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low tracking force cartridge recommendations?

hey, i'm new here (and also relatively new to the audiophile analog world), so i could really use some advice on my "new" turntable, which will very likely end up being a Dual 1019. from all of my research and speaking with people, it would seem to me that Dual recommended using cartridges that have a low tracking force. my understanding of that is limited, but i do have some idea of what that means.

being my first turntable in many many years, i am not looking to spend a fortune on cartridges - i figured i could spend $100 to $200 at most, and have found many that fall into that price range. some have recommended an Ortofon Super OM 30 to me, others pointing towards a Shure M97 XE. the repair shop that is looking over the turntable was saying a decent Audio-Technica might just be the best route... there are so many choices that my head is spinning.

one thing i did learn is that i apparently should be using a Moving Magnet cartridge since I will be using this table through a Bellari VP129 pre-amp, which I also just purchased.

i will primarily be listening to jazz and old rock records on this unit on a not-particularly hi-fi setup, though having the tube preamp was important to me since i'd love to hear stuff through my Grado SR 125's.

so, knowing all of that, what sort of cartridges would you recommend? i'd be thrilled to find something for $50 that sounds good and won't harm my records, but as i said, would be willing to spend a bit more if that will get me something significantly better.

thank you!
tethead

Showing 6 responses by tethead

tethead OP
10 posts
 
@ Markd51: thanks for the suggestions. why do you recommend buying the body and stylus separately? as I am quite a novice in this field, installing a stylus onto a body is not the first thing I want to be doing to set up my new system. I have read that the Jico Shure SAS is a very good aftermarket stylus replacement for the Shure V15, but I'm not sure I'd want to start out with something quite that expensive (i'm pricing out that combo at well over $200). my hopes were to find something a bit more reasonably priced to get me going in this whole adventure.

@ Dougdeacon: thanks a lot for that link, i've read through that thread and appreciate his insights on MM cartridges. some of it is a bit over my head, but i think i got the general idea.

i guess what i'm still looking for are recommendations from people who own (or have owned) turntables with relatively low tracking force, and which MM cartridges they have tried and liked on them.

thanks!
tethead OP
10 posts
 
thanks, i guess i just wanted "safe" because of the age of my turntable. with so many things that can go wrong with a 40 year old unit, i'd like to keep things as simple (and original) as possible really... introducing a Grado, with the possibility of that infamous "Grado hum", would likely frustrate me greatly. i did seriously consider an Ortofon, but the Super OM 30 i was looking at was a bit more than i wanted to spend as well. apparently Ortofon also discontinued that line and replaced it, anybody know anything about those?
tethead OP
10 posts
 
@Markd51: thanks for clarifying. yeah, on that famous auction web doohickey, i'm finding no empty or worn cartridges - only ones that have already had a new stylus put in, a VN35? so i'd be paying close to $240 for something that is NOT a Jico SAS Stylus... any idea about the VN35? there seem to be standard ones and those with hyper-elliptical needles. are there advantages or disadvantages to HE vs non-HE? i was reading about the anti-skating settings on my unit and it seems that i have to take that sort of thing into account when calibrating everything.

would I be much worse off with, say, a Shure M97 XE? People do seem to like those, and they are at least newer and significantly less expensive. Just wondering if you've ever tried that model, and how it might compare to the older cartridges.

I appreciate your suggestions!
tethead OP
10 posts
 
@ Beragamo: thanks for the advice. which specific models would you recommend? i suppose i am looking for something with a recommended tracking force of 0.5-1.5g, 2g max.
tethead OP
10 posts
 
since i had a Shure M95ED cartridge that was in good shape other than the needle, i decided to (re-)start my analog life with an original Shure NE95ED stylus replacement (the elliptical version). it was a pretty inexpensive solution at $50, and one that i think will be a good basis to really get the feel for the sound of this Dual.

thanks everyone for your suggestions and expertise!!
tethead OP
10 posts
 
i actually have a 1209 that came with the 1019. currently non-functional, but i'm going to get it evaluated soon. the 1019 i'm actually picking up from the repair shop for the first time today, so i'll be spending the rest of my day enjoying some quality vinyl (i hope!).

transporting about 60 blocks in my car in Manhattan, do you think i should leave the old stylus on the mounted cartridge for the ride, and putting on the new stylus at home (which i've never done, but can assume it's pretty straight-forward), or have the shop put it on for me? i think i'm best driving with a dull needle!!
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