Cartridge advice please

[Bonky]

Equipment: Roksan Nima arm with an Inspire Apollo deck. At present I have an AT05MC cartridge - but this must be past it's best by now. It feeds a Cambridge CP2 phono preamp.

Budget is a little limited. I was initially thinking of 'downgrading' to an Ortofon Blue or Bronze (both MM).

However, I like the clarity and smoothness of MC.

I was wondering about:
Dyn 10x5
At OC9ML 2. or 3
Sumiko Blue point

The AT models are the cheapest.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Richard.

[Barry]

Pick-up cartidges, like all electromechanical transducers are very much to the personal taste of the listener.

Of those you list, I only have experience of the Sumiko Blue Point (Special). On paper it is a superb cartridge and when listening to it I could not fault it for things like detail, tonal balance, neutrality, soundstaging etc., save for one fatal shortcoming - it did not involve me: I would often find myself just not listening to the music. Probably just me; other will report different impressions, but I can only report as I find.

The Audio Technica OC9 gets good reviews, so why not try to find a dealer where you can listen to one?

Sorry to be a bit negative.
Barry

[Bigman80]

There are a couple of good carts on here I think. An AT33EV? A very nice cart for around £300. I'd recommend a ZYX. Best cart I've ever owned. By a mile.

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[Bigman80]

Here you go,. Either will be excellent.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...7&share_type=t

FS Nice couple of carts

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[Bonky]

Here you go,. Either will be excellent.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...7&share_type=t

FS Nice couple of carts

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Excellent; thanks; I've sent a PM but fear I may be too late.

...and Oliver ...thanks too...

BW

Bonky

[Bigman80]

Excellent; thanks; I've sent a PM but fear I may be too late.

...and Oliver ...thanks too...

BW

Bonky

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[Bonky]

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

Nope, I got it...

Obviously not received it yet.

It's output is only 0.3mV - the AT I've got is 0.4mV and I think my pre-amp - a Cambridge CP2 is a little on the 'low' side. It feeds a passive preamp so I may need to increase the sensitivity of the Quad 306 (easy to do)/

Unless, of course, the cogniscentii have other ideas...?


And, thanks again Oliver.

BW

Bonky

[Bigman80]

Nope, I got it...

Obviously not received it yet.

It's output is only 0.3mV - the AT I've got is 0.4mV and I think my pre-amp - a Cambridge CP2 is a little on the 'low' side. It feeds a passive preamp so I may need to increase the sensitivity of the Quad 306 (easy to do)/

Unless, of course, the cogniscentii have other ideas...?


And, thanks again Oliver.

BW

Bonky

No worries Richard,

The AT!

I think they are right up there with the best. If I was in the market I'd have snatched it the second I saw it.

Do let me know what you think of it.

😀

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[Bigman80]

PS the inspire TTs are very good aren't they. Had a Quest a while back. It was very impressive.

I would be tempted to upgrade the Cambridge phono stage.

For me, the biggest upgrade in sound quality was getting rid of a perfectly respectable PRO-JECT phono stage and going directly into a phono stage in an amp (NAD 312) less noise better detail, much better bass and treble. In fact I felt like I hadn't really heard my vinyl properly.

A good MC phono stage will bring the best out of your setup.

Only a suggestion or one for the future.

😁


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[Bonky]

PS the inspire TTs are very good aren't they. Had a Quest a while back. It was very impressive.

I would be tempted to upgrade the Cambridge phono stage.

For me, the biggest upgrade in sound quality was getting rid of a perfectly respectable PRO-JECT phono stage and going directly into a phono stage in an amp (NAD 312) less noise better detail, much better bass and treble. In fact I felt like I hadn't really heard my vinyl properly.

A good MC phono stage will bring the best out of your setup.

Only a suggestion or one for the future.

😁


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Hi, yes, I was thinking on the same lines. Any suggestions? Do I get a MM/MC preamp or just a MC one. Ideally, I think, I would prefer one that is configurable and with a gain control. Budget is somewhat limited however!

Thanks,

Richard.