View Full Version : Cartridge recomendations please
oceanobsession
30-08-2010, 16:23
Hi folks, ive now purchased a pioneer pl 71, im looking to buy a cartridge
next this is my phono specs
MM sensitivity 2.5mV
Impedance 47k
Distortion -100dB
Mc sensitivity 100uV
Impedance 100ohms
Distortion -80dB
thanks oceanobsession
Spectral Morn
30-08-2010, 17:22
Hi folks, ive now purchased a pioneer pl 71, im looking to buy a cartridge
next this is my phono specs
MM sensitivity 2.5mV
Impedance 47k
Distortion -100dB
Mc sensitivity 100uV
Impedance 100ohms
Distortion -80dB
thanks oceanobsession
Welcome to AOS
Hi could you please pop into the Welcome section of the forum and say hello to everyone.
Tell us a bit about yourself, taste in music and system. Oh yes and can you make your first name your signature and add a basic location to your user details.
Regards D S D L
The PL71 tonearm, if as close to the Rega R200 as I reckon it is (maybe even better), can take almost anything you like, from medium compliance mm's to Deccas without complaint.
How much do you wish to spend? I personally dislike "organic" or dull sounding cartridges like the standard Grado's, so would suggest an AT120e as a minimum and go from there to an AT440MLa, a £200 ish Ortofon with Sumiko headshell and there to Sumiko BPS, Dynavector 10XV and so on to a Denon 103SA or AT OC9 mk3...
Not very helpful there am I? That's why we ask for info in the Welcome section so we can best recommend things for your tastes in music and equipment...
What have you used before and why did you feel the need to change?
Does you phono have a MC input too?
oceanobsession
31-08-2010, 18:37
The PL71 tonearm, if as close to the Rega R200 as I reckon it is (maybe even better), can take almost anything you like, from medium compliance mm's to Deccas without complaint.
How much do you wish to spend? I personally dislike "organic" or dull sounding cartridges like the standard Grado's, so would suggest an AT120e as a minimum and go from there to an AT440MLa, a £200 ish Ortofon with Sumiko headshell and there to Sumiko BPS, Dynavector 10XV and so on to a Denon 103SA or AT OC9 mk3...
Not very helpful there am I? That's why we ask for info in the Welcome section so we can best recommend things for your tastes in music and equipment...
What have you used before and why did you feel the need to change?
Hi ive just bought my first tt for 25 years so im out of touch, but when
someone suggests somthing is not as good as another could they tell which
one with a blind test,only the hifi shop wont sell you cheapest will he
oceanobsession
31-08-2010, 18:37
Does you phono have a MC input too?
hiya yep have mm and mc,
oceanobsession
31-08-2010, 18:40
The PL71 tonearm, if as close to the Rega R200 as I reckon it is (maybe even better), can take almost anything you like, from medium compliance mm's to Deccas without complaint.
How much do you wish to spend? I personally dislike "organic" or dull sounding cartridges like the standard Grado's, so would suggest an AT120e as a minimum and go from there to an AT440MLa, a £200 ish Ortofon with Sumiko headshell and there to Sumiko BPS, Dynavector 10XV and so on to a Denon 103SA or AT OC9 mk3...
Not very helpful there am I? That's why we ask for info in the Welcome section so we can best recommend things for your tastes in music and equipment...
What have you used before and why did you feel the need to change?
i have heard an apheta by rega on a lp12 sondek which was awfull no treble
hifi_dave
31-08-2010, 19:20
That's not the fault of the Apheta.
oceanobsession
31-08-2010, 20:01
That's not the fault of the Apheta.
We then changed to a rega p9 with dynavector xx2 treble was back sounded
loads better.
im looking for a cartridge that will suit my pioneer pl71 and my avi s 2000 pre
with phono stage specs Mc sensitivity 100uV
Impedance 100ohms
Distortion -80dB im not slaging the apheta im after some advice as to which
mc cartridge i should fit
oceanobsession
31-08-2010, 20:05
My list that i would be considering so far
1. at33 ptg
2. denon 103
3. dynavector DV10X5
which of these cartridges would suit my phono specs
All would work, it's now an ear - brain thing.
Buggleskelly
01-09-2010, 08:10
If ya got the dosh the Ortofon Rondo Bronze is worth considering - the current cartridge ,with a Sumiko headshell, on my PL71D. Or the cheaper Rondo Red which I had before - good value for money MC cartridge and worth thinking about.
As said before it's a brain / ear thingy at the end of the day.
Cheers / Steve
My list that i would be considering so far
1. at33 ptg
2. denon 103
3. dynavector DV10X5
which of these cartridges would suit my phono specs
Hi Phil,
The AT33 PTG is, no doubt, the best among them.
PTG - if you can get one. If not, the OC9mk3. I believe SoundHiFi are now importing the AT33EV, but it "only" has an elliptical stylus, allbeit a very good one.
Hi Phil,
The AT33 PTG is, no doubt, the best among them.
Well, King, that depends on one's tastes, and also how one partners, for example, the DL-103 (and indeed which 103 we're talking about)! ;)
Hi Phil,
What sort of sound do you like? I've used all three in your shortlist, so can give an accurate description of their general 'sonic flavour' :)
Marco.
oceanobsession
01-09-2010, 15:14
Well, King, that depends on one's tastes, and also how one partners, for example, the DL-103 (and indeed which 103 we're talking about)! ;)
Hi Phil,
What sort of sound do you like? I've used all three in your shortlist, so can give an accurate description of their general 'sonic flavour' :)
Marco.
Hi marco ive only a squeezebox at the moment im using avi pre monos into
shahinian arcs pc as source, most modern cds sound great but older
recordings sound compressed like you have got the dolby button on showing
my age now, so im not after the compressed type sound, i did hear a rega 9
with dynavector xx2 that for me was close to cd, im hoping vinyl will play my
older music better i like dynamic weighty with detail i like to hear the high
frequencis but dont wont a forward brite sound thanks phil
Well, King, that depends on one's tastes, and also how one partners, for example, the DL-103 (and indeed which 103 we're talking about)! ;)
Hi Phil,
What sort of sound do you like? I've used all three in your shortlist, so can give an accurate description of their general 'sonic flavour' :)
Marco.
Hi Marco,
I've also used all the three cartridges, IMHO, PTG wins hands down.:lol:
Hi Marco,
If you were talking about my aluminum body 103R, then it would be another story. Hehe!
Well, King, that depends on one's tastes, and also how one partners, for example, the DL-103 (and indeed which 103 we're talking about)! ;)
Hi Phil,
What sort of sound do you like? I've used all three in your shortlist, so can give an accurate description of their general 'sonic flavour' :)
Marco.
I didn't think the PTG had a particular "sonic flavour." If it sounds too lean and bright, sort your speakers out ;)
Lol - did I say that the AT-33PTG sounded lean and bright? No, so shut it, daftee! ;)
An OC-9, though, would be a different ball game.... That *is* lean and bright.
Every cartridge has its own sonic signature, including the PTG, although it is more neutral sounding than most. However, given Phil's sonic proclivities, I'd recommend the PTG, or the AT33EV you mentioned, as I think those would be the best bets for him :)
Marco.
oceanobsession
07-09-2010, 20:31
Lol - did I say that the AT-33PTG sounded lean and bright? No, so shut it, daftee! ;)
An OC-9, though, would be a different ball game.... That *is* lean and bright.
Every cartridge has its own sonic signature, including the PTG, although it is more neutral sounding than most. However, given Phil's sonic proclivities, I'd recommend the PTG, or the AT33EV you mentioned, as I think those would be the best bets for him :)
Marco.
Hi marco, thanks for all your help, im still waiting for my pioneer pl71 to arrive
from the usa, i think the denon 103 would suit this tt with sumiko headshell
ive been reading many of your posts about an sut which i think is a step up
transformer my phono stage mc specs are Mc sensitivity 100uV
Impedance 100ohms
Distortion -80dB
would i need a sut or are the specs suitable for the denon 103 maybe pro or
even r spec or does the step up transformer make these cartridges sing what do they add ive no idea about sutch things cheers phil
I do hope the PL71 has survived the trip intact.
Make sure the tonearm doesn't have excessive play in the bearings. The Rega 200 version does have some play in the lateral ones, but Rega claimed the bearings were tapered and the weight of the arm/shell and countweight loaded the bearings properly. No tracking/tracing problems with the Decca at all in my case :)
Marco's recommendations are spot on and the EV stylus "should" be kinder on old vinyl too ;)
Reid Malenfant
10-09-2010, 16:31
about an sut which i think is a step up
transformer my phono stage mc specs are Mc sensitivity 100uV
Impedance 100ohms
Distortion -80dB
would i need a sut or are the specs suitable for the denon 103 maybe pro or
even r spec or does the step up transformer make these cartridges sing what do they add ive no idea about sutch things cheers phil
Hi, 100uV is a pretty sensitive MC stage to say the least ;) The output of the DL-103 is approximately 300uV so you'll not need to use a step up transformer.
If you fancied using the moving magnet input then yes, you'd need to use a step up transformer to boost the 300uV to approximately 3mV.
Hope that helps :)
anthonyTD
10-09-2010, 18:13
The PL71 tonearm, if as close to the Rega R200 as I reckon it is (maybe even better), can take almost anything you like, from medium compliance mm's to Deccas without complaint.
How much do you wish to spend? I personally dislike "organic" or dull sounding cartridges like the standard Grado's, so would suggest an AT120e as a minimum and go from there to an
AT440MLa, a £200 ish Ortofon with Sumiko headshell and there to Sumiko BPS, Dynavector 10XV and so on to a Denon 103SA or AT OC9 mk3...
Not very helpful there am I? That's why we ask for info in the Welcome section so we can best recommend things for your tastes in music and equipment...
What have you used before and why did you feel the need to change?
i agree with dave on the 440ML, i have one fitted to my cranfield rock turntable, it can be a bit forward sounding for some set ups but it tracks like the best around and is very rewarding in the right system.
anthony,TD...
I should have said (?) 440MLa - the "a" indicating treble refinements I believe...
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