Phono Cartridges

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by JK47, Jan 12, 2016.

  1. Mikoss

    Mikoss Friend

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    Here are some initial impressions, moving from the Denon DL-103R (in stock form), to a used Lyra Delos (newly re-tipped by Andy at needle clinic). According to the seller, the Lyra had about 10 hours on it with the new stylus, which was installed on the existing cantilever.

    The seller was local, and came over to help me set up the cart, which was friendly. As of now, I'm still not 100% with how everything is mounted... I'm getting a slight channel imbalance (left channel is louder). Everything seems to look alright, but I'll need to get a test record to see if I can figure out what is causing the imbalance.

    Regardless, here are some thoughts... I find the Lyra to have an overall effortless clarity. Where the Denon had a cohesive, satisfying overall sound, the Lyra puts forth clarity and speedier dynamics. The Denon seemed to have a slight midrange emphasis, whereas the Lyra sounds more neutral.

    I've also found vocals to sound stunning with the Lyra... There is a raw quality in its presentation that really seems to translate an emotional connection. I don't find the Lyra to sound bright at all, however I do find the Denon's treble to sound slightly rolled off. The Lyra's treble just comes across with more sophistication in comparison to the Denon.

    The Lyra could also be a pickier cartridge than the Denon, in that the Denon seemed to always pull everything together regardless of the material. I highly regard the Denon for being able to do this... It's a unique trick that goes back to my description above of an overall cohesion. The Lyra however tends to really shine when given the opportunity; sax, trumpet, vocals... drums all sound more sophisticated and also effortless in presentation. The sophisticated sound seems to be due to a more precise, resolving ability with dynamic material, where the Denon seems to get a bit congested.

    Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Lyra, for its ability to bring forth an emotional connection. I also wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Denon, for it's phenomenal performance to price ratio. (I paid $249USD for a new DL-103R, which outperforms the Ortofon Bronze, which normally sells used around that price).

    Edit: here's a link to an Audiogon discussion with regards to the Lyra. Some good info on the design philosophy, and discussion on the overall ability.
    https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-lyra-delos-cartridge
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2016
  2. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Goldring 1042, any opinions? Nagaoka M500, is it high compliance? Any recommendations for MM high compliance carts at about $500ish? The Ace Space Arm is 12.5 gms. I don't want to go DL-103 again, since I keep reading about how low compliance isn't the best match for the Space arm's effective mass.

    Still yet to pick up and inspect the Space Arm, but assuming it works, will need a cart. Actually, if one of you have something underused to sell me, I would be interested. Looks like I'm giving this another shot.

    Paging @shaizada.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2016
  3. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    @sphinxvc , if you want to look at a seriously good MM cartridge, try this one:
    http://www.lpgear.com/product/NAGAOKAMP300.html

    The MP500 is top notch, but it is definitely priced a bit higher. The Soundsmith Moving Iron cartridges are excellent as well.
    The Goldring gets a lot of good reviews, but I haven't PERSONALLY heard it, so can't say one way or another.

    If you like, you can do the Denon DL-103R which will work your medium effective mass tonearm. NOT the regular Denon DL-103 which requires a heavy effective tonearm mass to sound right.
     
  4. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Hey Gaurav, I got the MP500 this morning. :)
     
  5. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    Well Hec! You should be on top of the world with that one. If for any reason, you decide to sell it, ping me.
     
  6. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Haha, sure thing. I'll try to be a bit more patient this time though. The idea is zero rig changes in 2017 minus maybe one "good things come to those who wait" upgrade on the digital side and a phono stage.
     
  7. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    @shaizada My friend in the RP needs a cart in the $600 range. He will run it in a Rega Planar 3 24 volt. Which cart would you recommend in that range?

    @sphinxvc Impressions on the Nagaoka, dude? It should be nicely breaking in right now?
     
  8. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I saw this earlier today, and the heading made me laugh.
    EchohifiPage.jpg
     
  9. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    The Rega sound is unique. Depends on what your friend really wants to do. Look at the Denon DL 103R with proper high quality phono, Nagaoka series (really, buy the best he can from this series...I feel they are amazing!), Ortofon Quintet series, Ortofon Cadenza's. All of these would do quite well with the Rega tables.

    With the Denon 103R, with the money saved, a high quality step up transformer can be bought and matched.
     
  10. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    :) I haven't set anything up yet, actually. My phonostage just arrived at the local FedEx location today, need to go pick it up and get everything together.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2017
  11. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Thanks, Gaurav. He already has the Denon, will have him look at the Ortofons. Not the slanted ones, though.
     
  12. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    coming from Technics 1200 w/ Denon dl103r - has anyone tried any of the Hana carts? eyeballing the EH low output versus the Shibata versions, or vs. the Nagokas at similar price points, i.e., $500–$750.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Finally got an AT440Mlb stylus, using it in an AT100E body (hoping it's an older, lower inductance model, if rumors are true). It's what the vast majority of folks recommended for bad IGD problems, and seeing as I listen to modern, prog metal, that is often heavy and compressed, well...Yeah. The 440 cuts through that shit better than I expected. Very happy. With the extra poofs cut out of my 750, the sound is not too lean or bright at all. IGD basically gone. It's a good feeling.
     
  14. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Last edited: Mar 14, 2017
  15. bobboxbody

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    This is a real late reply, but I highly recommend the SAE 1000lt cart for Rega tonearms. It's a high output MC so it works fine on an MM phono stage, I'm using the built in phono stage on my integrated amp and it works great. I bought one used on a whim about 6 years ago for $100 to try against my Denon 103r with SUT and thought it did everything better, in addition to playing with less surface noise. Mine went on my Rega p25. There is a german site selling NOS versions for 318 euro, which includes tax for germany, which you don't pay if it's being shipped out of country, so it works out about the same with shipping.

    https://www.thakker.eu/en/pickup/sae-1000lt-cartridge/a-5171/

    lots of reviews online from when a bunch of NOS versions came up on ebay.
     
  16. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    I was reading this (click me) article from Fremer today and something occurred to me...

    Since it seems to be impossible to make a completely flat response MC cartridge (due to the rising top end) the best ones seem to generally fall into one of two frequency response "camps". Either they go for neutral bass/mids with varying levels of tipped up top (Ortofon Black, Lyra etc..) or they roll off earlier (Zyx, Hana SL etc..) having a top that is closer to neutral at the "expense" of a warmer sound.

    Am I the only one that's noticed this? Really make me want to have three arms; one for each camp plus a mono....
     
  17. xLn

    xLn Acquaintance

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    The blackbird came with my turntable, it sounds good and all, but I think I just prefer a warmer more fleshed out sound. Has anyone heard a clearaudio maestro v2? My tone arm is 8.5 effective mass if anyone has another recommendation. I don’t really want to go with a sut at this point so was looking at mm carts.
     
  18. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    While adjusting the VTA, bent Ortofon 2M Black Cart cantilever a bit. :( I couldn't discern any playback problems or sound degradation but keen to bend it back to original position if possible. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I think you are stuck with it bent. Ortofons have had a recently bad rep for dickeyed styli, or mounts.
    IMG_2815.JPG IMG_2814.JPG
     
  20. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    I guess that I might have to stuck with it for quite a long time since it is only ran 20 hours from new so far....
     

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