So my neighbors have asked me to assist with a new cartridge for their Technics SL-D202 TT. The arm seems quite nice with tight gimbals and an S shape. I think this would hold a fairly serious cartridge and do it justice. Must be moving magnet.
I'm prejudiced toward Ortofons (I own one) and my vote here goes to the 2M Blue at $200 and the stretch buy is the 2M Black LVB250 at $1000. I don't know the Audio-Technicas at all and would love some input there - especially the more esoteric shapes (Micro-Line and such). Please share your opinion, and thank you in advance.
I'm prejudiced toward Ortofons (I own one) and my vote here goes to the 2M Blue at $200 and the stretch buy is the 2M Black LVB250 at $1000. I don't know the Audio-Technicas at all and would love some input there - especially the more esoteric shapes (Micro-Line and such). Please share your opinion, and thank you in advance.
I own an AT440ML which is the predecessor to the VM540ML. The Microline stylus has no inner groove distortion and can reach far down into the grooves so that used records sound new.
These cartridges require 0pF loading in the pre-amp. You may need to desolder the loading capacitors.
Records and CDs of the same material sound nearly indistinguishable.
Ed
These cartridges require 0pF loading in the pre-amp. You may need to desolder the loading capacitors.
Records and CDs of the same material sound nearly indistinguishable.
Ed
AT-VM95ML would be another option. More than adequate assuming this is a budget system.
jeff
The AT-VM-540ML is my first choice. The sound is so neutral and detailed. If you want to exaggerate certain areas of vinyl reproduction you can buy other cartridges of course, but this is an expensive way of tuning your system. (or go back to using an amplifier with Tone- Controls!) I would rather start with a pure accurate highly detailed source and adjust the obvious shortcomings of the other components.... OR simply ACCEPT that the sound you are hearing, is the actual transcription of the sound of the record you are playing! The VM 540ML is immensely accurate and detailed and uncoloured. I would say it outperforms nearly all other cartridges including moving coils... FINALY something that is VERY important, the Micro-line stylus results in SUPERBLY quiet background groove noise... this makes such a difference. Sometimes it is so quiet on good records, that I think I have missed the record when I lower the arm down to play!
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You guys are hitting the mark, that's for sure. I have 3 different cartridges, all in the same ballpark price wise. A MI cartridge (dam, I can't think of the name of it) which surprised me at how well I liked it, an AT95SE that I got from LP Gear, and for the most part I like it, and just the other day, I took a chance on a Shure V15II with a Jico stylus, which looks to have a sapphire cantilever. In each one of these cases, the set-up is as important as the cartridge being used. My guess is that for less than $500, there are more choices than you would expect to have. I saw on US Audio Mart a used Grado Sonata for $250 just the other day. Having said that, it is a laid back sound that I remember from owning that cartridge.
Keep us posted as to the results, and yah, be careful about buying used.
Keep us posted as to the results, and yah, be careful about buying used.
I have a couple of ATs; an AT440ML on my Thorens TD320 mk. I, and bought an AT VM750SH for my TD320 mkII, which I haven't installed yet. I did like the 440 on the earlier Thorens, though I never tried it with the Salas phono stage I built. I had a Project RM5.1SE which had an Ortofon 2M Bronze on it. I've always found the Ortofons to be too bright for me and can't say I miss it.
I'm a big fan of Shure V15VMx cartridges with JICO stylus, I have one with Boron and another with Sapphire cantilever. However, I bought a Goldring 1042 MM cartridge with a fine line stylus, it sounds full and rich compared to the Shure. It also has a replacement stylus like the Shure, they are twice the price in the USA, I bought mine off eBay from Cyprus for $400, a bargain!
Forgive me for budding in here, but I totally agree with @elwood625
Don´t know the prices in US, but at least for Europe, I think the best bagain you can get Sound/Value for money-wise
ir the Goldring G-1042.
With it´s Fritz Gyger-S stylus, it is superior to all the common AT´s.
And..... if you´re into warm fullness in sound, forget about Ortofon´s 2M series.
Theu are nothing but OM´s in new housing at a far too high price point for the value.
The only worth while of these were the OM-40, which used to come with the same FG-S needle. It doesn´t anymore.
Don´t know the prices in US, but at least for Europe, I think the best bagain you can get Sound/Value for money-wise
ir the Goldring G-1042.
With it´s Fritz Gyger-S stylus, it is superior to all the common AT´s.
And..... if you´re into warm fullness in sound, forget about Ortofon´s 2M series.
Theu are nothing but OM´s in new housing at a far too high price point for the value.
The only worth while of these were the OM-40, which used to come with the same FG-S needle. It doesn´t anymore.