Ortofon Cadenza Blue and KAB modified stock tonearm

[ragwo]

I've just managed to get my hands on a real bargain, an almost unused Ortofon Cadenza Blue in pristine condition for less money than a new 2M Black
After some hours in an euphoric state, a little doubt appeared in the back of my head; will my current SL1210 setup do this excellent PU justice?
I have a KAB modified stock tonearm with dampening and Cardas wiring, Cardas headshell cables and RCA cables and fluid damper, KAB external PSU, upgraded regulator and strobe disabler, Isonoe feet and a Funk Firm Achromat.
Of course, I'm hoping for a big, synonymous "YES!" in reply but I would also like tips and advice for not too expensive upgrades and tweaks to serve the PU right.

All replies will be highly appreciated

[Audio Al]

After some hours in an euphoric state,

I think you answered your own question , Just enjoy as is for now

[twotone]

I think you answered your own question , Just enjoy as is for now

Think he means at the purchase, don't think the cart is on his arm/deck yet.

[ragwo]

I think you answered your own question , Just enjoy as is for now

Thanks for the quick reply
I'm currently using a stock Technics headshell, would I gain much changing it for i.e. a Sumiko headshell?

Think he means at the purchase, don't think the cart is on his arm/deck yet.

Spot on, I haven't received the cart yet.

[twotone]

I don't think the arm will do the cart justice but I'm no expert however send it to me and I'll test it as I have Micro Seiki MA-202 that almost certainly will

BTW, well done on the purchase

[ragwo]

I don't think the arm will do the cart justice but I'm no expert however send it to me and I'll test it as I have Micro Seiki MA-202 that almost certainly will

BTW, well done on the purchase

Just PM me with your address an I'll send it as soon as I receive it
So how much better is the Micro Seiki MA-202 and is it compatible at all with a 1210? (l don't know if you have a Techie or not) I see that the MA-202 is reasonably priced compared to Audiomods etc on eBay.

[twotone]

Just PM me with your address an I'll send it as soon as I receive it
So how much better is the Micro Seiki MA-202 and is it compatible at all with a 1210? (l don't know if you have a Techie or not) I see that the MA-202 is reasonably priced compared to Audiomods etc on eBay.

Night day difference Ragnar, yes I have Technics 1200 mk 2, my arm is fitted to the deck with one of Speedy Steve's ebony armboards.

Think I read a thread somewhere on the forum that said the stock arm can only really play up to a certain cart,.i.e it isn't any use for a 2M black so you would have to use a 2M blue for example (wasn't that cart but you get my drift) might even have been the cart that you've bought that was considered ok but that you really couldn't go up the range of carts to the top.

Found it

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...076#post552076


BTW, I paid just over £300 for my arm delivered from Hong Kong and it came with a MS HL-202 headshell which is worth about £60, the arm board is roughly £100 delivered and worth every penny.

[Andrei]

Hi there
I am sure you will get an improvement when you put in the new cart. I have not heard the Cadenza series but they they have a great reputation. In order to get the best out of any component all the other components should be more-or less equivalent. Looking at your sig it appears to me that the areas where you would benefit most lie with the TT. The tonearm is one such area - the bearing, platter and power supply are others. So I think a good tonearm will help. A Jelco 750D is a safe choice but maybe you can do better. If you are sure you do not want the convenience of swap-able headshells then an Origin Live arm may be the ticket.

[ragwo]

Night day difference Ragnar, yes I have Technics 1200 mk 2, my arm is fitted to the deck with one of Speedy Steve's ebony armboards.

Think I read a thread somewhere on the forum that said the stock arm can only really play up to a certain cart,.i.e it isn't any use for a 2M black so you would have to use a 2M blue for example (wasn't that cart but you get my drift) might even have been the cart that you've bought that was considered ok but that you really couldn't go up the range of carts to the top.

Found it

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...076#post552076


BTW, I paid just over £300 for my arm delivered from Hong Kong and it came with a MS HL-202 headshell which is worth about £60, the arm board is roughly £100 delivered and worth every penny.

Thank you for the informative reply :-)
It seems like I have a long upgrade path ahead. I really like the s-shaped stock tonearm so the HL-202 seems like a good choice aesthetic wise. On the fly VTA change is also a really nice feature. What would you say is the H-202s biggest strength? What is the largest difference between the stock tonearm and the H-202? Have you by any chance compared an upgraded stock tonearm with the H-202?

[ragwo]

Hi there
I am sure you will get an improvement when you put in the new cart. I have not heard the Cadenza series but they they have a great reputation. In order to get the best out of any component all the other components should be more-or less equivalent. Looking at your sig it appears to me that the areas where you would benefit most lie with the TT. The tonearm is one such area - the bearing, platter and power supply are others. So I think a good tonearm will help. A Jelco 750D is a safe choice but maybe you can do better. If you are sure you do not want the convenience of swap-able headshells then an Origin Live arm may be the ticket.

Thank you for the reply
It's quite right what you're writing, the chain isn't stronger than its weakest link. I can imagine that I would benefit from a new tonearm. The Origin Live is way too expensive at the moment, so I have to find another option. The Jelco 750D seems like a good choice. Are there any other alternatives in that price range?
I really do appreciate your help