montesquieu
14-07-2018, 16:43
I bought this cartridge back in April from eBay, described only as Yamaha KC3, on a hunch that it was a re-labelled version of the desirable Sonovox MC-4. Well it turned out to be exactly that.
Original listing here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-KC-3-Cartridge-F-S/263549109843?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Initially I had some tracking troubles with it but this was mainly because the Vinyl Engine data was wrong and I was trying to track it far too lightly. In fact this need about 5-6g to sound its best (fairly typical for the era - it’s clearly derived from its GE RPX and Fairchild contemporaries and has similar specs). It’s moving magnet output, approx 7mV, 1.0 mil conical stylus (in very good condition - see the ebay pictures, I’ve only done a few dozen sides since then) and works fine into 47k ohms.
I’ve decided to sell because I’m overloaded with cartridges right now and it’s not really getting much of a hearing alongside my two Miyajimas (1.0 and 0.7) - though to be honest it runs the Miyajima Premium 1.0 damned close - make no mistake, this is a quality cartridge.
As you can see it’s essentially identical to the Sonovox http://soundgate.net/product/MjI0.highend
Ianlenco of this parish very kindly made a stylus guard for me for this cartridge which I’m including (pictured below).
This cost me just shy of £200 shipped into the uk (a bargain compared to prices for the identical Sonovox), I’m looking for £180 collected from my place in Berkshire or plus £6 RMSD.
Fidelity Research FR S/5 headshell not included, I’ve since fitted it on an Ortofon headshell but I will include the FR headshell for an additional £100 if buying with the cartridge (it is a very nice match I have to say - they usually sell for quite a bit more!). The copper spacer/weight is one I had made for Ikeda headshells and cartridges - it's probably not necessary in most setups and is not included.
https://i.imgur.com/vX9ZfRB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4UxgpOp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2wN2VEj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rWOBei0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/es4tMZa.jpg
Original listing here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-KC-3-Cartridge-F-S/263549109843?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Initially I had some tracking troubles with it but this was mainly because the Vinyl Engine data was wrong and I was trying to track it far too lightly. In fact this need about 5-6g to sound its best (fairly typical for the era - it’s clearly derived from its GE RPX and Fairchild contemporaries and has similar specs). It’s moving magnet output, approx 7mV, 1.0 mil conical stylus (in very good condition - see the ebay pictures, I’ve only done a few dozen sides since then) and works fine into 47k ohms.
I’ve decided to sell because I’m overloaded with cartridges right now and it’s not really getting much of a hearing alongside my two Miyajimas (1.0 and 0.7) - though to be honest it runs the Miyajima Premium 1.0 damned close - make no mistake, this is a quality cartridge.
As you can see it’s essentially identical to the Sonovox http://soundgate.net/product/MjI0.highend
Ianlenco of this parish very kindly made a stylus guard for me for this cartridge which I’m including (pictured below).
This cost me just shy of £200 shipped into the uk (a bargain compared to prices for the identical Sonovox), I’m looking for £180 collected from my place in Berkshire or plus £6 RMSD.
Fidelity Research FR S/5 headshell not included, I’ve since fitted it on an Ortofon headshell but I will include the FR headshell for an additional £100 if buying with the cartridge (it is a very nice match I have to say - they usually sell for quite a bit more!). The copper spacer/weight is one I had made for Ikeda headshells and cartridges - it's probably not necessary in most setups and is not included.
https://i.imgur.com/vX9ZfRB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4UxgpOp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2wN2VEj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rWOBei0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/es4tMZa.jpg