Back in Black

[Bigman80]

I do like the DL-S1 Oli as I heard it with Marco's Head amp and it was stunning! But there are many reasons why it won't happen in my system just now and I am more than happy with the 2M. When you are up in the top flight world of great cartridges that all do great things in the end you have to go with the one that works best in your system for whatever reason.

Science and technical reasoning go out the window as you know when you hear something right or wrong in your system and you have to go with that personal experience that rings your bell!

I know mate. Your system is delightful. Why change!!

[Jimbo]

After 2 years using the FGS 2M Black I have returned to the standard 2M Black and the most immediate impression is how much more detailed the standard 2M sounds compared to the FGS. I find this strange as I thought the FGS had more detail when I first installed it, maybe it is just the wear on the stylus or it could be the increased level of information I am now getting with the better turntable isolation and support I now have? The FGS stylus is quite a different beast which paints a bigger soundstage with a smoother analogue sound. It excels in timbre and tonal quality and makes the Shibata 2M sound a bit lean and thinner tonaly.

There is more body to the FGS 2M but it does not have the standard 2M hyper detail retrieval. The standard 2M sounds more like digital and "hifi" but nevertheless I like it. As an analogue tool for gaining insight into a recording it is forensic and throws a spotlight into every corner of the recording. It retrieves and conveys ambient reflected information superbly and uncovers small nuances and detail like no other cartridge I have heard.

In my system which uses a large number of valves the 2M is softened slightly and fleshed out tonally so I dont feel I am missing the texture and tone from vocals and instruments but I can see where an all Solid State system with bright speakers this cartridge could be too etched and forward sounding. I am enjoying its insight and dynamic ability as much now as when I first had one in my system 6 years ago but having lived with the FGS version for 2 years I have to decide if I should get this cartridge retipped again or live with a standard 2M.

Both are great but are quite different beasts.

[brian2957]

I think you should investigate MC cartridges

[Jimbo]

Indeed I should give them another chance!

[CageyH]

There was a black one for sale on here that I thought you would like?

[Jimbo]

There was a black one for sale on here that I thought you would like?

I saw that one Kev, I think it was an Ortofon Quintet black, good price too.

[CageyH]

Yes. A good choice for dipping your toe in the water.

[Marco]

Indeed I should give them another chance!

Hi Jim,

If you do decide to give MCs another blast, you might like a high-output one, straight into the MM stage of your Croft, thus negating the use for any head amps or SUTs, complicating matters! Just a thought...

I think a Denon DL-110 would work superbly on your arm (with the VPI) and produce a sound you'd greatly enjoy, plus it's very well priced [excellent SPPV]

See here: https://www.hifix.co.uk/denon-dl110-...iAAEgL4EfD_BwE

Marco.

[Jac Hawk]

Hi Jim,

If you do decide to give MCs another blast, you might like a high-output one, straight into the MM stage of your Croft, thus negating the use for any head amps or SUTs, complicating matters! Just a thought...

I think a Denon DL-110 would work superbly on your arm (with the VPI) and produce a sound you'd greatly enjoy, plus it's very well priced [excellent SPPV]

See here: https://www.hifix.co.uk/denon-dl110-...iAAEgL4EfD_BwE

Marco.

Do Denon pay you any commission for your work mate

[Marco]

Erm, unfortunately no... They do, however, make exceedingly good cakes, oh sorry, I mean cartridges!

Marco.