Slate1 I am presently running an ACE High Output on my Rega P25 through the phono pre of a Musical Fidelity A308 integrated. It performs very well on all types of music, but seems to excell at rock. Newer groups, like Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie and Wilco have lots of layers of sound and the ACE/Rega combo pulls it all out and firmly orders it in the soundstage. I am particularly happy with the tightness of the bass with this combo.
Best Rock Cartridge for Rega $600
Okay - I'm back on the cartridge replacement kick. Not sure if MC or MM will be best for the genre of music I listen to - almost exclusively classic rock. I'm intrigued by MC and am leaning that way although, again, not sure if that's the best bet for rock.
I'll be mounting it on a Rega P5/RB-700 combo and playing through the built in phono-stage of my Muscal Fidelity A300 integrated and some Von Schweikert VR-1's.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1 - Dynamic: I listen to classic rock / classic hard rock almost exclusively so this is a must
2 - Good bass and treble extension: I tend to be happiest with cartridges that may be considered a tad bright by some (i.e. Goldring 1042, Rega Exact...)
3 - Great tracker: I especially want something that will trace inner grooves well and therefor minimize inner groove distortion - probably a line contact stylus.
4 - Trying to stay under $600 and if it's MC, must be over .35mv and MM or high output MC over 3.5mv. Probably going to preclude high output MCs.
5 - Won't hum badly on a Rega table - this puts the Grado's out of the running...
I know I'm asking for a lot! This is just such a difficult deal and there's not real way to "test" these, so I'm hoping for some advice.
I've got experience with the Rega Exact and Goldring 1042, although not on my Rega P5. Here are some others I've been thinking about:
Shelter 301/501 - read that they're not the best at inner groove tracking though
Goldring Eroica Lx - Low output MC @ .5mv (leaning heavily towards this cartidge - really liked the 1042 on my old MMF table)
Benz Ace (low) - Low Output MC @ .4mv
Clearaudio Aurum Beta S (wood body) - MM 3.5mv
Goldring 1042 - MM 6.5mv
Thanks for any input and don't limit yourself to the ones listed, these are just some I've read about.
Please let me know which Rega spacers to use with the cartridge you recommend, if you know that, so I have a heads up on which to buy. I can't use the usual Expressimo, etc. VTA adjusters on the RB-700 arm since it uses a 3 point mounting system - I have to use Rega spacers.
THANKS!
Cole
I'll be mounting it on a Rega P5/RB-700 combo and playing through the built in phono-stage of my Muscal Fidelity A300 integrated and some Von Schweikert VR-1's.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1 - Dynamic: I listen to classic rock / classic hard rock almost exclusively so this is a must
2 - Good bass and treble extension: I tend to be happiest with cartridges that may be considered a tad bright by some (i.e. Goldring 1042, Rega Exact...)
3 - Great tracker: I especially want something that will trace inner grooves well and therefor minimize inner groove distortion - probably a line contact stylus.
4 - Trying to stay under $600 and if it's MC, must be over .35mv and MM or high output MC over 3.5mv. Probably going to preclude high output MCs.
5 - Won't hum badly on a Rega table - this puts the Grado's out of the running...
I know I'm asking for a lot! This is just such a difficult deal and there's not real way to "test" these, so I'm hoping for some advice.
I've got experience with the Rega Exact and Goldring 1042, although not on my Rega P5. Here are some others I've been thinking about:
Shelter 301/501 - read that they're not the best at inner groove tracking though
Goldring Eroica Lx - Low output MC @ .5mv (leaning heavily towards this cartidge - really liked the 1042 on my old MMF table)
Benz Ace (low) - Low Output MC @ .4mv
Clearaudio Aurum Beta S (wood body) - MM 3.5mv
Goldring 1042 - MM 6.5mv
Thanks for any input and don't limit yourself to the ones listed, these are just some I've read about.
Please let me know which Rega spacers to use with the cartridge you recommend, if you know that, so I have a heads up on which to buy. I can't use the usual Expressimo, etc. VTA adjusters on the RB-700 arm since it uses a 3 point mounting system - I have to use Rega spacers.
THANKS!
Cole