What cartridge are you using?

Oh yeah, but I just happened to snap mine off and had some other needles that would fit. And then instead of spending like $180 for another JICO, I thought I'd spend less than a third of that to check out a different flavor for a while. Eventually I'll probably stick another JICO on there even if the N44gx does track well. The JICO does a nice job of adding sparkle without being overly bright and it tracks fantastically.
 
Got a line on a ortofon 2M black cart/stylus brand new for 5 bones. Anybody seen a better deal? Been seeing them for $600-$799....
 
Perry you ever test the ortofon bronze???
 
I haven't...... I did not want to get stuck with it if I didn't like it so I went to the Black.
 
I think they are very similar the stylus is different... what you thinking of the black, does it blow you away or just another cart?

WOPL Sniffer said:
I haven't...... I did not want to get stuck with it if I didn't like it so I went to the Black.
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roccus said:
I think they are very similar the stylus is different... what you thinking of the black, does it blow you away or just another cart?
Click to expand...

You know, after just having the Kenner Close N Play, it made a huge difference. No more nickel's taped to the tone arm....

No, seriously, it is an awesome cart. I've never owned a high end TT and I was amazed at the sound. I never tried it with a different cart so I don't have much to compare it to. I bought only new albums to play on it so it is really sweet to listen to. The Black is highly regarded but not too crazy expensive.
 
Around here the nickels are all in circulation, slugs and heavy washers will have to do.
 
The bronze would be about max top of my budget... like you I never had a higher end TT either I been looking at all makes of cartridges but can't make up my mind if I'm going to lay out that kind of money on one I had better get it right the first time as I may not have another shot at one in awhile

WOPL Sniffer said:
You know, after just having the Kenner Close N Play, it made a huge difference. No more nickel's taped to the tone arm....

No, seriously, it is an awesome cart. I've never owned a high end TT and I was amazed at the sound. I never tried it with a different cart so I don't have much to compare it to. I bought only new albums to play on it so it is really sweet to listen to. The Black is highly regarded but not too crazy expensive.
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well, I figure with as much as I use it, it will last me the rest of my life. So I just did it.
 
I have finally found THE cartridge.........for me, at least. They are an obscure brand that I had never heard of, back in the day anyway. I am running one of these on my Thorens TD-124 with an SME 3009 (non-improved) and nothing I own compares to this cartridge. I do know that the compliance can be an issue depending on your particular tonearm. I'm just saying that you should buy one while they are available, as they are no longer in production. I don't know how this seller ended up with all these cartridges, but all I can say is WOW...

They blow every cartridge I own away..


The model that is still available on the Bay is the Acutex 410. It is the elliptical stylus version of the cartridge. AWESOME....

Just do a search for Acutex 410, and it should bring up the seller in Italy. Usually takes about two weeks to arrive. You can buy either one or two...and I would recommend just going ahead and buying two....or four.... $61.31 for two, or 43.80 for one. Shipping is $13.48... and I think he can ship up to 4 cartridges for that amount of shipping.

I was turned on to this cartridge by a guy I met in Florida who rebuilds vintage turntables. I was looking for a deal on a Stanton 681EEE at the time..(Pickering XV-15) I'd love to hear if anyone else is a fan of the Acutex after a test spin..
 

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I think I have a Pickering XV-15, but it's dead as a doornail.
 
orange said:
I think I have a Pickering XV-15, but it's dead as a doornail.
Click to expand...
I bought one of these new in the late 70's it's still going strong has been mounted in every table I have owned till now, new table has an mc cart have replaced the stylus a couple times the xv-15 has been a nice cart over all the years
 
I was just saying that I was looking for a Pickering when he told me about these. I stopped buying or even looking for the BEST cartridge after buying one of these (Acutex). They are THAT good.

Sorry if I was unclear Orange....
 
For my main rig, the Thorens TD 160 Super/SME 3009 Series 2 Improved Tone Arm, I ran the Audio Technica AT440MLa for a fair while, but have recently changed that to the Ortofon OM series with a 20 type stylus (nude elliptical). I believe the Ortofon is a better match for the tone arm and preamp than the AT440MLa. The Cambridge Audio 651p preamp is known to be bright, and having the 440 running through that required an adjustment of loading using parallel resistive loading. Many records still sounded over bright on that combo. I do give the 440 high praise especially for its flawless tracking, and good bass response, but it is time to try something different. A channel imbalance was also evident with this cart, switching back to the Ortofon corrected this. A higher output was also achieved.

Previously when I ran the OM series cart on this rig, the 10 type stylus was used, and struggled with inner groove tracking on some Lps, (it was setup and aligned correctly). The 20 type stylus tracks much better, and I will consider upgrading to a Super OM cart and 30 type stylus in the future.
 
Not sure if I posted since my granddaughter destroyed my Soundsmith Carmen but now I am using a Ortofon MC20 Super II w/ a level 2 retip. Damn fine cart, almost as good as the way more expensive Carmen and the Benz M2 I was running previously
 
Since I have to buy an other TT to complete my new Dynaco system ,
what do you think about Shure M97 ex ?
Is it a real replica of Shure V15 IV ?
To be honest i haven't decided yet the TT : probably an old Dual .
Dual TTs were compatible with Shure .
Ciao
Marco
 
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