
... And perfect for my Technics SL-1200G turntable :
About the cable supplied with the TT :
I use it with the AT-VM540ML and it is fine, total capacity being circa 180-200pF.
About the mats - a friend of mine (a Garrard fan) had some, and we made tests :
- Aluminium, Garrard = treble are bright, bass are subdued, more bass set back with the Garrard.
- Leather = well balanced, not too high, not too low.
- Rubber-Cork = more bass, but dull treble.
- Original Technics SL-1200G mat = as Leather, plus slightly more bass and treble, recalling both tones of the Aluminium and Rubber-Cork.
So I stayed with the Technics, the best compromise. For these tests, we used a 400gr pressure puck :
Of course, with another TT and Cartridge, the conclusion may have been different !
T
Thanks for the info. Now a question about VTA. Is VTA correct when, the cartridge is properly set up, including the proper tracking force, and the stylus is resting on the LP surface, the arm tube is parallel to the surface of the LP?
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I think its still possible to get Denon DL-110 with that budget.
I bought it last winter as my first MC cart. Excellent tracker, huge soundstage, well balanced sound with beautiful, warm and silky highs.
1249 has light tonearm, around 7 grams, so additional 3-4 grams weight is necessary for proper resonance.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/STDHDSHWT.html