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Trying vinyl, need some help!

For the last month, I have been searching for a good cd player or transport and thought I had settled on a Mcintosh unit when I started looking and turntables. I found a Roksan Radius 5 with a Nima tonearm that was in my budget so I bought it.
Now comes the problem, the cartridge. There are so many to choose from and they are not cheap so finding one that would compliment the table/arm is a bit intimidating.
My Audio Research preamp has 2 inputs for MM, or I can purchase a dedicated MC preamp.
If anyone has any experience with the Radius 5 please let me know what you have tried.
drf24
drf24 OP
21 posts
 
This Grado Sonata would be a perfect match with that tonearm with the mass of the arm of 11 grams!
Thanks for the suggestion. Taking a closer look at the Grado

Loaded your MM cartridge with 100k Ohm you will get an amazing sound quality compared to standard 47k Ohm.
Seems there is a lot more to learn about vinyl than just buyin a record and playing it.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@drf24 you can pay less to get much better quality if you will look for MM/MI cartridges made on peak of the MM boom (in the 70s). This is one of them with nude Shibata stylus tip.

Yes, the 100k Ohm option will open up the potential of almost any MM/MI cartridge, simply locate 47k Ohm resistors inside your phono stage and replace them with Vishay 100k Ohm resistors, it will take 15 minutes. Thanks to Raul and Lewm for this advice. 

There you go (you need two, select 100k ohm value): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Texas-Components-TX2575-Naked-Foil-Audio-Resistor-at-0-1-or-better-TX2352-v... 

drf24 OP
21 posts
 
@chakster Thanks again, ordering a set of the 100k right now. The SP-4 has 3 phono inputs, mine doesn't have the head amp option installed though. I can change one of the inputs to 100k and leave the other alone.
Found a few AT20SLa on ebay.
Thanks again for the info, very much appreciated!
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
The Dynavector 10X5 High output MC $650! This is the best $650 cartridge you can buy imo. This will work very well with your MM phonostage. The dynavector sounds very lively and dynamic, itll make you want to stand up and dance or at least tap your foot!


Matt M

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,500 posts
 

If your just starting out I would not start by opening your pre-amp and taking a soldering iron to it (sorry chakster). stick with the proven and when you get comfortable then start experimenting. Most MM manufactures build for 47k ohms you would get more out of the MM cart by having selectable capacitance. MC you want selectable resistance (or as we say loading it).

I would also say as some others get a quality MC and add a Step up transformer or MC phono section. there are many out now for reasonable money (under$1k, even under $500) that will sound great.

the Dyna above is a good choice also look at the Audio technical carts they make many that are stellar performers for the dollar a few outstanding ones for under $500 (OC9 comes to mind).

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