Get Your Cartridges Out For The Lads 2021

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Thank you to all AOS members who posted pics of their beloved vinyl spinners, now its time for a bit of close up camera work.

Post your cartridge up try to make the image as interesting as possible please and BE CAREFUL obviously! Don't get too close!

I will start things off with my Benz LP-S and let's see what all our members have. Post as many times as you want as any serious audiophile is bound to have more than 1 cartridge.

https://www.mcru.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/benz.jpg

[zimbo]

some of my cartridges, also posted in the "little treasures thread" in the Gallery (https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?70797-Little-treasures-shots-of-your-phono-cartridges)


Hi,

I´m not sure if a thread like this already exists? If so, please let me know, i could not find any similar....

Here some photos from my collection:

https://abload.de/img/dsc06086nmjjt.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06086nmjjt.jpg)
excel PRO81MC

https://abload.de/img/dsc05991z9kgk.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc05991z9kgk.jpg)
vintage ELAC STS in a row

https://abload.de/img/dsc05849uijhn.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc05849uijhn.jpg)
Ortofon Kontrapunkt B

https://abload.de/img/dsc05818wljwz.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc05818wljwz.jpg)
Rata RP 40

more still to come......:)

best regards
Sascha


some classic Ortofon cartridges

https://abload.de/img/img_0612qpkgn.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=img_0612qpkgn.jpg)
Ortofon SPU classicN

https://abload.de/img/dsc0438529rkrk.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc0438529rkrk.jpg)
Ortofon SL-15

Sascha


Hi Paul,

nice player and very nice cartridges. :thumbsup:

Pioneer.....

https://abload.de/img/pioneerpc70mcdpj11.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=pioneerpc70mcdpj11.jpg)
PC70 MC

regards
Sascha


Hi,

.... some more Ortofons....

https://abload.de/img/ortofonspugm_e9jkan.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonspugm_e9jkan.jpg)
SPU GM-E

https://abload.de/img/ortofonvenice_xckoo.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonvenice_xckoo.jpg)
Venice

https://abload.de/img/dsc032541gfkct.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc032541gfkct.jpg)
from the back side

regards
Sascha


Ortofon Windfeld Ti

https://abload.de/img/ortofonwindfeldtij7jey.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonwindfeldtij7jey.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/ortofon_windfeldtidoki2.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofon_windfeldtidoki2.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/ortofonwindfeldti_bac8nkoa.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonwindfeldti_bac8nkoa.jpg)

regards
Sascha


another favourit....

https://abload.de/img/shelter901iii_topviewq8kbx.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=shelter901iii_topviewq8kbx.jpg)
Shelter 901 III


Hi Robert,

where did you get the retipping of the Cadenza done? I´ve got also a Cadenza Bronze with worn stylus and the Gyger S seems to be a good shape for rebuilding Ortofons....

https://abload.de/img/ortofoncadenzabronzeg1khz.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofoncadenzabronzeg1khz.jpg)

have a nice weekend!
Sascha


Kiseki Blue Goldspot

https://abload.de/img/kisekibluegoldspot3ckky.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=kisekibluegoldspot3ckky.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/kisekibluegoldspot_frjdkd2.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=kisekibluegoldspot_frjdkd2.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/kisekibluegoldspot_sl6pjf4.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=kisekibluegoldspot_sl6pjf4.jpg)

best regards
Sascha


Dynavector XX-2

https://abload.de/img/dynavectorxx-2_underj9k4b.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dynavectorxx-2_underj9k4b.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/dynavectorxx-2_fronta1xjie.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dynavectorxx-2_fronta1xjie.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/dynavectorxx-2_slidebs7kf5.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dynavectorxx-2_slidebs7kf5.jpg)

best regards
Sascha


Good evening,

comes to me from A.O.S....... Goldring Excel GS

https://abload.de/img/goldring_excel_gsmskag.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=goldring_excel_gsmskag.jpg)

have a nice weekend!

kind regards
Sascha


another rare cartridge.....

audioquest T7

https://abload.de/img/audioquestt7rtkdc.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=audioquestt7rtkdc.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/audioquestt7_topviewucjq2.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=audioquestt7_topviewucjq2.jpg)

Unfortunately, I haven't found any information about this cartridge on the internet unless anyone knows something about it......?

best regards
Sascha


Hi,

a Technics EPC305MC Mk2 with the matching SUT SH305MC

https://abload.de/img/technics305mcmk2_sut_0dkrf.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=technics305mcmk2_sut_0dkrf.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/technics305mcmk2_sut33jp4.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=technics305mcmk2_sut33jp4.jpg)

regards
Sascha


Ortofon Windfeld ti is playing Guru`s JazzMatazz.........

https://abload.de/img/dsc063332qrkwp.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc063332qrkwp.jpeg)

regards
Sascha

[The Vinyl Adventure]

This is gonna be quite interesting.

[Barry]

Here are mine:

Moving-coil cartridges

Ortofon MC200
https://i.postimg.cc/nzD1856Z/010.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Dzd2CyzK/019.jpg
Ortofon MC25FL in SME S2R shell; Ortofon S-15TE in SME S3 shell; Ortofon SL15E in Ortofon G shell; Ortofon SL15E in SME S2 shell and Ortofon SL15E II in SME S2 shell

https://i.postimg.cc/cCG2Pfk9/015.jpg
Top left: EMT XSD15; top right: EMT XSD15sfl
Left top: EMT TSD15, left bottom EMT TSD15sfl; Right top EMT TSD15sfl, right bottom EMT TSD15 with Ortofon EIA adaptor

https://i.postimg.cc/C5JPhCWk/018.jpg
Van den Hul MC10 Special, in SME S2R shell; Ikeda C9 III in Ikeda shell; Denon 103 in Fidelity Research S/3 shell; Ortofon SPU GM-E



Fixed-coil cartridges

https://i.postimg.cc/x1n23gmx/014.jpg
ADC25 with red spot stylus; ADC 10E Mk.IV; ACD 10E Mk.IV; Shure M55E (brown body) and Shure M55E (black body) All cartridges mounted in SME S2 shells.

Second ADC25 and set of stylii are elsewhere.

https://i.postimg.cc/tgxY5HK3/016.jpg
Decca Mk.III with SME adapter; AKG P8ES in SME S2 shell; B&O MMC20S; B&O MMC 20E in Fidelity Research S/2 shell; B&O SP6 in SME S2
At top: B&O MMC 20EN with SME adaptor


https://i.postimg.cc/WbTmSJQc/017.jpg
Decca Mk.VI in GB block and Audio Technica shell; Decca Mk.V in EMT TSD-G shell with EIA adapter; Decca Mk.V in Sonab shell; Decca SC4E in Fidelity Research S/2 shell, and Decca Mk.III with SME adapter

Other cartridge pictures

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/.highres/009-3.jpg?width=450&height=278 https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/106_zps5f36ca66.jpg?width=450&height=278
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/.highres/163.jpg?width=450&height=278

Denon 103 in EMT TSD-G shell; Denon 103 in EMT shell and in an SME S2 shell, and B&O SP6 in SME shell

[Jimbo]

At last a decent post on AOS. There is some absolutely fabulous cartridges here chaps. Thanks for posting and the pics are superb. Sascha you have an amazing collection.

[Marco]

At last a decent post on AOS...

:eek::eek:

:ner::ner:

How very dare you!:D

Marco.

[Jimbo]

:eek::eek:

:ner::ner:

How very dare you!:D

Marco.

I am sure you have quite a collection which would make interesting viewing Marco?:) I wish I had a fraction of some of those in the posts above.

[Marco]

Yeah, mate, I have a few, but nothing on the level of Bazza or Sascha. Sold a few recently too, such as my vintage SPU and Denon DL-S1.

I'm now mainly using a vintage Denon DL-103GL, with gold colis (strapped to a Houdini, like Brooky's Benz), which is one of the finest cartridges I've heard at any price, for sheer 'fun factor' and outright musical involvement, especially through my (now heavily-modded) Lentek head amp, and some sexy rare 1940s military-spec 6SL7s in the Croft...

I think you'd approve;)

Marco.

[Marco]

Here she is mounted in a rare NOS Denon PCL-300 headshell, fitted with Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/jAyeSW.jpg[

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/IROHZS.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/cJ9UFC.jpg

And in situ:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/JOLS6A.jpg

I'll see if I can round up the others later:cool:

Marco.

[Jimbo]

Never heard of the DL-103GL that must be a rare beast. Good pic of the silver Kondo cartridge leads, very tasty. I know from a list of Denon 103 manufacturing I saw a while back they made a huge range of variants of the 103 since they first released it in the 60s many of which probably never made it outside Japan?

It is a cartridge I should still endeavour to try in some form when I plunge back down the MC route.:)

[bob4333]

I think I'll sit this one out. I can't even get on the same page let alone compete!

Sacha's collection goes beyond my imagination and it's all so clean and well photographed.

And Barry has bespoke storage for his cart collection. My few are in a drawer! :doh: Oh well.

[Jimbo]

I think I'll sit this out. I can't even get on the same page let alone compete!

Sacha's collection goes beyond my imagination and it's all so clean and well photographed.

And Barry has bespoke storage for his cart collection. My few are in a drawer! :doh: Oh well.

I feel a bit like that Bob.:)

Like your system BTW.:thumbsup:

[Jimbo]

https://i.ibb.co/QbFJQh3/IMG-1412.jpg Not the best photo but quite a nice cartridge.
https://i.ibb.co/xgjMx8V/P1020072.jpgNice original NOS M55
https://i.ibb.co/rZyTQzn/IMG-1249.jpgThis was great MI cartridge, sad I sold it and sad I have not got better pic!:)
https://i.ibb.co/64KF94C/IMG-0003.jpg This was a bit average sounding but great budget MC
https://i.ibb.co/LQKP9WS/P1020083.jpg DJ Cartidge:)

[Lurch]

A couple of shots of my rather (very) small collection.
A&R P77Mg, also have a 2nd one of these, but it's out on loan at the moment.
Plain Vanilla A&R P77, complete with original box, outer packaging & often missing stylus guard.
Finally my Transfiguration Axia S. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/3f6d4e4d792ca93810a3261e5c96f4ce.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/8da98d8faf9aa06d833ba4a877fc59ea.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/17bbae31b7a1d9e673643a02186e6d79.jpg

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[zimbo]

Ortofon SPU 90th anniversary

https://abload.de/img/dsc063194ujs2.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc063194ujs2.jpeg)

https://abload.de/img/dsc063180rjmj.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc063180rjmj.jpeg)

best regards
Sascha

[gninnam]

Some great photo's and cartridges - I can't compete with the above but here is a selection of mine in the house:

Goldring Elite MC:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_190601.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/f4534ee9-00b0-427d-b020-9c776992b78b)


Denon DL-103M:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_190706.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/ae8f51ad-80e3-4b6e-a776-102f72f1b5fd)

A&R P77 with Expert Stylus:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_190815.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/2c0120bd-351a-4933-afdb-366bc2a534a4)

A&R P77 with original packaging:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_191040.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/f5a08da8-9bc8-4c6d-90d1-e3cd1786d32f)

Another P77 stylus tweaked by Expert:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_191048.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/125295b7-7557-44cc-90bc-aafa503f6351)

Mono GE RPX-061 (1mill stylus for 33/45) with original box and paper work:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/(edited)_20210125_191200.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/5331ac03-648a-4d17-a8b3-43fbc991c7da)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_191222.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/34cd5a2a-3012-418e-98d4-73060e38e00d)

Goldring G800 (I think):


https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/(edited)_20210125_191407.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/a4d055db-f4ac-4876-9c81-258f6acbb194)

Finally a 78 stylus for an Ortofon OM10 (which is connected to a turntable in the garage):

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20210125_191448.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gninnamag/a/f88a0821-ada3-4f39-969a-956797be4a1b/p/08671b0f-eb54-4241-91f4-428aa5380b76)

[Marco]

Hi Jim,

Sorry for the late reply... Been busy elsewhere.


Never heard of the DL-103GL that must be a rare beast. Good pic of the silver Kondo cartridge leads, very tasty. I know from a list of Denon 103 manufacturing I saw a while back they made a huge range of variants of the 103 since they first released it in the 60s many of which probably never made it outside Japan?

It is a cartridge I should still endeavour to try in some form when I plunge back down the MC route.:)

Yeah, the 103GL (Gold Limited) was introduced in 1990, in a limited production run of 2000, so is fairly rare. I imported a NOS/NIB one from Japan last year.

It has a special glass-fibre black housing (similar to the blue housing used on the subsequently later introduced 103SA). It also has a slightly lower output of 0.25mV, as opposed to the 0.3mV of the stock 103. The real key to its superb sound though, lies in the coils being wound from 4N high-purity gold wire. This imbues music with a clarity and richness unavailable from other 103s, and indeed most other cartridges I've heard at any price!

It really does sound stunning, possessing a level of fine-detail retrieval, 'widescreen' midrange clarity and palpable low-end heft (without flab), largely absent from the stock 103, which in comparison sounds somewhat 'stodgy and opaque'. One of the key things that significantly limits the performance of the stock 103 is its cheap plastic shell, which is where Denon implemented most of their cost cutting.

Therefore, if you're thinking of trying a vintage 103, first of all try and find a NOS one, and go for either a DL-103C1, 103GL or 103SA, as all have improved shells (so less coloration and more detail) and the 'classic', and highly addictive 103 sound. Other notable models, if you fancy something a bit different are the 103D and 103M.

*BUT*, if you want to hear what the former models mentioned are truly capable of, you'll need either an idler or direct-driven T/T (or something with decent torque to combat 'stylus drag' caused by the weight of a heavy headhsell and cartridge, tracking at the optimum 2.7g), fitted with a high-mass arm (or medium-mass arm equipped with a heavy headshell), a good valve MM phono stage, and most importantly a quality SUT or MC head amp. All of that needs to be in place, in order to extract full performance from any low-compliance DL-103 cartridge.

Anyway, if you decide to go down that route, I'd be happy to advise:cool:

Marco.

[Jimbo]

I think Kevin had a 103SA and really liked it sometime back and I have had the older 103 variants on my radar for a long time but never commited to buying anything. As I am considering MC cartridges again going forward this year the 103 will definitely be on my list even if its only out of curiousity to listen to this classic cartridge.

[karma67]

I had an SA for a while, very nice cartridge but let down by the conical stylus, I wish I had had it re tipped.
Does anyone know how the 103 SL sits in the ranking?

[gninnam]

I use the 103M and it is a cracker (see pics above) - a cut above your average 103 by miles

[zimbo]

I fully agree, the 103M is a complete different 103......

https://abload.de/img/denondl-103m_back4jkg5.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=denondl-103m_back4jkg5.jpg)

best regards
Sascha

[Marco]

Hi Jamie,


I had an SA for a while, very nice cartridge but let down by the conical stylus, I wish I had had it re tipped.
Does anyone know how the 103 SL sits in the ranking?

It all depends what kind of sound you're looking for and trying to achieve, and in that respect whether super-extended 'crystalline' highs and uber-low levels of distortion are paramount (if you have the patience to 'dial in' a super-fussy fine-line stylus, in order that it successfully produces such), or a rather more forgiving (high-quality spherical tip), such as is used on all nearly all DL-103s (save the 'M' and 'D' models, which both feature elliptical tips), and which don't quite have the super-extended highs, but are still very detailed, and will generally trump a fine-line stylus, in terms of low-end heft and authority.

Therefore, as ever in audio, it's all about choosing your compromises, as no cartridge is perfect!

So.... Re-tipping a conical 103 with a 'posh' fine-line stylus will *fundamentally* alter its intended sonic balance, and not all for the better either, as you'll lose much of the musicality and 'fun factor' that 103s are renowned for, simply to gain a touch more clarity and detail, when you'd have been better off buying a different cartridge to begin with that majors on those aspects of sonic reproduction.

Therefore, re-tipping any 103 like that, SA or otherwise, is not something I'd ever recommend, as in my (considerable) experience in this area, you end up losing more than you gain.

When you had your SA, which T/T, arm and headshell was it fitted to, and which phonostage did you use, and loading did you apply? Quite simply, unless all of that was optimal, you won't have heard it's full potential, which with a correctly partnered and set-up 'SA', is considerable. I used one, which produced a similar sound to my current 'GL', for some time until I bought a modern entry-level SPU, and to my ears the SPU was a significant downgrade on the SA.

If a 103SA has been partnered and set-up correctly, it isn't 'let down' by its conical stylus; it simply plays music as it was meant to, and as I described earlier with my 103GL. Yes, there are many MC cartridges around, fitted with fine-line styli, which will outperform it in some areas, but as previously described, the SA will also outperform those in certain areas, so it's swings and roundabouts, mate:)

As for the 103SL, it's essentially a 103R in a 'fancier dress', same specs but it has a superior shell. Therefore, if you can fine a NOS one, it's a decent cartridge, but not as good as a C1, GL or SA, or as others here have rightly praised, a 103M, which has a special elliptical tip, much lower output, and again a special housing, designed to limit resonance, and therefore coloration.

The combination of its lower output, due to fewer coil windings (thus requiring the use of a phonostage, head amp or SUT with suitably high gain to maximise its potential) and elliptical tip, allows it to produce a 'sweeter', more refined sound than spherical-tipped 103s, but lack their low-end heft and bass power, although what it produces is still more than adequate for adequately reproducing most material.

Therefore, to summarise, in my opinion, the three top models, and arguably most desirable 103s to have, are the GL, followed by the SA and M. However, depending on what you're looking for, the M could easily be number one! Optimally partnered, it's a stunning cartridge, producing a sound right up there with the very best high-end MCs, at a fraction of the price!

And then of course there's the DL-S1, which is like an M, only more so!!;) Oh, and the 103-Pro, which is an altogether different beast again....

Marco.

[karma67]

Hi Jamie,



It all depends what kind of sound you're looking for and trying to achieve, and in that respect whether super-extended 'crystalline' highs and uber-low levels of distortion are paramount (if you have the patience to 'dial in' a super-fussy fine-line stylus, in order that it successfully produces such), or a rather more forgiving (high-quality spherical tip), such as is used on all nearly all DL-103s (save the 'M' and 'D' models, which both feature elliptical tips), and which don't quite have the super-extended highs, but are still very detailed, and will generally trump a fine-line stylus, in terms of low-end heft and authority.

Therefore, as ever in audio, it's all about choosing your compromises, as no cartridge is perfect!

So.... Re-tipping a conical 103 with a 'posh' fine-line stylus will *fundamentally* alter its intended sonic balance, and not all for the better either, as you'll lose much of the musicality and 'fun factor' that 103s are renowned for, simply to gain a touch more clarity and detail, when you'd have been better off buying a different cartridge to begin with that majors on those aspects of sonic reproduction.

Therefore, re-tipping any 103 like that, SA or otherwise, is not something I'd ever recommend, as in my (considerable) experience in this area, you end up losing more than you gain.

When you had your SA, which T/T, arm and headshell was it fitted to, and which phonostage did you use, and loading did you apply? Quite simply, unless all of that was optimal, you won't have heard it's full potential, which with a correctly partnered and set-up 'SA', is considerable. I used one, which produced a similar sound to my current 'GL', for some time until I bought a modern entry-level SPU, and to my ears the SPU was a significant downgrade on the SA.

If a 103SA has been partnered and set-up correctly, it isn't 'let down' by its conical stylus; it simply plays music as it was meant to, and as I described earlier with my 103GL. Yes, there are many MC cartridges around, fitted with fine-line styli, which will outperform it in some areas, but as previously described, the SA will also outperform those in certain areas, so it's swings and roundabouts, mate:)

As for the 103SL, it's essentially a 103R in a 'fancier dress', same specs but it has a superior shell. Therefore, if you can fine a NOS one, it's a decent cartridge, but not as good as a C1, GL or SA, or as others here have rightly praised, a 103M, which has a special elliptical tip, much lower output, and again a special housing, designed to limit resonance, and therefore coloration.

The combination of its lower output, due to fewer coil windings (thus requiring the use of a phonostage, head amp or SUT with suitably high gain to maximise its potential) and elliptical tip, allows it to produce a 'sweeter', more refined sound than spherical-tipped 103s, but lack their low-end heft and bass power, although what it produces is still more than adequate for adequately reproducing most material.

Therefore, to summarise, in my opinion, the three top models, and arguably most desirable 103s to have, are the GL, followed by the SA and M. However, depending on what you're looking for, the M could easily be number one! Optimally partnered, it's a stunning cartridge, producing a sound right up there with the very best high-end MCs, at a fraction of the price!

And then of course there's the DL-S1, which is like an M, only more so!!;) Oh, and the 103-Pro, which is an altogether different beast again....

Marco.

when i say 'let down' i simply mean in comparison to a cartridge that uses a fine line or the like stylus,the conical tip can not extract the amount of detail that those do. my experiance was going from the SA to an audio technica art-7.fortunately i do have the patience to dial these in and the reward makes for a very pleasurable listening experience,on the flip side using the sa was a breath of fresh air as not having to fuss with vta and azimuth was lovely.

in contrast i also got a lot of enjoyment for my time with the SA,as you say real drive and heft and great cartridge and one i would like to re visit.
i used it with a zeta tonearm and made headshell weights for it,one i sent to you. the head amp was a denon ha-500 that phonomac rebuilt to ha-1000 spec.
i also owned a denon 103m but compared to the sa it sounded rather different and not to my taste in comparison,i much prefered the sa.

[Marco]

Hi Jamie,

No worries, mate - all noted! All I meant really was that even with a re-tip, you'll never get a 103SA (or for that matter ANY 103) to sound like an ART-7!;) All you'll achieve is ruining what it's good at in the process.

So, far better just to buy a cartridge that majors on fine-detail retrieval in the first place. I'm afraid I've yet to hear a 103, re-tipped with a 'posh' stylus or cantilever that I've liked, as I can hear what the modification has robbed from the sound, as well as any arguable 'improvements'.

Too many folks, unfortunately, think that fitting a 103 with a fine-line stylus will simply 'fix' its limitations, whilst retaining its good points, and that's simply not the case, as there's always a trade-off.

A little tip for anyone wanting to add a little more 'sparkle' to the top end of a 103, is to fit the partnering headshell with solid-silver cartridge leads, which is why I went for the Kondos with the GL (as they add a welcome subtle touch of treble refinement), but otherwise my advice would be to leave well alone.

Anyway, hope I've answered your query about the SL:)

Marco.

[Shovel_Knight]

A friend of mine runs a DL-103 retipped with a Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, it's definitely more polite than the stock DL-103 but still retains a bit of that "boogie" character. A nice middle ground between the "vintage" sound of DL-103 and the sound of modern MCs.

[karma67]

Hi Jamie,

No worries, mate - all noted! All I meant really was that even with a re-tip, you'll never get a 103SA (or for that matter ANY) 103 to sound like an ART-7!;) All you'll achieve is ruining what it's good at in the process.

S,o far better just to buy a cartridge that majors on fine-detail retrieval in the first place. I'm afraid I've yet to hear a 103, re-tipped with a 'posh' stylus and cantilever that I've liked, as I can hear what the modification has robbed from its sound, as well as any arguable 'improvements'.

Too many folks, unfortunately, think that by fitting a 103 with a fine-line stylus will simply 'fix' its limitations, whilst retaining its good points, and that's simply not the case, as there's always a trade-off.

Anyway, hope I've answered your query about the SL:)

Marco.

yep cheers for the info,currently checking out GL's :eyebrows:

[Barry]

A friend of mine runs a DL-103 retipped with a Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, it's definitely more polite than the stock DL-103 but still retains a bit of that "boogie" character. A nice middle ground between the "vintage" sound of DL-103 and the sound of modern MCs.

Denon used to make a Shibata tipped 103, designated the DL103S, and had a pale grey coloured body. It received mixed reviews.

[Marco]

No worries. Try Samurai Electronics, on ebay. He's a good guy. That's where I got mine from. Btw, see my tip about siver cartridge leads, which I added to my last post:)

Marco.

[Marco]

A friend of mine runs a DL-103 retipped with a Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, it's definitely more polite than the stock DL-103 but still retains a bit of that "boogie" character. A nice middle ground between the "vintage" sound of DL-103 and the sound of modern MCs.

Hi Pavel,

That's cool, if your friend likes it, which is the main thing, but I simply don't see the point. If you want a 103 to sound "more polite", or more like the sound of modern MCs, than by a modern MC, rather than adulterate something else.

That's just my view:)

Marco.

[Paulie72]

I have 3 carts. Benz Micro Glider L2, Holistic Audio 103 (DL103Pro) and an AT33PTGII No picture from the last. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/3933c26ebf6f969c71302f67c31d5388.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/33ee6ea5e5c1fff4fcc198718e3944ca.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/31cc0632a62905c709c8b0ab1f75d8aa.jpg

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[zimbo]

Klipsch (formerly known as "ZENN") MCZ-10

https://abload.de/img/klipschmcz-10_rundu2jxe.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=klipschmcz-10_rundu2jxe.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/dsc06189mfk1h.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06189mfk1h.jpeg)

regards
Sascha

[Marco]

Awesome pics as usual, Sascha. How do you decide which one to use? Oh, and I love the attention to detail, with every cartridge having its own dedicated (often matching) shell and also array of different record weights!:respect:

Marco.

[Marco]

yep cheers for the info,currently checking out GL's :eyebrows:

Here you go, Jamie, from the very same chap I got mine: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Denon-DL-103GL-Gold-Limited-MC-Cartridge-4N-Gold-Wire/264852347119?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3daa6e18ef:g:mdgAAOSwMXpfUFMq&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252 Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkXKoKcbeZcOrOku%252BoOBl%252 BSxgWQokbkyvs2Aw%252BibGZ0A19rAD%252FBEN8dFFmdH090 EGMJFihoMSkznkT%252FwUGEjnN6uZCSlWAU%252BLyKl9kAro tmR%252FsrwSDCtqxVtnuYehzcvKZlXjy55x1iCNyI2zs7BlP2 rM33q7PcAI%252FZgKbdOQLOYPvpvjYF9iU9yER%252Bj3J%25 2BWR2Jw%252Fiwc%252F4TPSu1em5X95oAZ5A222pc6uI3%252 FuzZIW5tLW8kVff4YxFZKyd5VMAGlawLs3%252BRxRJHe3RU4I TayiZ%252BgqpEdv7nez4zFqqoVY83fcSUSGe7CddsoWdovoDM oi%252FuKa%252BZj7y91Wl9pBfyEJx5AlykFo82Bf1fEabBJ6 zKYC6esLC0c1Ty5a4YjyOcRcttECxyj8JEVoPXoGlqn%252B9v %252FEppuXkIyil5lIGzUHJfpbqYZYQ9ELlkh7Hr%252Baitb6 %252BS2viFCId2AZR1glEdZoqN0Uov380raAMYd54fHkc%252B gKk6PiEGbG8JzqiJvzqXM2b7gU8KNPSCPYIHXJX4KgKrEdYoQm 5we50tqzHu5nX0Cmb%252BNlmDQo%252Bya4YC6QnPw1f7%252 FTNX8vb9v7zkTwjIrYmTeiEzSIKQo%252FM%252FHr9FEIVSqu GLKuBSPg40DbVGNKUYmC6Df3nng%252BouWFSPJqjXJEKIHsKu iLBaDIVA%252BTDIIVR%252FmLLGXc7PgG%252FG8xzHOWu%25 2BcDtVWklst%252F1fcCuLtfU8tDVgSz2UyADNcKgccDdwfQ9h s0%252FaFmRjOS6CXYYO95qnFJVZxh8wdiEanXN0NpzVmo7WQ% 253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A2648523471198f851020d475483b9e 4707bc12ab3674%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Yuki's a great guy to deal with, and you don't see these often as NOS:)

Marco.

[Shovel_Knight]

Here you go, Jamie, from the very same chap I got mine: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Denon-DL-103GL-Gold-Limited-MC-Cartridge-4N-Gold-Wire/264852347119?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3daa6e18ef:g:mdgAAOSwMXpfUFMq&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252 Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkXKoKcbeZcOrOku%252BoOBl%252 BSxgWQokbkyvs2Aw%252BibGZ0A19rAD%252FBEN8dFFmdH090 EGMJFihoMSkznkT%252FwUGEjnN6uZCSlWAU%252BLyKl9kAro tmR%252FsrwSDCtqxVtnuYehzcvKZlXjy55x1iCNyI2zs7BlP2 rM33q7PcAI%252FZgKbdOQLOYPvpvjYF9iU9yER%252Bj3J%25 2BWR2Jw%252Fiwc%252F4TPSu1em5X95oAZ5A222pc6uI3%252 FuzZIW5tLW8kVff4YxFZKyd5VMAGlawLs3%252BRxRJHe3RU4I TayiZ%252BgqpEdv7nez4zFqqoVY83fcSUSGe7CddsoWdovoDM oi%252FuKa%252BZj7y91Wl9pBfyEJx5AlykFo82Bf1fEabBJ6 zKYC6esLC0c1Ty5a4YjyOcRcttECxyj8JEVoPXoGlqn%252B9v %252FEppuXkIyil5lIGzUHJfpbqYZYQ9ELlkh7Hr%252Baitb6 %252BS2viFCId2AZR1glEdZoqN0Uov380raAMYd54fHkc%252B gKk6PiEGbG8JzqiJvzqXM2b7gU8KNPSCPYIHXJX4KgKrEdYoQm 5we50tqzHu5nX0Cmb%252BNlmDQo%252Bya4YC6QnPw1f7%252 FTNX8vb9v7zkTwjIrYmTeiEzSIKQo%252FM%252FHr9FEIVSqu GLKuBSPg40DbVGNKUYmC6Df3nng%252BouWFSPJqjXJEKIHsKu iLBaDIVA%252BTDIIVR%252FmLLGXc7PgG%252FG8xzHOWu%25 2BcDtVWklst%252F1fcCuLtfU8tDVgSz2UyADNcKgccDdwfQ9h s0%252FaFmRjOS6CXYYO95qnFJVZxh8wdiEanXN0NpzVmo7WQ% 253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A2648523471198f851020d475483b9e 4707bc12ab3674%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Yuki's a great guy to deal with, and you don't see these often as NOS:)

Marco.

Yes, a great seller, extremely honest and packs his stuff perfectly - everything arrives undamaged.

[zimbo]

How do you decide which one to use?

Hi Marco,

there is no particular reason for choosing the pickup, it just happens as I like it ...

best regards
Sascha


some Stanton cartridges......

https://abload.de/img/stanton680ee_sj6jc4.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=stanton680ee_sj6jc4.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/stantoncs100j5jb0.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=stantoncs100j5jb0.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/dsc06366oajms.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06366oajms.jpeg)

https://abload.de/img/stanton980lzs_boxedejjn2.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=stanton980lzs_boxedejjn2.jpg)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

A DS Audio rather nice!

https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/126976618_2791273274450794_8819358997232681211_o.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=SWdc33vnsskAX8o_i4a&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=9436b8a1f360e4883b40699c87cfa7c7&oe=60389E78

[Barry]

A DS Audio rather nice!

https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/126976618_2791273274450794_8819358997232681211_o.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=SWdc33vnsskAX8o_i4a&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=9436b8a1f360e4883b40699c87cfa7c7&oe=60389E78

Is that the £50k version?

[sessylU]

Nothing rare or exciting, but I want extra points for having the full range of styli. NAD 9200 cartridge with NAD 91, 92 and 93 styli.

http://bestnetworx.com/uploader/files/740/styl.jpg

[Jimbo]

Nothing rare or exciting, but I want extra points for having the full range of styli. NAD 9200 cartridge with NAD 91, 92 and 93 styli.

http://bestnetworx.com/uploader/files/740/styl.jpg

Didn’t know NAD manufactured cartridges were they rebadged?

[sessylU]

Yep, they're ADC rebadged. Basically a variation on the XLM, although I'm not sure where on that range they'd sit.

There were three, 9100, 9200 and 9300, with 91, 92 and 93 styli to go with them.

[zimbo]

ZYX XH 4D SB

https://abload.de/img/zyx_4dvtj3c.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=zyx_4dvtj3c.jpg)

[Jimbo]

The XLM were very good cartridges. I had one or two in the past.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Is that the £50k version?

No boss, why would anyone put a 50k cart on a Jelco arm? LOL

I have the Master 1 but not the Grand Master (yet)

This baby to set up tomorrow and put arm/cart in will take some pics when done.

https://www.csport.audio/products/images/TAT2_motor_D.png

[Jimbo]

No boss, why would anyone put a 50k cart on a Jelco arm? LOL

I have the Master 1 but not the Grand Master (yet)

This baby to set up tomorrow and put arm/cart in will take some pics when done.

https://www.csport.audio/products/images/TAT2_motor_D.png

I am correct in assuming this TT has a floating platter or at least floats on an air cushion?

[Marco]

Is that the £50k version?

I love the wee light! A bit like trainers with heels that illuminate:D

£50k cartridges? Absolute madness...:mental: Who buys this stuff?

Marco.

[Manicatel]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50890216056_e1e46f2889_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kwZEfd)B7A5B3DC-2B33-4E50-92AC-297FF37CAD49 (https://flic.kr/p/2kwZEfd) by , on Flickr
Recently replaced my old Kleos for the new one. Very happy indeed with it.

[Gerry]

No boss, why would anyone put a 50k cart on a Jelco arm? LOL

I have the Master 1 but not the Grand Master (yet)

This baby to set up tomorrow and put arm/cart in will take some pics when done.

https://www.csport.audio/products/images/TAT2_motor_D.pngSo what is the TT? Arm choice?

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

[oldius]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50608032773_d0a0d19620_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49562223546_6368dd815f_c.jpg

[karma67]

my one and only cartridge :(

https://i.imgur.com/qRIa7CM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uyP8qXm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dfUanWr.jpg

[Barry]

I love the wee light! A bit like trainers with heels that illuminate:D

£50k cartridges? Absolute madness...:mental: Who buys this stuff?

Marco.

https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/grand-master/

£50k includes the necessary equalisation amplifier and power supply.

I heard a DS1 at an audio fair a few years ago, but it was difficult to say whether it lived up to the hype, as it was impossible to separate the 'sound' of the cartridge from the rest of the system, which sounded just like any half decent system without distinction.

[Manicatel]

Heard the Cadenza range a few times, always thought they sounded excellent. Rides pretty low though? Hope all you records are very flat!

[zimbo]

one of the best sounding Ortofon cartridges.....IMHO

https://abload.de/img/ortofonmc20super_armvtkw4.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonmc20super_armvtkw4.jpeg)
MC 20 super

best regards
Sascha

[Barry]

I once had the blue-bodied MC20, but it didn't last long. I would imagine the metal-bodied MC20 Super sounds better. The Ortofon MC25FL has a similar looking metal body, and is a fine cartridge.

[zimbo]

Hi Barry,

the MC 20 super is one of the rare Ortofons that uses a van den Hul II stylus, maybe that's the reason for it's special good sound in my ears?

here is one with a blue metal body, it's a "Vitesse", that was only distributed in Germany and is quite similar to the MC25E.

https://abload.de/img/dsc06277laki8.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06277laki8.jpeg)

best regards
Sascha

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I am correct in assuming this TT has a floating platter or at least floats on an air cushion?

Yes it does sir and it was set up today and is now working, images to follow.

The air pump is totally silent and the arm also uses an air cushion.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I love the wee light! A bit like trainers with heels that illuminate:D

£50k cartridges? Absolute madness...:mental: Who buys this stuff?

Marco.

Well I have met the owner of DS Audio quite a few times, even took him out for the day in 2019 (we went to Betty's tea rooms in Harrogate and the Royal Armouries Museum in leeds then to my favourite curry house in Huddersfield.

Anyway I digress, at one point we talked about the Master 1 cartridge system (I own one) which sells for £20,000 and at that time in 2019 they had sold 120 of them globally. His customers were asking for something better so now we have the Grand Master at £50k and the people who buy these live in the far east mostly, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and of course Japan.

[jahsavage]

Here's a recent rediscovery of mine, an old flame

https://i.ibb.co/xLt2zzH/allaerts.jpg

I also use the Zero for playing Mono

https://i.ibb.co/qNf6NcS/turntable-Above.jpg

Here's a collection of past love affairs, some brief, some broken, some old, some forgotten!

https://i.ibb.co/yqmnjht/cartridges.jpg

[Barry]

Here's a collection of past love affairs, some brief, some broken, some old, some forgotten!

https://i.ibb.co/yqmnjht/cartridges.jpg

What are the two at the bottom, flanking the Van den Hul Condor?

[majex45]

My M75-6 in Garrard 86SB

29173

Ronnette

29174

Sonotone

29175

Technics

29176

Now, what went wrong with these photos? Why aren't they full size?

Anyone got a Shure N75-EJ new or slightly used?

[Jimbo]

Here's a recent rediscovery of mine, an old flame

https://i.ibb.co/xLt2zzH/allaerts.jpg

I also use the Zero for playing Mono

https://i.ibb.co/qNf6NcS/turntable-Above.jpg

Here's a collection of past love affairs, some brief, some broken, some old, some forgotten!

https://i.ibb.co/yqmnjht/cartridges.jpg

Miyajima cartridges always tick the box for me. Those wooden bodied cartridges sound beautiful.

[jahsavage]

Hi Barry,

The cartridge at the bottom left is a Koetsu Urushi Sky Blue, middle top a Clearaudio Accurate and bottom right a 25+ year old Koetsu Rosewood.
The golden 'A' cartridge shown with the vinyl is the Allaerts Boron Mk 1.

jahsavage

[Marco]

one of the best sounding Ortofon cartridges.....IMHO

https://abload.de/img/ortofonmc20super_armvtkw4.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonmc20super_armvtkw4.jpeg)
MC 20 super

best regards
Sascha

Totally agree... Until they lost the plot and started making (largely) the crap they do now!:doh:

What you've got there is a proper Ortofon MC, 'musically voiced' (from the SPU heritage), and not the rather 'hi-fi sound', posing as 'accurate', much of their designs produce now.

Respect too, on the choice of arm, which is very similar to mine!;)

Marco.

[Marco]

Well I have met the owner of DS Audio quite a few times, even took him out for the day in 2019 (we went to Betty's tea rooms in Harrogate and the Royal Armouries Museum in leeds then to my favourite curry house in Huddersfield.

Anyway I digress, at one point we talked about the Master 1 cartridge system (I own one) which sells for £20,000 and at that time in 2019 they had sold 120 of them globally. His customers were asking for something better so now we have the Grand Master at £50k and the people who buy these live in the far east mostly, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and of course Japan.

Lol, thanks for that. Interesting... I'm sure they sound excellent, and good luck to those who buy them, but for me the price is unjustifiable in the real world [outside of 'trinkets' for the rich], for something that will wear out, and worse, could be clumsily trashed at any second - I'd be having palpitations fitting it!:eek:

However, that said, it's nice hearing about such things... I think I'll save the dosh though for a new car:D

Marco.

[kininigin]

Couple of pics of my SC35C with Funk Firm Houdini. Tried to be artistic with the shots ha.

https://i.imgur.com/9rAufHV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kE5FXPd.jpg

[Shovel_Knight]

Nothing fancy, just the good old Nagaoka MP-11

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50904941723_29bd991bff_h.jpg

[zimbo]

Nice shot! great, cozy lighting :thumbsup:

[Jimbo]

Cartridge porn.

[Shovel_Knight]

Nice shot! great, cozy lighting :thumbsup:

Thank you! :)

[zimbo]

https://abload.de/img/ortofonmc-3000_playin3ajgr.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=ortofonmc-3000_playin3ajgr.jpg)
Ortofon MC 3000 MK2

[WullieD20]

A few from past and present:

Hana SL fitted to Houdin
https://i.postimg.cc/CLN5Zp81/Houdini-Hana-SL-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Dynavector XV1t fitted to Houdini (I see Funk use this photo in their advert!)
https://i.postimg.cc/5986VCN8/Houdini-XV1t-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Hana Umami Red in Technics TT
https://i.postimg.cc/mggDCp3S/IMG-1052.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
London Reference fitted in Houdini, Jelco 12" / Garrard 401
https://i.postimg.cc/1zg3Ygjn/London-Decca-4.jpg (https://postimg.cc/McSwnGxq)

[WullieD20]

And to add something from the very back of the cupboard from around the early seventies!
We used to use these (on board RN ships), fitted to a rigid tone arm (No vertical movement!), with a rotating cartridge mounting inside the headshell. A seriously curious arrangement!

https://i.postimg.cc/QC4TTFYX/Sonotone-8-T4-A.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/59nvGr4Z/Sonotone-8-T4-A-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Miller]

Techne Audio Brass body Denon 103 Boron and Shibata

https://i.postimg.cc/ydrLmbVG/IMG-8050.jpg

[Yorkrise]

Jasmine Tiger, denon dpa 80 and Stax ua70https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210208/a11aa4d31444e5c08e7a09c20d85dac5.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Beobloke]

Clearaudio MC Essence on an SME 309

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210211/05f7b2712f30c22bd9554dea16f76fa3.jpg

Will try and snap a few more of the collection at the weekend.

[Beobloke]

ADC LMA-1 on an Accutrac 4000 (which, unbelievably, still works!!):

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210212/b2b397e5ea0dd0c2b32ece0663d659ab.jpg

[Beobloke]

Ortofon OM Pro S on a Vestax PVT-E2:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210212/0035b50b05e309138a70fbab8b9ca88a.jpg

[Beobloke]

And a B&O MMC20EN on a Beogram 4002:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210212/1aa92e5f89e5ac7d971a0755874c2956.jpg

Haven’t used this one for a while and, judging by the racket coming from the arm sled as it moves, it could do with some lubrication!

[struth]

a B&O sp1.. was a lovely old cart.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/EiDD7P.jpg

[Barry]

And a B&O MMC20EN on a Beogram 4002:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210212/1aa92e5f89e5ac7d971a0755874c2956.jpg

Haven’t used this one for a while and, judging by the racket coming from the arm sled as it moves, it could do with some lubrication!

I have one, used either in the 1/2" headshell mounting block or in the SME/EIA adapter. An excellent cartridge, as were all of the B&O MMC designs.

[zimbo]

Fidelity Research FR-1 MK3F

https://abload.de/img/fidelityresearchfr-1m4okjp.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=fidelityresearchfr-1m4okjp.jpg)

best regards
Sascha

[Beobloke]

I have one, used either in the 1/2" headshell mounting block or in the SME/EIA adapter. An excellent cartridge, as were all of the B&O MMC designs.

Shouldn’t be allowed - B&O cartridges for B&O turntables only!!

;)

[zimbo]

great german stuff......:violin:

https://abload.de/img/dsc06492odkiw.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06492odkiw.jpeg)

https://abload.de/img/dsc06497npkan.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc06497npkan.jpeg)

best regards
Sascha

[The Vinyl Adventure]

North West Analogue DH1

https://www.mcru.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20210216_163658-1.jpg

[zimbo]

never seen a DV-507 on a 1210 :stalks:

what kind of platter is that? never seen also.......

regards
Sascha

[Marco]

Same as mine, Sasha, a Mike New ETP:)

Looks like Brooksy's bought Martin T's old Techy!:D;)

Marco.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

never seen a DV-507 on a 1210 :stalks:

what kind of platter is that? never seen also.......

regards
Sascha

Yes as the boss says its a Mike New platter, the deck has all the mods it can possibly have.

[zimbo]

thanks guys. is there more information about the platter and/or the deck anywhere?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

thanks guys. is there more information about the platter and/or the deck anywhere?

The platter is no longer made as Mike New AFAIK has retired and these things were very expensive to make, the deck well I own it so what do you want to know? Want to buy it?

[zimbo]

No, I don´t want to buy it. :confused:
I'm only interested how the platter is made, which material, taken parts from the original platter (rotor for example), or is it a complete new engineered design?

[Barry]

North West Analogue DH1

https://www.mcru.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20210216_163658-1.jpg

That must be a pretty rare cartridge. Are northwest Audio still making them? - presumably only to order.

[Opti-cal]

https://i.ibb.co/5XQnjTL/IMG-20210219-133308-138-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/0p0F9qr)

This just landed. Brand new unused cartridge and aftermarket elliptical stylus.

I'm a happy boy, it genuinely sounds ace.

[mayebaza]

Wonderful Wood [emoji1533]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210219/1d998d5a629c42248e54aeb59ed1a56a.jpg

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

[The Vinyl Adventure]

https://www.thevinyladventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FB_IMG_1613942899053.jpg

Acoustical Systems Fideles

[Gerry]

Goldbug Mr Brier rebuilt by Dominic at NWA.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210225/44296631674f488a839382ce51235ebc.jpg

Sent from my moto g(8) plus using Tapatalk

[MindRise]

Hi Barry,

the MC 20 super is one of the rare Ortofons that uses a van den Hul II stylus, maybe that's the reason for it's special good sound in my ears?

here is one with a blue metal body, it's a "Vitesse", that was only distributed in Germany and is quite similar to the MC25E.

best regards
Sascha

I have the MC-25E, it's a musical cartridge that I have enjoyed a lot but after 11 years the stylus needs to be replaced. I have thought about re-tipping but it's expensive and I'm not sure the sound will be the same. There's also the option of Ortofon's exchange service, I could exchange it for the the 20 Super. Do you have experience with the MC-25E or Vitesse Sascha to compare with the Super?


Totally agree... Until they lost the plot and started making (largely) the crap they do now!:doh:

What you've got there is a proper Ortofon MC, 'musically voiced' (from the SPU heritage), and not the rather 'hi-fi sound', posing as 'accurate', much of their designs produce now.

Respect too, on the choice of arm, which is very similar to mine!;)

Marco.

You are referring to their current designs, do you include the re-introduction of the Super (https://www.ortofon.com/mc-20-super-p-633) too? When I think about their exchange service the Quintet series does not inspire me to proceed and the Cadenza is out of my budget. If I knew how much the cartridge prices will be raised I would have bought the Kontrapunkt b that I wanted for years.

[Jimbo]

https://i.ibb.co/5XQnjTL/IMG-20210219-133308-138-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/0p0F9qr)

This just landed. Brand new unused cartridge and aftermarket elliptical stylus.

I'm a happy boy, it genuinely sounds ace.

Is this an MC or MM cartridge?

[walpurgis]

MM

[Opti-cal]

Is this an MC or MM cartridge?

As Geoff says it's an MM.

A ruddy good one actually. I've put it in a heavier headshell since, it seems to prefer that. Solid tracking and very 'big' sound, if a little unsubtle but what can you expect from a £30.00 stylus?! I've got a brand new NOS original stylus which I might try on it. As I have another identical cartridge I am tempted to sell them as one package however and spend the sale on something a little higher up the ladder . . . . oh christ . . . and so it begins again . . .

https://i.ibb.co/1bNY8pK/Screenshot-20210304-092404.png (https://ibb.co/8Xwn6R2)
image uploader (https://imgbb.com/)

[walpurgis]

I don't think I've ever heard a Panasonic/Technics cartridge that didn't sound decent.

My old EPC-305MC was great!

[Jimbo]

Yes I hear good things about the old Technics cartridges especially the EPC-305MC although I am interested in their old MM cartridges. Does anyone know which one was their top MM?

[Opti-cal]

https://i.ibb.co/BNytH0Z/IMG-20210302-204118-300-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/cL61K4F)
https://i.ibb.co/TM4RPd2/IMG-20210302-204222-828-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/WvkFBj5)
https://i.ibb.co/kHmm6bn/IMG-20210302-213608-456-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/vwXXvy5)
https://i.ibb.co/nMzBvNs/IMG-20210302-213621-174-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/chDwHSc)
image uploader (https://imgbb.com/)

A few shots of my humble Ortofon OM10 with SH-4 headshell.

Plus a 'nuded' AT95EX.

Apologies for bringing the general exotic level of 'Waitrose' carts down to earth with an Aldi bang! . . . . damn having a mortgage to pay, and a job to go to . . . and my family . . . all of which are currently stopping me from having 'proper' carts . . .

[Opti-cal]

Yes I hear good things about the old Technics cartridges especially the EPC-305MC although I am interested in their old MM cartridges. Does anyone know which one was their top MM?

EPC 100 (mkII?) or 205c (mk III?) . . . . I'm sure someone here knows for sure. Absolutely love the look of the 205's. Apparently everything else becomes quite insignificant when the correct combination of arms/TT were found with these. Incredibly low mass tips were key. They also had outrageous frequency specs which many dogs would appreciate.

[Jimbo]

EPC 100 (mkII?) or 205c (mk III?) . . . . I'm sure someone here knows for sure. Absolutely love the look of the 205's. Apparently everything else becomes quite insignificant when the correct combination of arms/TT were found with these. Incredibly low mass tips were key. They also had outrageous frequency specs which many dogs would appreciate.

Thanks for the info, I will look into these. I wonder if Jico Japan do replacement stylus. I will have a look.

[Opti-cal]

I don't think I've ever heard a Panasonic/Technics cartridge that didn't sound decent.

My old EPC-305MC was great!

Geoff (and all), would it be worth getting a Jico SAS stylus for this? It seems the cart body is very good and the addition of a 'super' stylus would elevate it to further heights . . .

[walpurgis]

Geoff (and all), would it be worth getting a Jico SAS stylus for this? It seems the cart body is very good and the addition of a 'super' stylus would elevate it to further heights . . .

I have never had cause to try a Jico stylus so I can't say, but they seem well enough liked.

[Jimbo]

This looks very tempting to try with the EPC 205 cartridge.

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/eps-205ex-sas-b/comment-page-1/:eek:

[Opti-cal]

This looks very tempting to try with the EPC 205 cartridge.

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/eps-205ex-sas-b/comment-page-1/:eek:

Link didn't work for me, assume you meant this? (Just says not found but ends up on Jico search page).

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/eps-205ex-sas-r/

[Jimbo]

Link didn't work for me, assume you meant this? (Just says not found but ends up on Jico search page).

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/eps-205ex-sas-r/

Yes thats the one!

[Opti-cal]

Taking some inspiration from chaps on here I made a little display case (well, modified) for some of my carts.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Shure - Whitelabel
Audio Technica - AT95EX (nuded and wooden body)
Audio Technica - AT110e
Audio Technica - AT95EX (nuded)
Ortofon - OM10
Technics - EPC 270c (elliptical stylus)


https://i.ibb.co/P5YFKs4/IMG-20210304-180239-113.jpg (https://ibb.co/JzdmVW2)
https://i.ibb.co/L8nCkxW/IMG-20210304-180309-467.jpg (https://ibb.co/bPzrWsZ)

[Barry]

Nice work Chris. :) Was it originally a jewellery case?

[Opti-cal]

Nice work Chris. :) Was it originally a jewellery case?

Thanks Barry,

indeed it was. I guess it was always destined to contain diamonds of a certain nature!

[Opti-cal]

Shure M55e with Jico stylus "ploughing" the vinyl

https://i.ibb.co/8c0ZST9/IMG-20210308-230025-477-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/Qdfw1zM)

https://i.ibb.co/c6k54zg/IMG-20210308-225958-678-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/GWnwzgx)

[Jimbo]

Is that on the Audio Technica LP5 chris?

[Opti-cal]

Is that on the Audio Technica LP5 chris?

Certainly is Jim. It's my go to TT (The LP12 remains for more specialist employment) but like the Shure, I can't really fault it. Speed is spot on and I can swap carts instantly for proper back to back testing. Connected to my pretty decent tube phono stage its cheap only in price. I've heard (and had) TT's three times the price that can't keep up. My only criticism (and its actually quite a big one) would be the lack of VTA adjustment. The tonearm is fixed unfortunately. Easily rectified with a cork mat on top of the standard rubber one (doesn't introduce much extra drag from the weight as its very light) and I also use shims with most cartridges too. Weird design, as with the standard cartridge (At95ex) in place the VTA is literally 10mm out in height. Crazy.

I've actually contemplated going to town on it and mounting a Jelco/SME type but apart from the lack of adjustment there's nothing wrong with this arm, so decided to keep it as it is.

The motor/platter and plinth are great for the money.

[Jimbo]

Certainly is Jim. It's my go to TT (The LP12 remains for more specialist employment) but like the Shure, I can't really fault it. Speed is spot on and I can swap carts instantly for proper back to back testing. Connected to my pretty decent tube phono stage its cheap only in price. I've heard (and had) TT's three times the price that can't keep up. My only criticism (and its actually quite a big one) would be the lack of VTA adjustment. The tonearm is fixed unfortunately. Easily rectified with a cork mat on top of the standard rubber one (doesn't introduce much extra drag from the weight as its very light) and I also use shims with most cartridges too. Weird design, as with the standard cartridge (At95ex) in place the VTA is literally 10mm out in height. Crazy.

I've actually contemplated going to town on it and mounting a Jelco/SME type but apart from the lack of adjustment there's nothing wrong with this arm, so decided to keep it as it is.

The motor/platter and plinth are great for the money.

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

[Opti-cal]

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

The Techies (if setup correctly and arm bearing not being worn on 2nd hand ones etc) will sound better. I had a pair of mint 1210's with a lot of goodies (internally grounded/rewired etc), still on the standard technics arm and they do sound great. A lot of that comes from the solidarity of the plinth and just how stable everything is though. This was before I really got into using good carts but even with Ortofon concorde's (classic DJ cart) they sounded nice. Also used some Shure Whitelabels and even stuck an AT95e on one to great effect. The LP5 is not far off though. With a good cart setup correctly (of course) you'r be hard to pressed in a comparison, at least with budget-mid price stuff. I would surmise the better the cart you put on, the more the techies would pull ahead in sonic qualities.

I'd always stick with the older model 1200's/1210's rather than the 1500's (new or old) as in my experience they are just better built. The new 1500 looks a little wimpy in comparison.

If build quality/feel (ergonomics)/upgrade path are high on the list of priorities the techies are head an shoulders above the LP5 (and so they should be for their prices). But, if comparing the sonics of the standard unit vs the standard unit there's probably not a huge amount in it.

The LP5 is a budget marvel, if a little 'plasticky' but sounds great. The techies are a more serious turntable. As you are used to quality with the VPI and the Lenco, a lightly (or heavily) modified Techie would seem to fit in well.

However if you want a 'chuck a record on' TT which sounds good and doesn't cost much, you can't really beat the LP5.

If I had the money a well looked after 1210 with some choice mods would be the one.

[Jimbo]

Thanks for your experienced advice there Chris and your conclusion was what I expected to be honest. Plenty of 1210s seem to come up over the years so I may well dive in if I see something at the right price/condition.

Of course there are other options from the Japanese manufacturers such as Pioneer , JVC , Sansui and Denon but I am always wary of 40 year old electronics as they have a tendency to go Kaput!

[Opti-cal]

Technics 270c (I have a few!) original NOS stylus and alloy headshell.

https://i.ibb.co/zQXzXhK/IMG-20210303-213659-466-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/ck6j6cz)


https://i.ibb.co/1TD4W3Y/IMG-20210303-213548-652-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/hVPTzkx)

[zimbo]

new to the collection.....

https://abload.de/img/dsc065579cjmz.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc065579cjmz.jpeg)

best regards
Sascha

[Opti-cal]

https://i.ibb.co/JKLdYjt/IMG-20210312-203122-531-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/qdGnHYj)

[gwernaffield]

sound smith zepher minic star , Benz Miro M woody that has new ruby cantilever by soundsmith , Michell MK1 Cusis baised on a Benz Micro ,

[MindRise]

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

I was watching this guy's video yesterday, he has more about the LP120 and the 1200. I would take most Technics tables over the AT, not just the 1200. If you are patient you can find them for the right price. Same for other vintage Japanese tables.

https://youtu.be/dsDfwm5tOwM

[Jimbo]

I was watching this guy's video yesterday, he has more about the LP120 and the 1200. I would take most Technics tables over the AT, not just the 1200. If you are patient you can find them for the right price. Same for other vintage Japanese tables.

https://youtu.be/dsDfwm5tOwM

Thanks for that Kostas I will watch later.

[Opti-cal]

I was watching this guy's video yesterday, he has more about the LP120 and the 1200. I would take most Technics tables over the AT, not just the 1200. If you are patient you can find them for the right price. Same for other vintage Japanese tables.

https://youtu.be/dsDfwm5tOwM

I would certainly take most tables over the AT120 . . . it's got issues (as the video eludes to). Absolutely there are a lot of other vintage Japanese TT's out there which would certainly fir the bill. Ton's on eBay at the moment actually.

[Jimbo]

Denon 301 Mk2. Cheap easy to set up and very quiet in the groove.

https://i.ibb.co/t4dSB6H/IMG-1288.jpg

[Opti-cal]

That's really nice Jim. I had a DL 304 which unfortunately met with a sticky end which knackered the internal suspension and rendered it dead . . . . Denon were making some real quality around then.

[Jimbo]

It was a nice cartridge. Very good for the price and a good budget MC starter.

[CageyH]

I have always wanted a second turntable or should I say 3rd as I already own a VPI Scout 1.1 (belter) and a Lenco GL75 (Idler) so a Direct Drive would be my next prefered option as I believe it would be great for certain types of music . I have been looking at the Audio Technica DD turntables but also considered the Technics Sl1200 or SL1500 although these re far more expensive. Would be interesting to know how the Audio Technica turntables compare to the Technics?

There are some nice DD turntables on eNay at the moment.

[Jimbo]

There are some nice DD turntables on eNay at the moment.

Thanks Kev, there does seem to be a lot of Jap stuff up for sale at the moment.

[Bksabath]

VDH Colibri Master Signature

No did not pay the full retail price
Yes even 1.1 mV output works well whit the paradise
2933329334

[oldius]

Going MM for a bit, but what an MM! Attached to an Audio Technica 50th Anniversary headshell, on the Phonomac AT1010 tonearm, all aboard the TTS8000.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210319/ac789e6d9377d9d25a75ad239d43f18e.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Jimbo]

Nice one.

[Jimbo]

This one is an old favourite.
https://i.ibb.co/59kMws6/IMG-1247.jpg

[peelaaa]

My Koetsu urushi tsugaru, haven't a pic of it on the turntable though.

https://i.postimg.cc/Y28GVFSg/R0101005-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fktRSJmT) https://i.postimg.cc/286bf5qt/R0101012-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Dm9yrnPQ)

[zimbo]

my friendly FR-7F....

https://abload.de/img/dsc069172s6j94.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc069172s6j94.jpeg)

:)

best regards
Sascha

[Barry]

my friendly FR-7F....

https://abload.de/img/dsc069172s6j94.jpeg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc069172s6j94.jpeg)

:)

best regards
Sascha

Nice! - Ikeda san designed some fine cartridges.

[Lurch]

My Koetsu RSP on a Bardo/12"Enterprise Mk4. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/5b9b11bb27b908deceb494914c2569e0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/e43777d77e8e2bdd22cd0b72433f7bb6.jpg

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[worrasf]

Goldbug Mr Brier on Mission 774https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/fb792fdc38b9bc81dcc2d7bb8d114769.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[peelaaa]

My Koetsu RSP on a Bardo/12"Enterprise Mk4. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/5b9b11bb27b908deceb494914c2569e0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/e43777d77e8e2bdd22cd0b72433f7bb6.jpg

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

Very nice cartridge