TAS Guide to Vinyl Playback

[richidoo]

2011:
http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/the-absolute-soundhi-fi-guide-vinyl-playback-0

2010:
http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/the-absolute-soundhi-fi-guide-vinyl-playback

[eleazar]

Thanks  ....................Bill

[tmazz]

Got my attention.  

Thanks Rich

[rollo]

  Thanks Rich. I'm looking for a MM cart of all times at the moment. Some interesting info there.


charles

[richidoo]

I love my AT 150MLX

[BobM]

Charles,

You may want to consider a Dynavector 20X-H. It's a moving coil with a high output, and is less sensitive to VTA than most MC's, so it should work well with your Linn. This is a beautiful, punchy, dynamic cartridge with a warm tone (compared to typical MC's - but not as warm as a Grado).

Or alternately the new Grado Sonata if you want something warmer with no VTA sensitivity to mate with your Linn.

[rollo]

Charles,

You may want to consider a Dynavector 20X-H. It's a moving coil with a high output, and is less sensitive to VTA than most MC's, so it should work well with your Linn. This is a beautiful, punchy, dynamic cartridge with a warm tone (compared to typical MC's - but not as warm as a Grado).

Or alternately the new Grado Sonata if you want something warmer with no VTA sensitivity to mate with your Linn.

 Thanks Bob. I'll check them out. Looking at a Goldnote MC Boboli MK2 a 2mv as well. The budget is $1000 at most. I have a Benz wood body to trade in , a new onw would be my max budget. But its sti only .8 mv. I need at least 2.5 for the loesch phono stage. I do not want a step up. The really good ones just cost to much. I would rather put the money towards a better cart.





charles

[tmazz]

Up until about two weeks ago the Sumiko Blackbird was selling for $900, but it just jumped to $1099. Perhaps if you shop around you could find someone that still has stock at the old price. 

http://www.needledoctor.com/Sumiko-Cartridge-Blackbird?sc=7&category=25833


The Benz Micro is also at the top end of you budget range (less with a trade-in)

http://www.needledoctor.com/Benz-Glider-SH-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=364

Both of these HO MC cartridges put out 2.5 mV.


The Grados are wonderful cartridges, but very susceptible to hum problems. I had one in my VPI at one point and the hum was unbearable. If I moved the TT away from the wall it was dead quiet, but when it was in the rack it hummed like hell, hence I now use a Blue Point Special.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Grado-Phono-Cartridges

[BobM]

Charles,

You may want to consider a Dynavector 20X-H. It's a moving coil with a high output, and is less sensitive to VTA than most MC's, so it should work well with your Linn. This is a beautiful, punchy, dynamic cartridge with a warm tone (compared to typical MC's - but not as warm as a Grado).

Or alternately the new Grado Sonata if you want something warmer with no VTA sensitivity to mate with your Linn.

 Thanks Bob. I'll check them out. Looking at a Goldnote MC Boboli MK2 a 2mv as well. The budget is $1000 at most. I have a Benz wood body to trade in , a new onw would be my max budget. But its sti only .8 mv. I need at least 2.5 for the loesch phono stage. I do not want a step up. The really good ones just cost to much. I would rather put the money towards a better cart.

charles

The step up solution is a Hagerman Piccolo. Dead quiet and tuneful. It can be made more transparent with a simple cap swap in one key location with some relatively inexpensive and small Sonicap II's.It can be made a bit more dynamic by putting a 1500uF cap across the battery terminals.

Simple, easy and inexpensive. Also a very easy kit to build if you want to try it yourself and save about $100 more.

http://hagtech.com/