What cartridge are you using?

Right now the Pioneer PL-610 (which I have incorrectly listed in the sig line and never fixed) and PL-4 are using AT stuff. I haven't touched the SL-1300 in a while so I'd have to look.
 
I use an AT440mla & Shure M97xe/JICO SAS.

For the changer I use a Shure SC35C and M3D.

I had an Ortofon Red. Let it go with a table I gave away.

The AT440mla I've had a love/hate feeling about but I keep going back to it. The Bellari VP130 with a Sovtek 12AX7LPS is the best combo I've heard with it. (Thanks Larry)
 
Ortofon 2M Blue

Currently using an Ortofon M2 Blue. Have it mounted on an SH- 4 headshell and I am very happy with the sonics of this cart in my rig:



 
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I'm using a WINLABS SDT-10.2 semiconductor (strain gauge cartridge). I have had this baby since 1976. I sent it off to
Dr.Sao Win a few months ago and he rebuilt the power supply and a new stylus. It is an amazing cartridge. Anyone still using one?
I also use a Shure v15III, a Dynavector 10b (another oldie) and picked up a Otofon Red the other day.
 
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Using the Red, and reading around the net is what prompted me to upgrade to a Blue. I was quite happy with the Red and wanted to see what the next step up would be like. Very happy with the Blue as well. I think at list price, they are a little pricey. After hearing the Blue, I dont think I would have upgraded from the Red had I paid full price on a Blue. Markup on those things is ridiculous.
 
JustMike said:
I'm using a WINLABS SDT-10.2 semiconductor (strain gauge cartridge). I have had this baby since 1976. I sent it off to
Dr.Sao Win a few months ago and he rebuilt the power supply and a new stylus. It is an amazing cartridge. Anyone still using one?.
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Now that's the first time I've heard of a cart like that! Very interesting. Do you have sound samples?
 
BubbaH said:
Using the Red, and reading around the net is what prompted me to upgrade to a Blue. I was quite happy with the Red and wanted to see what the next step up would be like. Very happy with the Blue as well. I think at list price, they are a little pricey. After hearing the Blue, I dont think I would have upgraded from the Red had I paid full price on a Blue. Markup on those things is ridiculous.
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Your pricing on the Blue made it too tempting to pass up as I actually stayed within the budget I set to spend on a new cart/ headshell.
 
Pure_Brew said:
Now that's the first time I've heard of a cart like that! Very interesting. Do you have sound samples?
Click to expand...

Only in my head buddy. I wouldn't know how to do it correctly anyway.
Dr Win was the pioneer in strain gauge cartridge design. He sold his design to Panasonic which released a few back in the 70's.
Soundsmith (http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/sg.html) is a current manufacture of this type of cartridge.
If you search the net you can find some info on the Win cartridge.
Cheers
 
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Question: Is 20db of stereo separation at 20khz, unusual at all for a phono cart? That's what wiki states about the Shure M3D.
 
laatsch55 said:
Doesn't seem like a whole lot does it Joe??
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I'm not really sure as far as carts go but I know what you mean lol. Specifications I've been seeing usually state in the 20db ranges, but at much lower frequencies. So if it's true, it might be a good characteristic. But um.... Hmmm... That cart won't play to 20k I don't think lol?

Anyway, I've noticed that this cart has some nice qualities and sounds really nice on old pressings from the 60's. I thought it had really lousy tracking on the Garrard, but it turns out that the tone arm and linkage is an issue. I put this cart on my Technics DD tonight. Pleasantly surprised. Needs about 4grams to track but I'm looking at a 1.5-3g stylus for it right now.

I got the SL-1800 for $20 and the Shure M3D off of a $20 parts garrard TT. $12 for a needle. I know it doesn't seem exciting, but for nearly $50 worth of gear, Dexter Gordon's "one flight up" sounded really impressive. I rather listen to that record on this then anything else I have, or had, that I tossed a lot of money at.
 
I have a old Pickering v-15 and a denon dl110 mc cart. IMO the denon blows away the Pickering !!! A lot more robust sound more bass extension and I like the way the denon tracks also. Great cart for 150$
 
Skynyrd77 said:
I have a old Pickering v-15 and a denon dl110 mc cart. IMO the denon blows away the Pickering !!! A lot more robust sound more bass extension and I like the way the denon tracks also. Great cart for 150$
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The Pickering you got from me right? That cart requires a correct setup so you need a protractor. When aligned correctly, you will notice a difference. Not quite as good as the Denon though but the Pickering is a pretty neutral cart

I use Shure V15's exclusively with Shure Super Track and Jico SAS stylus'
 
Northwinds said:
The Pickering you got from me right? That cart requires a correct setup so you need a protractor. When aligned correctly, you will notice a difference. Not quite as good as the Denon though but the Pickering is a pretty neutral cart

I use Shure V15's exclusively with Shure Super Track and Jico SAS stylus'
Click to expand...

Yep. I'll have to try to set ii up better and see what I think.
 
I'd like to try a GOOD cart. But most are more expensive then my components lol. So 150 is as high as I've went.
 
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