Hi All,
I know the question is somewhat dumb, but the search didn't yield any clear answers, so: I'm looking for an MC cartridge in the $1000 price range. I have a light ProJect 9cc Evolution tone arm that weighs 8g, so certain types are out of the question. I looked at the following types more closely, but in the end I was confused: Excalibur Gold Hana ML AT-OC9XSL Sumiko Songbird Low AT-ART9XI But I am open and grateful for further suggestions.
I know the question is somewhat dumb, but the search didn't yield any clear answers, so: I'm looking for an MC cartridge in the $1000 price range. I have a light ProJect 9cc Evolution tone arm that weighs 8g, so certain types are out of the question. I looked at the following types more closely, but in the end I was confused: Excalibur Gold Hana ML AT-OC9XSL Sumiko Songbird Low AT-ART9XI But I am open and grateful for further suggestions.
Hi, You are really wasting your money, putting one of those carts on the arm. They deserve a lots better arm than the 9cc, because it has an Eff Mass of only 9 grams, you will severely limit your cartridge choice.
Also all the carts mentioned require the SRA adjustment (stylus Rake angle) to be set up correctly at -92 degree, to sound at their best. So does to arm have precision height adjustment.
The place to go to find out if your arm & cart matches is the Korf calculator.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...usg=AOvVaw3PW80fE-0XtHSHSWo2yfHu&opi=89978449
Just plug in the cart/stylus data & in will show you if it is a match.
Cheers
Also all the carts mentioned require the SRA adjustment (stylus Rake angle) to be set up correctly at -92 degree, to sound at their best. So does to arm have precision height adjustment.
The place to go to find out if your arm & cart matches is the Korf calculator.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...usg=AOvVaw3PW80fE-0XtHSHSWo2yfHu&opi=89978449
Just plug in the cart/stylus data & in will show you if it is a match.
Cheers
There are weighted shims that can be added to the head shell if needed. For example:
https://www.audioadvisor.com/vphw
https://www.audioadvisor.com/vphw
Philosophical answer:
You won't know 'till you try. And you may not like what you choose. And if you can't afford to not like what you choose, don't do it.
My more general advice is "if you can't afford two of them, don't get one". Words to live by... :-D
You won't know 'till you try. And you may not like what you choose. And if you can't afford to not like what you choose, don't do it.
My more general advice is "if you can't afford two of them, don't get one". Words to live by... :-D
A couple of potential choices in this old thread: https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=85478
We'll assume your phono stage will support LOMC?
jeff
Oh well, exactly what I feared 🙂 In the meantime I've read up a lot, including that the Evo 9cc is said to be "not particularly good", whatever that means. In any case, I will do the check you recommended.
I also have a Phonosophy No. 1 with the Thorens TP 28 arm, will give that a chance too. And maybe start looking for a better/more suitable arm...
I have the ACE L, the older version, but after reassembling it at the weekend, I discovered that the cantilever was damaged... it's 14 years old and used it before I moved 13 years ago, so something must have happened. And the Benz Micro company is probably having problems, they were out of business for some time, if I am correctly informed.
Hi Jeff, yes, I have a Lehmann Black Cube and my next project is the Pearl 3.
Hi, If you consider replacing your arm, which to accept a decent MC is a must. Then I use a TemaadAudio 12'', which I bought in a kit form from them for around $450. They do an adaptor plate, that allows their arms to be fitted to virtually any T/T. Simple build & sound wonderful.
Currently I am using a S/H Ortofon Kontrapunkt "b" model & my system really sings. Later when needed I will get the Ortofon re-tipped.
Cheers
Currently I am using a S/H Ortofon Kontrapunkt "b" model & my system really sings. Later when needed I will get the Ortofon re-tipped.
Cheers
A good choice to consider is the AT33PTG/II, or one of the AT-OC9Xxx models. Pretty close to ideal specs for that arms effective mass. Look to the AT33 if tend more towards rock, I think.
Thanks @vanofmonks , I also think toward AT, but I plan to go for the ART9XI.
After reading many many reviews and considering my requirements (almost no rock, for example) I think/hope it's the best solution.
PS: the check of my ACE L was sad, the cantilever is bent...
After reading many many reviews and considering my requirements (almost no rock, for example) I think/hope it's the best solution.
PS: the check of my ACE L was sad, the cantilever is bent...
Hi Istvan,
I would stick to using the Project 9ccEvo, too.
Did you consider to ask a repair shop like techne-audio.de to fix your Benz Ace ?
Klaus
I would stick to using the Project 9ccEvo, too.
Did you consider to ask a repair shop like techne-audio.de to fix your Benz Ace ?
Klaus
Hi Klaus,
yes, I will stick to the Evo.
The ACE is 14 years old and badly damaged and it could be a very expensive fix - and Benz Micro is possibly not in the business anymore... so, after considering everything, I will go for a new cartridge.
yes, I will stick to the Evo.
The ACE is 14 years old and badly damaged and it could be a very expensive fix - and Benz Micro is possibly not in the business anymore... so, after considering everything, I will go for a new cartridge.
Hi All,
new situation, same problem: I still NEED an MC cartridge. New situation because I now have the Pearl 3 😁 I've done a lot of reading and tried to define my preferences. In the end, it's clear: I don't like bright or harsh mids and highs. Based on the tests and opinions I've read, Sumiko, Hana, Audio Technica, etc., would fall into this category - this may or may not be true, I really don't know.
Under these circumstances, could you please recommend a cartridge for up to €/$1,000? I have a light (8 grams) and a not-so-light (12.5 grams) tonearm. Ortofon, maybe?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
Istvan
new situation, same problem: I still NEED an MC cartridge. New situation because I now have the Pearl 3 😁 I've done a lot of reading and tried to define my preferences. In the end, it's clear: I don't like bright or harsh mids and highs. Based on the tests and opinions I've read, Sumiko, Hana, Audio Technica, etc., would fall into this category - this may or may not be true, I really don't know.
Under these circumstances, could you please recommend a cartridge for up to €/$1,000? I have a light (8 grams) and a not-so-light (12.5 grams) tonearm. Ortofon, maybe?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
Istvan
Hi Istvan.......
I have a lot of cartridges. Unfortunately, being a retiree has forced me to sell the best of them.
Nevertheless......... No doubt, the best "bang for the buck" out there is Audio Technica´s AT33-PTG/II
It has a huge soundstage when setup correctly. It´s dead silent in the grooves due to the ML-needle.
It has better spec´s than the AT-OC9 series. Every time I got something better, I sold them, but for some strange
reason, I always came back to the PTG/II. I´m on my 4.th as I write this.
Have a listen to, what it can do 😉
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ia73...ey=uiolg1qiilbh8q2r78imtwru1&st=50zqohbg&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/667v...ey=omk2zhp5bwonraf3ljlnmgudx&st=9gdjnflz&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l0mm...ey=gbyrm34id4wkffemzg38a4zio&st=jz5qviex&dl=0
Best of luck in finding the correct cartridge for YOUR ears
PS..... Did I forget to mention?? The examples are all through the Pearl-3.
I have a lot of cartridges. Unfortunately, being a retiree has forced me to sell the best of them.
Nevertheless......... No doubt, the best "bang for the buck" out there is Audio Technica´s AT33-PTG/II
It has a huge soundstage when setup correctly. It´s dead silent in the grooves due to the ML-needle.
It has better spec´s than the AT-OC9 series. Every time I got something better, I sold them, but for some strange
reason, I always came back to the PTG/II. I´m on my 4.th as I write this.
Have a listen to, what it can do 😉
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ia73...ey=uiolg1qiilbh8q2r78imtwru1&st=50zqohbg&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/667v...ey=omk2zhp5bwonraf3ljlnmgudx&st=9gdjnflz&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l0mm...ey=gbyrm34id4wkffemzg38a4zio&st=jz5qviex&dl=0
Best of luck in finding the correct cartridge for YOUR ears
PS..... Did I forget to mention?? The examples are all through the Pearl-3.