MM > MC

[julesd68]

I have never heard a Moving Coil cart. I would like to know what I am missing out on :eyebrows:

For those of you that own MC carts could you cast your mind back to when you first "upgraded" from MM, and tell me what it was that was most immediately apparent in terms of the difference in sound quality?

[hifi_dave]

Not sure you can generalise as not all MCs are good and there are some great MMs.

[Haselsh1]

Hmmm, I agree with Dave in that one cannot really generalise. My Ortofon OM30 Super moving magnet has the most delicate treble I have heard in a very long time and I absolutely love it but many years ago I had a Kiseki Blue which was responsible for one of the finest sounds I have ever heard. A lot has to do with arm matching as well because if memory serves me right, moving coil cartridges put a lot of energy into the system and therefore the arm. Personally I think it is best to stick with what you are happy with as an individual.

[Clive]

If you hear an MM with a good tip profile and quality cantilever you may struggle to understand why there's so much fuss about MCs. MCs may be better at the top end if you have the hearing of a teenager. MMs will often bogie better in the bass. The thing is that many folk compare low-end MMs with £1k MCs, hardly a fair comparison.

[jandl100]

Horrible generalisations, I know, but for me MCs are far more musically sophisticated. MMs can be more slammy, but imo that's because they lack subtlety and finesse.

I get closer to the music with MCs.

Hang on - I'll get me flak jacket on before the comments start coming in! :eyebrows:

[RobbieGong]

Horrible generalisations, I know, but for me MCs are far more musically sophisticated. MMs can be more slammy, but imo that's because they lack subtlety and finesse.
I get closer to the music with MCs.

Hang on - I'll get me flak jacket on before the comments start coming in! :eyebrows:

The Ortofon 2M Black does sublety and finesse very well indeed. Then again, it is highly regarded for displaying characteristics usually associated with decent MC's ;)

[walpurgis]

Not sure you can generalise as not all MCs are good and there are some great MMs.

Absolutely agree with Dave.

I've heard some pretty bad MCs and some great MMs.

And, where does that leave ADC and Decca? Neither are true moving magnet nor are they moving coil, but they sound great and have been favourites of mine for years. Although I have to admit to now using ZYX MCs nearly all the time.

[Clive]

My London Reference saw off the MCs I owned but now the MM AT150 is pretty much uip with the Ref at 1/10th the price.

[John]

Its synergy thing Clive!;)

[Clive]

Its synergy thing Clive!;)
Nah, it's overpriced product!

[DSJR]

It seems that my vibes about London Deccas being more reliable these days may need some revision sadly...

The best behaved mc types can be sublime, but the quest for ever more refinement in top models can lead to excessive blandness as all the attack and energy disappears IMO. I was always a fan of the Shure v15 V series, 'cos it was all there, but in a smaller package :eyebrows:

The AT150 model should be great for vintage SME's I reckon (I love the humble AT120E), but I'm getting to feel thatthe 2M Black is probably the best sorted fixed coil cartridge of them all. A shame it's been priced for the intended market, so is pushing £500 now.

[Clive]

The 3 Londons I've had have been totally reliable and the Ref is the best sounding though not by a lot over the Jubilee. The Super Gold was great fun but sort of unfinished, a little raucous. The Londons match the coloration of my 301 more so than the neutrality of the Salvation. I've not found any arm matching issues with the T3Pro and OL Encounter mkIII.

[Clive]

I don't why the AT150 isn't more popular, especially at the £212 it cost me.

[Mike - H]

I've been researching carts for use on my 401/750L project, particularly MC. The only thing that people seem to have a consensus about is that unless you want to pay exotic prices, you go round in circles, and come back to the 2m Black.

[jandl100]

mmmm --- 2M Black. Lots of fans out there. I must get to hear one sometime!

The trouble is, I've had lots of mm's and mc's ... and I'm having trouble believing the 2M Black hype!
Been there, done that - and when the mm stylus hits the vinyl it just don't live up to it. :scratch:

You can get some mighty fine sounding mc's for a lot less than the 2M Black costs.

But then, that's for the sound that I personally am after. Different strokes for different folks. :)

[Moko]

No surely the MC you come to is the Denon DL103 or 103R with an arm like the Jelco the perfect match. Things can be improved even further by fitting a MIDAS body or one of the wooden alternatives and when you've worn the tip out send it off to Expert Stylus for the full paratrace works

For the price I think in MC terms the Denon is a bargain for the performance.

[John]

I tend to keep my cartridge choice quiet these days Do not think anyone would really believe me how good this is

[jandl100]

Ooo - what a tease! :lol:

Go on, spill the beans, John.

[John]

all I say it matches my arm really well but not sure og it give the same result with a different arm perhaps the mini t of carts

[Mike - H]

No surely the MC you come to is the Denon DL103 or 103R with an arm like the Jelco the perfect match. Things can be improved even further by fitting a MIDAS body or one of the wooden alternatives and when you've worn the tip out send it off to Expert Stylus for the full paratrace works

For the price I think in MC terms the Denon is a bargain for the performance.

The trouble with the 103, for a novice like me, is that it has as many detractors as fans; so you don't know which way to jump. I've already made inquiries about having one fettled by ES from new, but then someone will slag it off and I step away again. :scratch::brickwall:

[jandl100]

Denon 103 .... +1 Denon FanBoy, me. :thumbsup:

If you've got a Jelco or many old s-shaped Jap tonearms --- Just do it. Fab sound. :carrot:

Here's my Zu-modded 103. A thing of beauty, visually and sonically. :)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/Zu1031.jpg

[Clive]

all I say it matches my arm really well but not sure og it give the same result with a different arm perhaps the mini t of carts
Is it the same make that I have a couple (but not mentioned in my signature)?

[wiicrackpot]

I tend to keep my cartridge choice quiet these days Do not think anyone would really believe me how good this is


all I say it matches my arm really well but not sure og it give the same result with a different arm perhaps the mini t of carts


Is it the same make that I have a couple (but not mentioned in my signature)?
C'mon guys, play the white man, it's not fair to vinyl hounds to be teased like that you know, if this is prolonged i am sure Marco will give you two a good :spank:'ing
the next time you have a a bakeoff,so......SPILL THE BEANZ !!

[YNWaN]

It's Decca

[YNWaN]

Here's my Zu-modded 103. A thing of beauty, visually and sonically. :)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/Zu1031.jpg

Yeah - except the cantilever is horribly bent to one side!

[wiicrackpot]

It's Decca
Thanks Mark, brother in arms as always matey. :)

[hifi_dave]

Yeah - except the cantilever is horribly bent to one side!

Hopefully, that's just the shadow.

[YNWaN]

Ah, yes, of course. The angle of the pic is causing heavy foreshortening of the actual cantilever, I see it now - that's the problem with viewing the forum on ones phone - the pics aren't very big.

The Zu body does look nicely made :).

[walpurgis]

No surely the MC you come to is the Denon DL103 or 103R with an arm like the Jelco the perfect match. Things can be improved even further by fitting a MIDAS body or one of the wooden alternatives and when you've worn the tip out send it off to Expert Stylus for the full paratrace works

For the price I think in MC terms the Denon is a bargain for the performance.

I've owned a couple of the basic DL-103 MCs and they were great for the price, just don't expect too much top end analyisis.

I was also using a DL-103R for a while and it is a fine cartridge, (nearly as good as the Technics EPC-305MC I had). The 103R is head and shoulders above the basic 103 for sound quality.

But, for a couple of hundred quid more you can buy the ZYX R-50 Bloom H which is in a totally different league. It has a truly huge soundstage, with great speed and a very big, deep presentation. The startling thing is the seeming total lack of colouration, you find your mind taken right off what the cartridge is doing and getting deep into the music. Try and get a demo, its a bargain top end cartridge!

I now use three different ZYXs and for me, there's no going back (even though I do dig my ADCs out every now and then. I sold the Deccas too, never thought that would happen!).

[DSJR]

I want to know if the likes of EsCo can take a stock DL103 and fit JUST the diamond of a good elliptical tip to one, keeping the excellent basic balance, but refining the treble a touch (it's physics here, not opinion, that dictates the conical tip's performance at side end - the fact that output at high frequencies will be reduced compared to the beginning of side). I know Denon did the 103-D, but this was modified for higher compliance and didn't work quite the same way, although I'd love to try one again with the added experience of thirty five years behind me :)

[Clive]

It's Decca

If it's John's it could be (I don't know), if it's the 2 of mine I mentioned it's not. Yes, I have London/Decca and AT but the mystery carts are not those!

[Mike - H]

The ZYX R-50 Bloom H is on the aforementioned shortlist as well, how does it compare to the AT - 33EV/PTG

Mike

[John]

Certainly not a Decca but the equal of a Decca reference better bass lovelly mid as fast as can be; but perhaps not the same highs at 20th the price but as I said think something going on in the arm and cart so rather not say as might not have the same magic with another arm

[daytona600]

I want to know if the likes of EsCo can take a stock DL103 and fit JUST the diamond of a good elliptical tip to one, keeping the excellent basic balance, but refining the treble a touch (it's physics here, not opinion, that dictates the conical tip's performance at side end - the fact that output at high frequencies will be reduced compared to the beginning of side). I know Denon did the 103-D, but this was modified for higher compliance and didn't work quite the same way, although I'd love to try one again with the added experience of thirty five years behind me :)

soundsmith & Zu as mentioned above do lots of 103s
upgrade cartridge or spend money on SUT or phono stage

http://www.sound-smith.com/denon/index.html

[walpurgis]

The ZYX R-50 Bloom H is on the aforementioned shortlist as well, how does it compare to the AT - 33EV/PTG

Mike

Never used an AT-33, but I'm familiar with the AT-32 and if they sound similar the ZYX will blitz it completely!

Just a note: As with most good MCs, the ZYXs seem to demand the use of a good SUT, rather than a solid state MC input.

[jandl100]

My Zu-ed 103 has a decent elliptical tip fitted, nowt wrong with the treble at all.

I had an AT-32 for a very short while ... :zzz: ... going by the rep, the 33 is way better

[Moko]

I have a MIDAS bodied 103 and a 103R nude which has the Expert Stylus partrace retip, I like both but the 103R with all the work done on it sounds the best.

When I spoke to Expert recently the guy mentioned that they are selling Denon cartridges so they might be able to do an improved one for you. Give them a call they seemed very nice on the phone.

[Mike - H]

Yes I spoke to them a couple of weeks ago, They feel there's no difference between the modded 103 or modded 103R. They will sell you a new modded 103 for £399, 6 - 8 week back order.

Mike

[goraman]

It's funny I went from a MM Grado to a MC Goldring Eroca H costing 3X more and I went back to MM Grado Gold.
BTW: Joseph Grado invented the MC but stopped making them.
http://www.gradolabs.com/page_history.php

My favorite moving coil is a high out put,so you don't need a step up transformer and the best I have heard is The Sumiko Black Bird.
If I would have kept my TT it would have been my next upgrade.
http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sumikocartridges/prod_blackbird.htm

Some of these are also nice but you would need a phono stage with a lot of gain or a step up tranny.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Dynavector-Phono-Cartridges

You could do this one. http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge?sc=2&category=370

I had this one and it was horrible from new and never got better. http://www.needledoctor.com/Goldring-Eroica-H-Cartridge
Either way you go Julian at the end of the day, it's what works best with your tone arm and phono stage. And the cart that costs the most is not always the best choice.
I have heard a Dynavecter on a pretty nice table with an ok phono stage and felt it was good but not as sweet as the Sumiko costing far less.
I'm giving my age here but 2 older favorite MM was a 1970's Sure V15 and a Audio Tecnica AT88E both pretty inexpensive the AT88E was $100.00+tax in 1982 a lot then for a high school kid though. My point is if your happy with what you have don't take it for granted a more exotic cart will bring you higher up the ladder. There are 2 factors that must be considered Arm and Phono stage then cartridge.
Here is a great Rock & Roll cart. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Audio-Technica-AT88E-Cartridge-with-Needle-Stylus-200-DEC-AT-88-E-/221039119012?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item3376f54aa4 They still make replacement styless, At 1.5 grams tracking that elliptical diamond puts on a hell of a show.
I would use this Cartridge proudly on $3,000.00 table it just sounded far better than it's price even then. The first album I put on after set up with that old cart was Who's Next by The Who and it was jaw dropping. I've had better TT's and spent more on cartridges but nothing has done R&R like that AT88E.

[walpurgis]

It's funny I went from a MM Grado to a MC Goldring Eroca H costing 3X more and I went back to MM Grado Gold.
BTW: Joseph Grado invented the MC but stopped making them.
http://www.gradolabs.com/page_history.php

My favorite moving coil is a high out put,so you don't need a step up transformer and the best I have heard is The Sumiko Black Bird.
If I would have kept my TT it would have been my next upgrade.
http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sumikocartridges/prod_blackbird.htm

Some of these are also nice but you would need a phono stage with a lot of gain or a step up tranny.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Dynavector-Phono-Cartridges

You could do this one. http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge?sc=2&category=370

I had this one and it was horrible from new and never got better. http://www.needledoctor.com/Goldring-Eroica-H-Cartridge
Either way you go Julian at the end of the day, it's what works best with your tone arm and phono stage. And the cart that costs the most is not always the best choice.
I have heard a Dynavecter on a pretty nice table with an ok phono stage and felt it was good but not as sweet as the Sumiko costing far less.
I'm giving my age here but 2 older favorite MM was a 1970's Sure V15 and a Audio Tecnica AT88E both pretty inexpensive the AT88E was $100.00+tax in 1982 a lot then for a high school kid though. My point is if your happy with what you have don't take it for granted a more exotic cart will bring you higher up the ladder. There are 2 factors that must be considered Arm and Phono stage then cartridge.
Here is a great Rock & Roll cart. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Audio-Technica-AT88E-Cartridge-with-Needle-Stylus-200-DEC-AT-88-E-/221039119012?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item3376f54aa4 They still make replacement styless, At 1.5 grams tracking that elliptical diamond puts on a hell of a show.
I would use this Cartridge proudly on $3,000.00 table it just sounded far better than it's price even then. The first album I put on after set up with that old cart was Who's Next by The Who and it was jaw dropping. I've had better TT's and spent more on cartridges but nothing has done R&R like that AT88E.


You should hear what a Decca can do with Rock & Roll. Deccas have the tightest bass around, matched with explosive dynamics and superb analysis.

[goraman]

I have not heard a Decca but I am not surprised,I knew an older guy who used a Decca on an old Thorens he listened to big band music.
I never made it to his house before he died but he loved that combination,he used to say horns and drums lacked nothing of the original,I wonder what ever happened to the big pair of Jensen speakers he also talked about? It's been years ago. His kids most likely yard saled them for golf money.

[southall-1998]

You should hear what a Decca can do with Rock & Roll. Deccas have the tightest bass around, matched with explosive dynamics and superb analysis.

Always wanted a Decca!

[Patrick Dixon]

Decca: when you absolutely have to hear every mother-fucker gunshot on the recording, accept no substitutes.

[Macca]

The Maroon is the entry level at £475. How would this stack up vs a Nagaoka MP500? Would it work on a stock Technics arm with Sumiko shell?

[walpurgis]

Compared to a Decca just about ANY other cartridges sound like you're listening through a couple of thick blankets (I can think of one exception).

[julesd68]

The Maroon is the entry level at £475. How would this stack up vs a Nagaoka MP500? Would it work on a stock Technics arm with Sumiko shell?

Martin - I notice that you have an MP11 - I went from that cart to an MP-50, which is the old MP500. It's a very big step up, especially the extended smooth treble. Highly recommended. Can't comment on the Decca though.

[Macca]

Martin - I notice that you have an MP11 - I went from that cart to an MP-50, which is the old MP500. It's a very big step up, especially the extended smooth treble. Highly recommended. Can't comment on the Decca though.

Yes I had an MP30 years ago now but still recall fondly which is why I snapped up the low mileage MP11. The Maroon and the MP500 are similar price - plus I use a Croft pre and I have read here that Croft uses a Decca himself.

[Macca]

Compared to a Decca just about ANY other cartridges sound like you're listening through a couple of thick blankets (I can think of one exception).

Okay two questions Geoff.

If they are so much better why isn't everyone - who can afford - using one ?

What is the one exception?

[WOStantonCS100]

If they are so much better why isn't everyone - who can afford - using one ?

...might be holding out for a Strain Gauge cart from Soundsmith ...or maybe an ELP turntable ;)

[walpurgis]

Okay two questions Geoff.

If they are so much better why isn't everyone - who can afford - using one ?

What is the one exception?

Don't actually recall using the word "better". Strikingly different is probably more realistic, after all, some people don't get on with Deccas.

The one excepton that I've come across is my ZYX R100 H2, which has the speed, impact and clarity of the Deccas without the waywardness and this is what I now use.

None of the foregoing alters my original assertion that a Decca can sound stunning on Rock & Roll.

[julesd68]

Yes I had an MP30 years ago now but still recall fondly which is why I snapped up the low mileage MP11. The Maroon and the MP500 are similar price - plus I use a Croft pre and I have read here that Croft uses a Decca himself.

I was told that Glenn Croft is also a fan of the older Nagaokas, which was partly the reason I took a punt on the MP-50!

[Macca]

Don't actually recall using the word "better". Strikingly different is probably more realistic, after all, some people don't get on with Deccas.

The one excepton that I've come across is my ZYX R100 H2, which has the speed, impact and clarity of the Deccas without the waywardness and this is what I now use.

None of the foregoing alters my original assertion that a Decca can sound stunning on Rock & Roll.

I was asking in all seriousness and total innocence :) Never heard a Decca unless I heard one at Scalford this year and didn't know it. I will look up the ZYX - cheers Geoff.

BTW by Rock & Roll do you mean Rock music in general or that specific genre - like Bill Hailey or Chuck Berry stuff?

[Patrick Dixon]

Deccas are the best cartridges that I've ever heard/owned, but they're not exactly plug and play.

To add to the problem, the 'entry level' ones have flimsy, resonant, light-weight bodies which adds to the difficulty of making them work well. Adding weight helps a bit.

Aside from stumping up for a Jubliee or Reference, you can re-body a mk5 in wood (google DeccaBod), or try a mk4. In either event you'll also need to get it re-fettled by John Wright to work properly.

[walpurgis]

I was asking in all seriousness and total innocence :) Never heard a Decca unless I heard one at Scalford this year and didn't know it. I will look up the ZYX - cheers Geoff.

BTW by Rock & Roll do you mean Rock music in general or that specific genre - like Bill Hailey or Chuck Berry stuff?

I was alluding to the previous "Rock and Roll" quote posted by Jeff (goraman) as presumably meaning 'Rock' in general.

[julesd68]

Oooohhh - I have a welcome addition to the family today!

A beautiful little baby.

It's a Puresound T10 SUT - small but perfectly formed. :D

Thanks to Hughie at Emporium for delivering him - sterling service yet again.

So, of course the next job is to partner him up!

Top of the list at the moment is a ZYX R50 Bloom. I've also been considering the Shelter 501 II but a much better deal is to be had on the ZYX if I import it.

Well, I don't have to rush into anything - got to sell some nice gear first to fund it all! :doh:

[chelsea]

What sut where you using before julian?

[julesd68]

I wasn't Stu - this is my first trip to the MC universe!

Had to really be a Puresound to go with my lovely P10 phono stage ...

[MartinT]

Horrible generalisations, I know, but for me MCs are far more musically sophisticated. MMs can be more slammy, but imo that's because they lack subtlety and finesse.

I get closer to the music with MCs.

Jerry has said it well. This is exactly how I feel about MCs.

[MartinT]

Top of the list at the moment is a ZYX R50 Bloom. I've also been considering the Shelter 501 II but a much better deal is to be had on the ZYX if I import it.

Julian, have you considered a Shelter 5000 from 2juki (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/2juki/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25) in Hong Kong? He is reliable and the 5000 is a stunning catridge.

[julesd68]

Dude, I would love that cart!

I am somewhat financially challenged right now and the R50 Bloom is available from 2juki for about half the price; I've heard lots of good things about it ...

[chelsea]

I wasn't Stu - this is my first trip to the MC universe!

Had to really be a Puresound to go with my lovely P10 phono stage ...

Should sound lovely.

[julesd68]

Thanx mate - I'm really excited!

[MartinT]

Dude, I would love that cart!

Ah, sorry, my mistake. 2juki is the man to buy from, though, so good luck with it :)

[Stratmangler]

Compared to a Decca just about ANY other cartridges sound like you're listening through a couple of thick blankets (I can think of one exception).

Ah, but would you be using that Decca to be listening to music?

[Marco]

Compared to a Decca just about ANY other cartridges sound like you're listening through a couple of thick blankets (I can think of one exception).

Interesting... I certainly never found that to be the case when I was using both a Decca London Blue and a London Gold on my T/T for over a month, comparing them with my Ortofon SPU, the latter which sounded every bit as informative, open and dynamic, as any of the former.

That doesn't mean though that they sounded the same - far from it - but the Deccas certainly didn't make the SPU sound in any way shut in, as your comments infer... :)

Marco.

[Clive]

Here's my tuppence-worth....I'll compare to specific cartridges rather than generalise.

The London Super Gold is very alive and fun, possibly too much so for some. The London Jubilee and Reference are more balanced and mature sounding and still very alive. Up against my old Kontra B all the Londons were loads more alive, the Kontra B sounded "shut in" in comparison. My ZYX R100 was more lively but still not a match for the Londons and refinement suffered too.

My AT150MLX and Actuex 420 STR are pretty close to the London Reference in the mid-band and depending the arm they can be better in the bass and get close on treble.

[Clive]

While I think about it...MM vs MC: I heard the argument that it's not unusual for people from their mid-40s onwards to start to appreciate MMs as hearing deteriorates so some of the supposed MC benefits are not so audible. Mind you deteriorating hearing could be a blessing in that it's unusual for MC carts to not have rising treble - the foil to this is that as hearing goes at the top end people seem to become less tolerant of harsh treble.

It's hard to generalise, all I can say is that the better MMs and MIs (don't forget Grados such as the Master 1) are better than many think.

[Mike - H]

Just reading over this thread again, does anyone know how the Audio Technica AT150MLX stacks up against the Nagaoka MP200? If you import the AT I suppose the import duty will balance them out price wise.

Mike

[Clive]

Just reading over this thread again, does anyone know how the Audio Technica AT150MLX stacks up against the Nagaoka MP200? If you import the AT I suppose the import duty will balance them out price wise.

Mike
I can't compare it to the Nag, what I do know is that it's not so different from the Ortofon 2M Black.

2juki does the AT for about £200, you maybe lucky enough to escape import duty....

[Mike - H]

£39.60 VAT apparently.

[julesd68]

Ah, sorry, my mistake. 2juki is the man to buy from, though, so good luck with it :)

Did you get hit for any import duties from Japan?

[MartinT]

Did you get hit for any import duties from Japan?

Yes, 'fraid so. It's pretty much unavoidable these days, customs get to it and you have to pony up before the item is delivered. Cost it in to the price when you're looking and then you won't be shocked.

2juki is in Hong Kong, not Japan. Also, if you are looking to upgrade, he is happy to part-ex. I sent him two of my carts against the Shelter 5000 and reckon I got a good deal.

[julesd68]

Yes, 'fraid so. It's pretty much unavoidable these days, customs get to it and you have to pony up before the item is delivered. Cost it in to the price when you're looking and then you won't be shocked.

2juki is in Hong Kong, not Japan. Also, if you are looking to upgrade, he is happy to part-ex. I sent him two of my carts against the Shelter 5000 and reckon I got a good deal.

Part-ex? Now that's interesting, I will drop him a line, thanks Martin ...

In my excitement I have completely forgotten about import duties - what am I looking at, about 20%?

[MartinT]

In my excitement I have completely forgotten about import duties - what am I looking at, about 20%?

I seem to recall it's between 7-9% duty, then add VAT.

[jandl100]

There's also a Post Office 'handling charge' where items are assessed for import duty -- something like £9 ???

Not so bad on a high value cart, but I've had that applied to a £20 hifi accessory package. :steam:

[MartinT]

Oh yes, ParcelFarce like charging that for the 'special handling' involved in throwing it off the back of the lorry just before delivering it to you.

[julesd68]

Found a very useful website for working out the cost of import -

http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

They even have a category for styli!

Here's my calculation - based on a ZYX R50 cart costing $600

Total customs value: £371.69
- Duty: £0.00
- VAT: £74.34
Total import duty & taxes due: £74.34
Total landed cost: £446.03

There might be other handling charges they warn - guess that's where Parcelforce come in ...

Standard UK cost of this cart is £499 so not really the saving I was hoping to get!

[Clive]

If you get it from 2juki you may be fortunate by escaping the charges....I'm saying no more.

[MartinT]

...or perhaps a lowering of charges due to its 'revised value' ;)

[walpurgis]

Julian, so the ZYX R50 Bloom looks set to cost around £500 whether you import or buy here. The point is that for your £500 you will have a great MC cartridge. If you can, go for a demo and hear it compared to any other cartridge of similar value, you will want to buy the ZYX I'm sure.

By the way there are reviews online comparing ZYZ models to the Shelters.

[julesd68]

I'm 99% set on the ZYX Geoff but I'm so strapped at the moment that I'm looking at ways to save a few quid ;)

[hifi_dave]

or a large fine if the Customs people consider you are attempting to avoid the Tax..:rolleyes:

[walpurgis]

Interesting... I certainly never found that to be the case when I was using both a Decca London Blue and a London Gold on my T/T for over a month, comparing them with my Ortofon SPU, the latter which sounded every bit as informative, open and dynamic, as any of the former.

That doesn't mean though that they sounded the same - far from it - but the Deccas certainly didn't make the SPU sound in any way shut in, as your comments infer... :)

Marco.

Funny you should have made that comparison Marco. That is exactly the cartridge line up I owned at the time I had my SPU (I also had a Decca 4RC). There's no doubt about the ability of the SPU, but I definitely found the Deccas more incisive, probably due to the lightning fast transient response. I'm not suggesting that the SPU was inferior, just different.

[Mike - H]

I believe parcel force charge £8 to collect the vat, I put the AT150MLX from the same seller into that calculator and came up with £237.50 + the £8. It's now just a matter of finding how it matches to the Nagaoka MP200 which was at the top of my list and about to be ordered. :scratch:

Mike

[julesd68]

Well boys and girls I have finally decided to order a ZYX R-50 Bloom 2 in low output guise.

It seems to have an excellent reputation and many thanks to Geoff (walpurgis) for supplying detailed info on the cart.

It should also go well with my Kuzma Stogi - I checked with Mr Kuzma himself!
ZYX actually supply Kuzma with a few carts that are then re-branded.

Will post my thoughts on the cart as soon as it's up and running. Can't wait! :)

[walpurgis]

Well boys and girls I have finally decided to order a ZYX R-50 Bloom 2 in low output guise.

It seems to have an excellent reputation and many thanks to Geoff (walpurgis) for supplying detailed info on the cart.

It should also go well with my Kuzma Stogi - I checked with Mr Kuzma himself!
ZYX actually supply Kuzma with a few carts that are then re-branded.

Will post my thoughts on the cart as soon as it's up and running. Can't wait! :)

Why did you choose the low output version Julian, its very low output, as opposed to just low output for the H version (bit confusing I know). You may find some MC phono stages and SUTs not providing enough volume. I'd suggest going for the H.

[julesd68]

Why did you choose the low output version Julian

Both my SUT and phono stage are made by Puresound, so checked with Guy there and he advised me to go for the lower output model, which he thought would be "quicker and more responsive" ...

[Tarzan]

Well boys and girls I have finally decided to order a ZYX R-50 Bloom 2 in low output guise.

It seems to have an excellent reputation and many thanks to Geoff (walpurgis) for supplying detailed info on the cart.

It should also go well with my Kuzma Stogi - I checked with Mr Kuzma himself!
ZYX actually supply Kuzma with a few carts that are then re-branded.

Will post my thoughts on the cart as soon as it's up and running. Can't wait! :)

Congrats Julian, as per usual, a review and blog will be required:).

[julesd68]

er, don't hold your breath for the blog :lol:

[walpurgis]

Well Julian, on the strength of that advice it should be OK.

I must admit, my R100 is low output and my R100 H2 is the H version and there seems little in it level wise. My R50 Bloom is the H version and it sounds lovely.

I've sold all my non ZYX MCs now, apart from a Goldring Eroica LX with a damaged mounting lug which is worth bugger all but has a nice cheerful sound.

Keeping my ADC MMs though.

As mentioned, give us your impressions when you get it and don't forget, ZYX MCs have a pretty long break in period. they can sound rubbish out of the box, but improve by the day. My R100 H2 took 30 hours to come 'on song'.

Geoff.

[Macca]

Are you selling your MP50 then? I'd be interested if so.

[julesd68]

Have sent you a PM Martin ...

[julesd68]

NOT HAPPY :steam:

2juki tells me this morning that he has miscalculated the price of the ZYX and it's now $800 instead of $600. Plan B now needed.

I'm running out of things to sell to fund this cart!

[Floyddroid]

What Dave sez!