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Blue Point No. 2 on a RB250

I'm thinking of exchanging an old blue point for a new blue point no. 2 (+$299). Does anyone HAVE EXPERIENCE using this cartridge on a Rega RB 250? The mass/compliance seem to match well enough.

I'm looking for accounts of actual experience with this combo or with other similarly priced cartridges on this arm. Thanks.
ricardo
catama
81 posts
 
I put a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 on my NAD 533 (with RB250 arm) and was not impressed with the sound. It was OK. Not great. I put an Audio Technica technicraft cartridge on the same table and the sound was much beter then the Sumiko. Put the Sumiko on a Thorens TD 125 MKII with the TP-16 arm and it sounded great. My experience FWIW.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
From what I've read, Roy Gandy, CEO of Rega and prime mover behind the Rega RB tonearm series, is not fond of Sumiko high output moving coil carts. Gandy is a bit eccentric in some of his views and would have a strong opinion about his own cartridges designed for his tonearms (e.g., Elys, Exact).

The Rega 3-pt. mount MM carts screw right onto the RB tonearms and need no fidgety alignment process. I've heard the Exact on a P5 (or P7, forget which) and it was quite synergistic.

Another cart that reminds me of the Exact but can be had for less and of course requires standard mounting and alignment is the Audio Technica AT150MLX. You can currently get it for $325 from LPGear.
bumboola
17 posts
 
The BP2 sounds good (sometimes very good) on lightweight arms. For the medium mass RB250 I don't think it's a good match, it sounds noticeably less open.
ricardo OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. One thing (of many) that confuses me is that, according to the formular at this site:

http://www.theanalogdept.com/cartridge___arm_matching.htm

when I plug and chug the numbers, the BP2 should be a better match on the rega than the Ortofon om 20 I'm using.

But my main motivation is improvement of the somewhat forward and dry sound I get with my current setup. I guess the BP2 would be the wrong direction.
desmondjim
67 posts
 
I had a Blue Point No. 2 on an RB-250 mounted on a SOTA Comet and I hated it. The sound was etched and screachy, easily the worst sound I have had with any turntable. I changed out to an Ortofon 540 MkII and it was much better, smoother and warmer sounding. I also enjoyed a Stanton 681 EEE. I dont't think either of these are in production any more. I ultimately switched to a Benz Micro Ace Lo and have not looked back.
Cheers,
Jim
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