There WAS a V15LT P-mount version of the V15. I had one in my Technics SL7. Sounded good . .
Best "P" mount cartridge?
Before the laughter sets in, I have to explain that I have the luxury of having two separate two-channel systems in one dedicated listening room in the basement of my home. Each has an analog front end; one being a Pink Triangle/Scorpio/Dynavecto Karat set-up, the other is an '80s circa Technics SL-QL1, direct drive, linear tracking table. The latter takes "P" mount cartridges. It has also been totally modified by an individual who is no doubt known to many of you, and who uses similar tables on his elaborate systems, which include $100,000+ speakers. I am trying to poll all of you with any "P" mount experience, as to which of those cartridges you felt was the best. These little Technics are so far and away superior sounding than anything you can buy for under $15,000 to $20,000, that only hearing them would convince you to take me seriously. Admittedly, although they can be had for under $100 via the internet, and under $25 at yard sales, they do need some toying with to bring out their optimum capabilities.
In any event, I would greatly appreciate your input as to the question at hand. Right now, that is the only factor keeping my unit from maximum performance. Thanks for your patience, as well as your opinions.
In any event, I would greatly appreciate your input as to the question at hand. Right now, that is the only factor keeping my unit from maximum performance. Thanks for your patience, as well as your opinions.
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The Panasonic MC310 that may have come with your turntable is a decent moving coil cartridge especially if it is mated to one of the aftermarket transformers that you see on EBay (like Klangfilm, Beyer etc) with a 100 ohm matching input impedence. But I have used s few of the turntables you hmentioned with a variety of P-mount cartridges and got excellent results. My favorite was the Stanton 737 Stereohedron model. I've also tried the Radio Shack V15 body that accepts the Shure V15 MR stylus assembly but it sounds a tiny bit edgy compared to the Stanton. The ADC PX-40 and PX-50 come in P-mount styles and they are very good, perhaps a bit better than the Shure V15 MR in the upper-middle but not as good in the low end. Pickering also made a P-mount body that had a Stereohedron stylus made for it (I think it was the 4000) but the Stanton "floating Stylus" design seemed superior to the Pickering even though they were associated companies. In my opinion it all comes down to the stylus tip design. If you can find any really good P-mount cartridge body with either a Gyger, Van den Hul, Micro Ridge, MicroLine or Stereohedron stylus tip, it can produce top-of-the-line sound. I've never heard an AT ML cartridge in a P-mount but having heard many of them in standard mounts I'm sure they would be great. I have cartridge shoot-outs with audiophile friends all the time. To me the phono cartridge is the most difficult part of the audio chain to make well. It is the equivalent of making a fantastic sounding, wide dynamic range One-Way speaker system. A few electrostatics come close but even they have major flaws. But I can name a dozen truly great phono cartridges. Many of my friends are astounded/upset when they realize they prefered a Stanton 981 Stereohedron cartridge over a Koetsu Rosewood Signature, or they Liked the Audio Technica 440 ML over the ZYX Airy3. Often the choice is due to one reasonably-priced cartridge having superior vocal/violin range performance compared to an outrageously priced cartridge, but it shows there can be some great cartridges out there in the P-mount style. This being the case you should be able to find a high end Stanton cartridge with a Stereohedron stylus in P-mount. Of course barring that just do what I do and take a cartridge with a good motor system and have Van den Hul USA put a VdH1 stylus on it with either a boron of sapphire cantilever. The boron-VdH1 system (from VdH USA) could be mounted on a Panasonic/Technics 310 moving coil cartridge for much less than $300 now-a-days. I also sent one out to Australia for a less expensive aluminum-Vital combo and it was about $200 total. As long as the motor works properly, getting a decent moving coil retipped with a higher-end stylus design can make all the difference. While the stylus really does make a huge difference it can't make an Ortofon MC 10 into an MC 15MkII or an MC 15 into an MC 20 etc. But it will make any elliptical stylus cartridge sound worlds better by just putting a "Line Contact" style stylus on it. Good luck. |
Yes, there is a high end Shure cartridge still available as a P-mount. See it here: http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=SHEC01P The Ortofon OMP-10 (P for P-mount), is compatible with any of the OM-series sylii, all the way up to a Fineline Geiger OM 40 stylus. www.kabusa.com sells an integrated OMP 20, 30, or 40 here: http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/ortofon.htm LPGear.com also has a $160 Audio Technica P-mount here: http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATC08 As previously mentioned, the entire Grado Prestige series is available in P-mount all the way up to the Gold series. |
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