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View Full Version : Ultracraft AC-30 with a Nagaoka MP30 - worth Keeping?


pavalon
06-09-2014, 09:36
The tonearm/cartridge are on an Ariston RD11s turntable that came with a QUAD 303/33/FM3 system that I acquired a few years ago. I am now looking to pass on the set up to fund a new Gyrodec. To cut down on the cost of the new purchase I am thinking if I should keep the arm/cart for use on the Gyrodec.

I have looked on the net for more info. The Nagaoka seems to have a good reputation and the MP30 was well regarded cart in its days. The current range has a extra zero in the designation...MP300, MP500 etc. Is the MP30 that I have on a similar performance level to the MP300?

As for the Ultracraft - have not a clue if this is worth transferring to the Gyrodec.

Your thoughts/advice on the above is much appreciated.

A few photos of the above is attached below.

Thanks.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2af03d0.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/s5xwe8.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/dq12jn.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/241wfbs.jpg
Macca
06-09-2014, 09:45
No idea about the arm but the cart is a cracker and worth keeping. The MP300 stylus replacement will fit an MP30.
walpurgis
06-09-2014, 09:45
That's a decent combination you have there. I'm not that sure a change to a Michell TT will give you a huge improvement. It'll sound different, but the RD11s is a good sounding unit in its own right anyway.
The Barbarian
06-09-2014, 15:24
Shame to sell them on but i would the arm if anything.. but if you need to raise the cash i guess you need to. I don't keep anything anymore that i don't use.

btw: part of that Audio technica 'AT-6006' arm lift is missing
walpurgis
06-09-2014, 15:29
Shame to sell them on but i would the arm if anything.. but if you need to raise the cash i guess you need to. I don't keep anything anymore that i don't use.

I might try operating on that principle myself. That means the Missus will have to go! :)
The Barbarian
06-09-2014, 15:29
:D
struth
06-09-2014, 21:18
I might try operating on that principle myself. That means the Missus will have to go! :)

Better not let the wife read this or I'll be gone:doh: .....Mod; delete his idea....:lol:
Macca
06-09-2014, 21:36
Better not let the wife read this or I'll be gone:doh: .....Mod; delete his idea....:lol:

You are a Mod!
struth
06-09-2014, 21:50
You are a Mod!


not here I aint;)
Macca
06-09-2014, 22:11
not here I aint;)

Ah got you. A Juristiction issue. How does that work again? If you make it over the State Line (usually a bridge but could be a dam) the county police have to stop chasing you but then it becomes a Federal Case. Or is it the other way around? If you can get over the border Mexico then all bets are off.
Mr Kipling
06-09-2014, 22:12
Always fancied an AC 30. Always liked the look of it. I'd keep it.

If you really want a change, sell the FM3, and rob a bank.
struth
06-09-2014, 22:32
Only goes Federal if I steal one of Marco's one liners:eyebrows: ....and Mexico would not be far enough; he knows the Bishop of Bath and Wells:lol:
PaulStewart
06-09-2014, 22:51
A ex mate of mine had an AC30 on a Gyro with a JVC MC2e cart that I got "loaned" him when I worked there, I'm still waiting for it back and I left there in 1980 :steam: It sounded superb and when he changed it for an RB300, it just never sounded as good. The Nagaoka is probably one of the best carts in it's range that you'll find. The RD11 avoids many of the sins of it's descendant the LP12 but, and I used to own an RD11 and an Orbe and was a Michell dealer, the Gyro has a much more precise and dynamic presentation the the Ariston. Certainly the AC30/ Gyro combination is a cracker, I would keep the arm and cart and put them on the Gyro.
walpurgis
06-09-2014, 23:14
JVC MC-2E was a nice cartridge, very sweet sounding. A friend had one that for some strange reason go laundered in with some clothing. He was not too pleased.
PaulStewart
07-09-2014, 00:08
JVC MC-2E was a nice cartridge, very sweet sounding. A friend had one that for some strange reason go laundered in with some clothing. He was not too pleased.

:stalks: :eek: Now that hast to take the biscuit as a way to lose a nice cartridge, I was involved with JVC UK side of the MC cartridge project, so I had an MC-1 with the Shibata stylus, that was still one of the finest cartridges I have ever heard, wish I still had it.
walpurgis
07-09-2014, 00:11
Not to worry, he has now moved on to a ZYX R-50 Bloom H and is delighted with it.
pavalon
07-09-2014, 09:36
Thank you for all the comments so far.

I am gonna remove the Nagaoka and try it on my Rega Planar 3 to see how that sounds compared with a modest AT95E cart on a RB300 arm - massive improvement?

Another option was to remove the RB300 for possible use on the Gyrodec.

Is the RB300 better than the Ultracraft?

Again any views and comments are much appreciated.

Peter