Tonearm/cartridge sugestions for an Oracle Delphi?


I have an Oracle Delphi mk II and I would like some advice regarding the selection of a new tonearm and cartridge.

I currently have a Grace 707 with Grace P9 cartridge and also a Sumiko Premier MMT with Sumiko Talisman S cartridge. Both arms appear to be in perfect condition, but I don't know the condition of the cartridges - I'll assume that since they are both fairly old models that they likely need replacing.

I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this - perhaps an used tonearm in the $400 range and a new cartridge in the $300 range. Can anyone provide some suggestions that would be suitable for this table?

Also, I may be looking at this wrong - perhaps I should be using one of the tonearms I have and just spending more on a cartridge. But I really have no clue as to the quality of the tonearms I have. Comments on what I have already would be welcome.

RLW
phydeaux

Showing 2 responses by pbb

Use the Grace. Get a new cartridge that matches the arm. Nothing much can happen to the arm over the years, unless it is damaged by some incident/accident. The cartridge is more delicate and a number of parts can be affected by environmental conditions. The stylus of a used cartridge should be assumed as requiring replacement, until proven otherwise. The problem is that very few people are equipped to properly ascertain the condition of a stylus. Even in the heyday of vinyl, shops had a microscope to look like the real deal but never had any competent personnel to use it. When in doubt, change the stylus. Since MCs usually have non-user replaceable styli, the safest course is a new cartridge. Once a record has been subjected to a bad stylus, it will never be the same again...
Brooklyn Audio is in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. They be one of us Phydeaux, so no border problems. And no, I have no connection to that concern, like you I did a double take on the name vs. the location. For a low mass arm such as the Grace I would go for a Shure V-15xMR. Not the flavour of the day, but a great cart at a great price, unfortunately no snob appeal. Oh well, what with prices up here in Canada, snob appeal is a very low priority to me. Good day.