recommendation for a high end analog system
I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. ... What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank... Change your cartridge. Sumiko is nothing special, Denon designed for SUPER HEAVY TONEARMS. Start with a new cartridge if you want to improve the sound, this is where the difference can be huge! |
Tracking force recommended by the cartridge manufacturer in the manual, there is a range, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. There are cartridges like Ortofon SPU with much higher tracking for e up to 3-4g. 2g tracking force is standard for most of the MC cartridges, for high compliance MM it can be as low as 1.2g Anyway, if you ignore manufacturer’s recommendation then less tracking force can be worse for your records! |
You don’t need any lubricants for any records, this is snakeoil! The market is crazy crazy for useless stuff. Even 40 y.o. used records are fine, all you need is decent stylus profile like MicroRidge if you want the lowest possible record wear factor and the longest life-span of the stylus itself (2000-3000hrs). You have to avoid any liquid stylus cleaning if you don't want your stylus tip fell-off one day. |
A lot of people are raving about 1200G. How long have had it and how durable is it? Where you’ve been? You must be kidding, are you from another planet or what? Technics made killer turntables since the late 60’s. Technics motor used at Neumann cutting lathe. SP10 mk2 and mk3 are the best. Technics will last forever, this is one of the most durable turntables of all time. Their new G or GR are great for the money when someone looking for plug and play turntable (without upgrades). The tonearm is great! Looking for something better? The SP10R is the answer. Best Technics tonearm? The EPA-100 mk2 is the answer. |
I have a Pickering XSV4000 MM that really changed my perception of MM's - just as enjoyable as my MC's Absolutely, for MC lovers Pickering even made a low impedance (low output) version of his top MM - XLZ/7500 and this MM cartridge must be connected to MC input, headamp, SUT ... (or to MM input with high gain). The tip is also improved Stereohedron mkII version. Pickering top models like series 4000, 4500, 5000, 7500 are exceptional MM. Even cheap XSV/3000 is a good working horse. |
@lohanimal I was lucky to find NOS genuine Pickering D4000 stylus in the box :) |
