What Cartridge for Rotel?

[Stubies]

To test/compare with CD/Digital sources, it seemed time to get a starter TT: Rotel RP 5300. I hope it is good enough (someone is bound to say other wise i guess... - well dont hold back if that is the case...., i want to hear all about my misadventures ;))

This table has all the features needed: DC motor and speed variability (since i move countries).

It currently has:
- cartridge is a Shure M75ED type 2
- fitted with a genuine Ed Saunders replacement stylus
- and presumably the original head shell

What should i do for the Cartridge/headshell? Is this good enough for now, or should i get something else??

Thanks for your help!!

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Rotel-DC-Servo-direct-drive-turntable-RP5300-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/LQQAAOxymnFSGLMm/$T2eC16Z,!)QE9s3HFgfmBSGLMmI69!~~60_57.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Rotel-DC-Servo-direct-drive-turntable-RP5300-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/sqIAAMXQ2dBSGLMy/$(KGrHqZHJDoFIS3m+NWPBSGLM))zSQ~~60_57.JPG
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rotel-DC-Servo-direct-drive-turntable-RP5300-/271263894019?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=dZAuC1BZEk0YjVLWBhzLv6v0blY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[Gordon Steadman]

Don't know the particular TT but it looks in reasonable nick and a good way to start no doubt. I always remember the Shures as being a bit sharp for my tastes but some obviously like them and things may have changed since I listened. I would probably try one of the Goldring range, the best one you can afford, I would have thought that the arm could cope.

Good luck and welcome to the vinyl side.

[Stubies]

Gordon,

thanks for your advice! Is there a preferred site to buy Goldrings/cartridges?

Stu


Don't know the particular TT but it looks in reasonable nick and a good way to start no doubt. I always remember the Shures as being a bit sharp for my tastes but some obviously like them and things may have changed since I listened. I would probably try one of the Goldring range, the best one you can afford, I would have thought that the arm could cope.

Good luck and welcome to the vinyl side.

[Gordon Steadman]

Gordon,

thanks for your advice! Is there a preferred site to buy Goldrings/cartridges?

Stu

Ah, not sure where to recommend, I'm sure someone will have an opinion. I have seen them sold new on eBay so that could be a place to start.

Rats, just looked and there are only a couple at the upper end, too much for the Rotel I suspect. Amazon UK have an Electra at £50 or so, right price?

I think you need some other opinions to check though.

[Macca]

I'd stick with the Shure. They're pretty good. I reckon you would have to shell out £150 to get something in the same ballpark.

[PaulStewart]

M75 is a good cartridge and with that stylus, should sound great. Not a bad arm either, but the headshell is pants. Look for a magnesium or other rigid alloy shell, carbon fibre or ebony are the best these days but overkill on that arm, good as it is. A cherry wood headshell is a cheaper alternative, but I would want to hear it before I bought it.

Cheers

[Stubies]

Paul

Maybe i can get a magnesium used. How about this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370887610569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649


M75 is a good cartridge and with that stylus, should sound great. Not a bad arm either, but the headshell is pants. Look for a magnesium or other rigid alloy shell, carbon fibre or ebony are the best these days but overkill on that arm, good as it is. A cherry wood headshell is a cheaper alternative, but I would want to hear it before I bought it.

Cheers

[Ammonite Audio]

A Rega Carbon might work well at only £25 new.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Paul

Maybe i can get a magnesium used. How about this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370887610569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

That would be spot on Stuart or a Sumiko would do the trick too.

[Stubies]

thanks much guys!!

[Reffc]

The M75ED with a Saunders Stylus should be fine. Just make sure that the set-up has been checked thoroughly and that the stylus has been inspected using a loup for wear if its anything more than a few years old. The M75 was anything but sharp (I've had a few) and was the very opposite. On some arms it could be a little dark sounding but the Saunders stylii imho can lend a certain brightness. You'd be paying pretty decent money to better this cartridge by much these days. The arm is more medium mass than light mass, so perhaps a cart with slightly lower compliance would work well for a more punchy/lively sound. The Denon DL110 is well worth a look and is being discounted from various sellers so is a good deal now. I would caution against buying any budget cartridge, no matter what the rave reviews, as you don't get something for nothing when it comes to cartridges.

[PaulStewart]

Paul

Maybe i can get a magnesium used. How about this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370887610569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Back in the day I used those ADC's a lot, very good headshell and if you can pick it up cheap it should do the job well.

[walpurgis]

Yes, Paul is right.

The M75ED is a decent cartridge, certainly for a first foray into vinyl. It is capable of good detail resolution and has very good tracking ability. At one time it was second only to the V15 in the Shure range (and in my opinion, sounded nicer).

If you can, use a microscope to check that the diamond tip is sound. Don't be in too much of a hurry to get a new stylus as the Shure originals were of superb quality.

I'd be inclined to try the TT and cartridge together as they are at the moment. Adding a magnesium headshell may improve the sound, but may cause problems as the M75ED has fairly high compliance and may not be suited to any extra headshell mass. Remember it tracks at only 1.25 grams (and that's the top end of tracking weight for them). In fact with this cartridge, a favourite dodge back at the time, was to fit the very light SME headshell in universal fitting arms for even lower mass.

[Stubies]

Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated!! I will follow it!

I will try the table as is before consider moving down the new cartridges/needles road. I may order a magnesium headshell to try, if I get a price on one. The seller indicated the needle is new - so with your guidance I can now hope it will sound great as is!

The magnesium ADC is 7.7g, i tried to find an offical weight for the SME headshell but could not (someone estimated a similar weight of 7 to 8g). The current Rotel headshell looks similar in design to the SME.

Thanks again!!!

[walpurgis]

I don't know the weights offhand, but the SME was probably the lightest made. There is one magnesium headshell that is very light and this is the Osawa model. They crop up on eBay and are very well made, with good copper litz wires.