Good (humorous) point Hifiharv. When I worked in Audio back in the 80s, I always paired the Technics tables with Grado cartridges. The Grados were a good match for the mass of the Technics tonearms plus theyre just more musical and have more body than all other budget cartridges Ive heard. Id go with the best Grado you can afford, at least the Blue or the Red (s-mount). The rest of your system is dependent on what this little sucker can do! Do you have anything for setting the overhang and VTA?
Technics and Threshold?
This might sound crazy - but I recently acquired two pieces of gear at garage sales - thinking of putting them to use in my modest bedroom system that did not have analog until these things miraculously appeared:
A technics SLD3 turntable and a Threshold FET10pc phono stage.
I'll put just a few hundred bucks into getting them both going - technics should get a new cartridge - has an old inexpensive audiotechnica.
Any reason why this odd couple pairing can't co-exist (very inexpensive TT and fairly high end phono stage?)
Need a cartridge recommendation - budget is probaby 80-140 - thinking grado, ortofon, but open to suggestions and howls.
Have lots of vinyl - especially jazz - hasn't been heard in years.
A technics SLD3 turntable and a Threshold FET10pc phono stage.
I'll put just a few hundred bucks into getting them both going - technics should get a new cartridge - has an old inexpensive audiotechnica.
Any reason why this odd couple pairing can't co-exist (very inexpensive TT and fairly high end phono stage?)
Need a cartridge recommendation - budget is probaby 80-140 - thinking grado, ortofon, but open to suggestions and howls.
Have lots of vinyl - especially jazz - hasn't been heard in years.
Showing 2 responses by eleet
Wow! You really are the thrifty audio shopper. Now I feel bad about urging you to spend >$100 on a cartridge
this would exceed the entire cost of the rest of your system. Compounding this asymmetry is the fact that cartridges are typically sold at margins of 70-80 points. Of course, its tough to find a quality cartridge at a garage sale/thrift store; although, I get a sense you might find a way. The Grado Red and Blue have the same design. What distinguishes them is that the Reds spec out better under testing. Quantifiably how much better we dont know Grado claims the cohort represents the top 10 percent. Then I guess Joe and his Lab buddies paint every 10th one red:) Ive always used a Dennesen protractor for cartridge alignment, but, since youre not likely to come up with one of these or an equivalent, youll need to go the DIY route. Below is a link for a DIY protractor to help you set the overhang and VTA. Ive never used it but its based on the Lofgren geometry (both A & B versions) so it should be sound. Good luck! Protractor Download |