Respectfully seek some arm+cartridge advice


First off, thanks to all the wonderful advice flowing thru this forum.I have finally upgraded from my Phase Linear/GAS amp system and joined the audiophiles of the millenium - including back into vinyl.

I purchased a vintage GyroDec with an SME 3010-R and also an upgraded Scout with the JMW-9. Both will need cartridges. I've read what I can (my wife thinks I'm ignoring her) on cartridge selection but don't have a strong sense of what works - which I suspect means most all combos "work", the question is "how well".

So as a neophyte, how do I select a cartridge I will love? I now know MC has a lower voltage output but I think I'm ok there. I know to select a cartridge compatable with the arm's weight - but how?

I figure the simplest thing is to(unnecessarily) spend a lot of money or just ask what everyone's using - which I welcome if they're on similar equipment.

I don't want to spend thousands and I am frugal - so "used" is fine. I need 2 different cartridges and I'd like to keep it under $1,000 yet be happy.

My equipment is decent including a Lexi MC-12 pre, Theta/Dreadnaught amp plus a couple of tube amps and a Mcintosh amp. I purchased a Musical Fidelity phono pre-. Speakers will be Hyperions for HT and I have B&Ws and Definitive Tech's. I have rarely "loved" digital music and I tend to Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons and Rock 'n Roll of the 70s but also classical and jazz.

What I'd love is a primer on what to do if one exists. Failing that, any recommendations welcome - I don't mind trying a number of options and reselling what's not right.

Cheers all,
Kevin
arbrnrngr

Showing 9 responses by rauliruegas

Dear Kevin: You already have two good TT's/tonearms combos. Now you have to put your money on the source: phono cartridge, try to invest all the money you can on it: remember that that phono cartridge is the transducer for the music reproduction and the better your cartridge the better the quality sound reproduction.
I agree with Aceto: buy one, a really good one, instead of two bad/regular cartridges.
Try to find new or second hand: Benz Micro Ruby 2, Ortofon Kontrapunkt B, Dynavector XX 2, Shelther 501 II or 90X, Benz Micro L 0.4, Sumiko Celebration, Ortofon Jubilee. Any one of these cartridges goes fine with both tonearms, no problem.

If you are serious about music reproduction stay away of the Denon 103 R, this is a garbage of cartridge nothing more nothing less. Don't waist your money and time with that " thing ", and remember, in your current system, the better the cartridge the better the quality of the music/sound reproduction .

Regards and enjoy the music.

Raul.

Ps: " You'll have to hurry, the 103 line is being discontinued ". Dougdeacon: ยก BRAVO ! Thank's God is being discontinued, in that way it can't do it more harm to anyone.
Gregadd: I'm not saying that the Koetsu RSP does not works well with the IV. I'm saying that there are other better tonearms choices.
If you don't have other than the IV, you can live with this combo it has good performance.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Doug: " I think the Denons are excellent performers for their price...".

Well the Shelther 90X is an exellent performer for it price, too. That statement means really nothing about the quality music sound reproduction.

Many people in this forum think that the 103/103R are the bargain of the century, but I never read why and against who.

You can find ( second hand ) a Sumiko Celebration for 800-900 dls or a Denon DS-1 for 600-700 dls. Try any one of these cartridges against any Shelther or ZYX and you can " see " why those cartridges are truly a " century bargain ".

Don't argue nothing till you try it ( you don't have nothing to loose, right? ) , BTW anyone.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Doug: You can't loose anyway. If you don't like those cartridges: I buy it. Hands down any Shelther or ZYX cartridges.
Regards and enjoy the music.
raul.
Dear Cello: " dispenses wrong information ...".

If this is your opinion ( that I respect ), please explain to this forum specifically all those " wrong information " and why it is a " wrong information ".

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Hi Wc65mustang: " Sumiko Celebration against any Shelter or Zyx"
That's funny. "

Why is funny?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Wc65mustang: It is clear that you don't have any knowedledge about. Please close your mouth if you really don't have a point. Be serious. ( I rectified: any ZYX but the Universe ).

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Gregadd: It is not the best match. I try my Koetsu RSP with the IV and it works good but this is not the best tonearm for that Koetsu model. I have exellent performance on the Audiocraft AC 4400/3300, in the SAEC WE 8000 ST, Lustre GST 801 and in the Moerch DP6.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Hi Jphii: Finally you understand it. Now you have to try it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.