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Best Rock Cartridge for Rega $600

Okay - I'm back on the cartridge replacement kick. Not sure if MC or MM will be best for the genre of music I listen to - almost exclusively classic rock. I'm intrigued by MC and am leaning that way although, again, not sure if that's the best bet for rock.

I'll be mounting it on a Rega P5/RB-700 combo and playing through the built in phono-stage of my Muscal Fidelity A300 integrated and some Von Schweikert VR-1's.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1 - Dynamic: I listen to classic rock / classic hard rock almost exclusively so this is a must

2 - Good bass and treble extension: I tend to be happiest with cartridges that may be considered a tad bright by some (i.e. Goldring 1042, Rega Exact...)

3 - Great tracker: I especially want something that will trace inner grooves well and therefor minimize inner groove distortion - probably a line contact stylus.

4 - Trying to stay under $600 and if it's MC, must be over .35mv and MM or high output MC over 3.5mv. Probably going to preclude high output MCs.

5 - Won't hum badly on a Rega table - this puts the Grado's out of the running...

I know I'm asking for a lot! This is just such a difficult deal and there's not real way to "test" these, so I'm hoping for some advice.

I've got experience with the Rega Exact and Goldring 1042, although not on my Rega P5. Here are some others I've been thinking about:

Shelter 301/501 - read that they're not the best at inner groove tracking though

Goldring Eroica Lx - Low output MC @ .5mv (leaning heavily towards this cartidge - really liked the 1042 on my old MMF table)

Benz Ace (low) - Low Output MC @ .4mv

Clearaudio Aurum Beta S (wood body) - MM 3.5mv

Goldring 1042 - MM 6.5mv

Thanks for any input and don't limit yourself to the ones listed, these are just some I've read about.

Please let me know which Rega spacers to use with the cartridge you recommend, if you know that, so I have a heads up on which to buy. I can't use the usual Expressimo, etc. VTA adjusters on the RB-700 arm since it uses a 3 point mounting system - I have to use Rega spacers.

THANKS!

Cole
slate1
11 responses Add your response
restock
831 posts
 
Denon 103 or Denon 103R - given your stated preference:

1 - Dynamic: I listen to classic rock / classic hard rock almost exclusively so this is a must

2 - Good bass and treble extension: I tend to be happiest with cartridges that may be considered a tad bright by some (i.e. Goldring 1042, Rega Exact...)

3 - Great tracker: I especially want something that will trace inner grooves well and therefor minimize inner groove distortion - probably a line contact stylus.

All three points are true for the Denon: Great for rock and classical (with the standard a bit better for rock), great bass, a tad bright and tracks better than the Rega Elys or Kontrapunkt A I had before. The remaining budget you can use for a decent step-up transformer. I heard many good things about:

Lundahl Kit

Also, on my P3 with RB 300 I needed one 2mm and 1 mm spacer; this should probably work for you as well.

Good luck!!

Rene
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rauliruegas
13,084 posts
 
Dear Cole From your list I think that you can't do better that with the: Shelther 501.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
HANDS DOWN Denon DL103R, available from Audiocubes @ $250. HOWEVER - I don't know what the phono is like in your preamp. Is it just a MM phono? If so - You'll need to find a step up tranny - should be able to find one and stay in budget. We're talking about a 0.3mv or so cartridge, needs a lot of gain, but worth seeking out the high gain phono.

Also - I don't know much abour your arm. the rb700... how is it different than the rb600 that I have on my P25? Anyway - if it's basically the same, you've got to find the money to upgrade the arms wiring and the stock counterweight to the michell counterweight. Also - Just as important, is the Twl Hifi Mod AKA gluing two bullet fishing weights to the sides of your tonearm bearing bolts. Makes Rega arm effective mass more appropriate for stiff Denon cartridges. Do this - and you have a SERIOUS hifi arm comparing with those in the $$$$$ No need to space vta even, armtube a little under parallel, just right for these cartridges to ROCK
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
You've got to add the Denon DL-103's to your list, especially the 103R for what you are looking for.

And the best part is that they can be had for ~$300
jazzyguy
5 posts
 
I have the Benz ACE Medium which seems to no doubt seriously excell in Rock Music. I absolutely love this cart for that reason.
stefanl
296 posts
 
Forgot to mention the Audio-Technica OC9.Here is a link to the Cartridge Database which should be useful.http://www.cartridgedb.com/
stefanl
296 posts
 
There are of course the Sumiko Blue Point or Sumiko Blue Point Special No.2 which are H.O 2.5mv I think.There is also the Denon 103 at 0.37mv according to the data sheet so that would be an excellent choice for classic rock.The Ortofon X5-MC is also a good choice.
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog
184 posts
 
A quick FYI...you can utilize the Grado wooden bodied cartridges on the Rega TT's. There is a 1.5mV output version available of most/all of the Reference series. No humming on my P25 at all.
mcrespo71
20 posts
 
Rega's own exact is good for rock, but I use a Dynavector 20XH on my P25 and think it is fabulous for rock. Some other alternatives for you.

Michael
slate1 OP
82 posts
 
The low output ACE is at the top of my list right now based on a few responses I've gotten via e-mail.

Are you having any trouble with tracking inner grooves, or distortion during really dynamic passages - like a sustained high note, etc.? That's a big concern of mine and one of the problems I'm currently trying to solve by replacing the Rega Exact in my system.

Also, one last question - did you adjust the VTA? I e-mailed Musical Surroundings (the US distributor for Benz) and they sent me this rather interesting reply:

"You should be fine “as is” on the Rega P5 regarding VTA. To date, none of our dealers have advised us differently. Typically the ACE likes to be a hair under parallel. As far as hum goes... typically no problem on Rega tables. I have no reason to believe by putting the ACE in your set up that you will introduce hum."

I was a bit surprised that they didn't recommend any adjustment.
revdeg
32 posts
 
Slate1 I am presently running an ACE High Output on my Rega P25 through the phono pre of a Musical Fidelity A308 integrated. It performs very well on all types of music, but seems to excell at rock. Newer groups, like Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie and Wilco have lots of layers of sound and the ACE/Rega combo pulls it all out and firmly orders it in the soundstage. I am particularly happy with the tightness of the bass with this combo.
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