budget cartridge advice please

[smurfbrain]

hi guys,
i received rega plannar 3 with rb300 arm from my mate in a good nick.
i am looking for a new cartridge up to £100 to go with nad pp2.
any recommendations?
thanks

[Dave Cawley]

http://www.soundhifi.com/AT120E.html ??

Dave

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

With an RB300 and a budget of around £100, the stand-out options for me are either the Ortofon 2M Red:


http://www.hifix.co.uk/sku.lasso?item=49236800fee84aaab3a1602404be78c8


Or the Rega Elys (if you can afford the extra £7.61):


http://www.hifix.co.uk/sku.lasso?REGA-ELYS 2&item=80cb52e3093811f868b64040c1536ef3


Both are specifically designed to use with an RB300 and should work very well with your P3 and PP2 :)

The AT-120 Dave suggests would also be good - much depends on the type of sound you like and the sonic signature of the rest of your system... In fact, what is the rest of your system?

Marco.

[smurfbrain]

this week wad kel84 arrived , speakers are b&w cdm7se. from these carts which one would suit the best in your opinion? would i need spacing ring with any of them?
has anyone got link or tutorial how to allign new cart for dummies?

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

With that system, and given your needs, my gut instinct says the Ortofon 2M Red, as it's specifically designed to fit the RB300 without the need for any adjustment. All you do is fit it to the arm by matching it flush with the headshell (note how the sculptured shape of the cartridge matches that of the headshell on the RB300), set the tracking weight, and you're ready to play music :)

A similar thing can be said for the Elys, of course, but IMO the Ortofon is the better cartridge.

Also, hifix (where I linked to earlier) have the cheapest prices.

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

Marco beat me to it - Ortofon Red or Rega Elys-2. Both work well with the RB300 and both are easy to fit.

The Rega TT comes with a beginner's guide to fitting and setting up a cartridge and it's really very simple. The Elys-2 is even easier because the third fixing automatically gives you the correct overhang and all you need do is make sure the cartridge is square in the headshell before tightening.

Any Rega dealer will fit the cartridge and make sure all is well without further charge.

[smurfbrain]

unfortunately tt didnt come with manual. its all new to me. will download. what is the correct tracking weight(starting point)for cart? is it adjusted to someones liking or does it have to be spot on?

[hifi_dave]

Most cartridges come with a recommended tracking force and with the Ortofon and Rega it is pretty well spot on. So, just set what they say and play around a litlle if you feel the need when you have more confidence.

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

If Dave doesn't know the values off by heart, then whichever cartridge you buy will have the recommended tracking weight written in the enclosed manual.

It's best to start from there and adjust it until you reach a point somewhere between that and the maximum value stated by the manufacturer, which sounds best to your ears :)

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

The Rega is 1.75 to 1.8 and the Ortofon is 1.8 grams. Both are usually optimum for good sound with tracking.

[smurfbrain]

thanks Dave,Marco for the advice.