Stylus AWOL

[Bigman80]

Was a Nagaoka MP11 on here a few days back for pennies. I'd have a go at that.

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[DSJR]

Thanks chaps...cant say Im overly enamoured with the carbon-Daves stodgy description is spot on, also a bit crackly even on new vinyl!!!

Grant you read my mind-the shoe budget is on a shaky nail( seeing as I just spent 30 minutes raking through hoover dust in the bin outside with my son holding the torch swearing lots).

Rega recommend a cart in the upgrade pack-reckon a ton would be my psychological limit.

Quick reply - the Carbon is NOT a UK made Rega cartridge and I prefer it to the Bias models and even the Elys, which are made in their factory and used to suffer a terminal bass rise with a softening of definition, which destroyed any trace of neutrality for me - maybe they've tamed it now, but the Exact still does it, albeit far less than the others. The Carbon tracks at UNDER 2g and I personally found 1.8g was best if the bass wasn't to get too 'plummy.' At around 1.8g, there's some life and bounce and one can completely forget the very low price - in my opinion. More than 2g (as I heard the AT91 and ancestors years ago) and it really does get thick and stodgy.

[brian2957]

I've got an AT95E and a Shure M44-7 here mate . I'll bring them over ASAP but I may have to enlist Gary to help setting it up . If you like either of them you can keep it

[DSJR]

M44-7 has a HUGE output, double most others, so be warned as distortion may be the phono stage overloading and not mistracking in my experience...

[RichB]

Hmm. I always quite like a Rega cart on a Rega deck. Bias or Exact maybe? Mind you, for that money you could probably get a better deck/cart combination on here.

[brian2957]

M44-7 has a HUGE output, double most others, so be warned as distortion may be the phono stage overloading and not mistracking in my experience...

Thanks Dave , I'll bear that in mind

[hifi_dave]

No idea where this 'forum myth' of Rega cartridges being "dull and stodgy" comes from, as they are anything but. I sell more Rega cartridges than all the others put together and can't recall anyone complaining of them being "dull". They might not be bright but they are not "stodgy" as a quick listen will confirm.

[walpurgis]

No idea where this 'forum myth' of Rega cartridges being "dull and stodgy" comes from, as they are anything but. I sell more Rega cartridges than all the others put together and can't recall anyone complaining of them being "dull". They might not be bright but they are not "stodgy" as a quick listen will confirm.

I've heard Rega cartridges sounding very good. But never had decent results on my system. Same with Nagoakas. I think it must be a system balance characteristic. My gear is set up to sound just right with Deccas and ZYX MC's (amongst others).

[hifi_dave]

Early and I mean very early, Rega cartridges had a warm balance but the past 10 years or so, they have become far more neutral. I believe this coincides with Rega's manufacturing being all in house.

Put a Rega cartridge on a Rega turntable or on a Rega arm and you can appreciate the speed and neutral balance.

Decca cartridges are very fast and dynamic and they make practically everything else sound "stodgy". The closest I have heard to a Decca is Rega's Apheta MC - a very lively and snappy cartridge.

[walpurgis]

Put a Rega cartridge on a Rega turntable or on a Rega arm and you can appreciate the speed and neutral balance.

Definitely. I've only heard Rega carts at their best on Rega turntables.