Looking for Cartridge recommendations

[Paul-H]

Hi all

Looking to replace my aging Ortofon ME15 Super 1 Moving Iron cartridge

I was thinking of getting one of the Audio Technica AT-440MLB cartridges which I can get new for around £140


Anyone got any advice on how those two compare or any recomendations for any other cartridges that would improve on the ME15 for similar money to the 440

It's to be used in my Thorens TD-160 Mk1 with stock TP-16 arm and TP-60 headshell.

Thanks for any input

Paul

[blackstar]

Hi Paul

PMed you.

[Paul-H]

Been looking on the bayOfEvil and found the following all around the price of the AT-440

How do they compare, my amp has built in MM/MC phono stage so that shouldn't be an issue

Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet

Goldring 1006 Moving Magnet

Goldring 2100 Moving Magnet

Goldring 2200 Moving Magnet

Denon DL-110 EM High Output Moving Coil

Audio-Technica AT-F2 Moving Coil Cartridge

Denon DL-103 DL103 phono cartridge moving coil

[CornishPasty]

I've just sold my nearly new AT440Mlb. It was a nice enough cartridge but it just didn't do it for me. Never had a 2M Blue but I have a Red which I find very entertaining. I've had a few DL103s but I wouldn't have another. Bear in mind this is a low output MC cartridge. I bought a new DL110 just before Christmas and into a good mm stage it's the best sub 200 quid cartridge I've had the pleasure of listening to. I normally have a Benz Ace in this turntable into a Naim Stageline but since fitting the DL110 and valve phono stage I've not felt the need to change back. I must get hold of a Denon DL301-2 at some point. That's an itch I've wanted to scratch for some time but never seem to get round to it.

[struth]

The 110 is a good enough cart if youve got plenty gain on the phono stage. The denon 160 is better if you can find one. An AT95 with a shibata stylus is very good in a td160 as well

[CornishPasty]

The DL160 was discontinued quite a few years ago. I'm pretty sure that any used ones for sale will have some mileage on the clock so a new 110 is really the answer.

[mikeyb]

I'm selling an Ortofon MC25FL in the classifieds 😉

[Paul-H]

Thanks for the replies

Looking at the DL110 how will I know if my Amps phono stage has enough gain to do it justice

My Amp is a Pioneer A-70, the mid eighties version.

Thanks again

Paul

[blackholesun]

I do not know if it's any help to you, but I have a Rotel RC-995 pre-amplifier from the 90s, it has an in-built phono stage and DL-110 does wonders with that stage. I usually have it on MC setting, but it works very nice into MM.

[struth]

If you have a mc stage then the mc25 above is agreat cart.Dont know the older pioneer a70 amp

[Paul-H]

The A-70 has both MC & MM settings

Would like to go with new item as with used I could be just buying something near to or past its end of life without the seller even knowing how short it's life might be.

Cartridges are like women, best un used ;)

Think I will be pulling the plug on the 110, all the online reviews I have seen all rate it highly.

Paul

[struth]

Its a decent cart for the money, although they have gone up in price. I enjoyed mine for the time I had it. Looks good on too. Good luck

[Bigman80]

The best MM I owned was an Acutex 410e. They're on eBay for £50 for two. TWO !! NOS. Just buy them and be amazed at how good they are.

I've owned, Goldring 2100/2200 at95e, Shure VIII, Shure 75, AT110e,

None were as good as the Acutex. It took a ZYX r50 Bloom to beat it. Yes, I know, you think I must be mad but it's true.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[montesquieu]

Hi all

Looking to replace my aging Ortofon ME15 Super 1 Moving Iron cartridge

I was thinking of getting one of the Audio Technica AT-440MLB cartridges which I can get new for around £140


Anyone got any advice on how those two compare or any recomendations for any other cartridges that would improve on the ME15 for similar money to the 440

It's to be used in my Thorens TD-160 Mk1 with stock TP-16 arm and TP-60 headshell.

Thanks for any input

Paul


The TP-16/TP60 at 17.6 is a medium to high mass combination so I would avoid high compliance cartridges (you can check compliance specs on vinyl engine).

In many cases (eg with Rega RB25) it would be differnet advice but I think the DL-103 has a good chance of working well, especially if you can add a bit of extra weight to the headshell without losing the abiility to balance things out with the counterweight. Other than that the Ortofon 2M series is medium compliance so should do fine. The Acutex mentioned is in the ballpark, DL-110 is on the highish compliance side for this arm I would have thought but could well still work.

[Phil Lawton]

Just last week moved to a 2M blue from 2M red...very happy with it and can recommend it.

[Paul-H]

Hi all

Well the DL110 arrived, tried it first with the supplied weight but the arm counter weight need to go almost as far back as it could before it would balance so took the weight out and the arm weight is now almost in the same place as it is with the Ortofon.

Only played a few records but so far well impressed, starting to hear things the Ortofon didn't reveal.

Thanks for all the help

Hope SWMBO doesn't find out it cost more than I paid for the TD-160 including the Ortofon ��

Paul

[Paul-H]

Compliance is showing as 16.5 for the arm and headshell and the cartridge has a massive of 4.8g

What does that mean and how do I use that figure when selecting a cartridge

I am a bit new to this level of hifi so learning all the time

Thanks for the replies

Paul