@dhite71 , None of the above. What you want is a My Sonic Lab cartridge, whichever one fits your budget. They all have similar motors and they all are low impedance higher output MC cartridges around 0.56 mv is typical. They are beautifully constructed and will mate perfectly with your arm. The better Ortofons are very low output. The Koetsus are low output and too stiff for your arm. You would have to add a lot of mass. The Lyra cartridges would work fine but as a AR person my suspicion would be that you would prefer the MSLs.
Cartridge Advice Please
I would love to hear from others that have traveled the same or a similar path.
My system is the previous Gen of Audio Research REF gear with the 75SE amp, 5SE preamp and 2SE phonostage with the Rega P10 playing Wilson Sophia 1. I listen to a lot of rock, R&B, blues, jazz, folk
My previous cartridge of about 2 years was a Benz Micro Wood SM. I got it new and loved it from the first record. My current cartridge is the Kiseki Purple Heart which I love even more and also have loved from the beginning. I got is used with about 200 hours, lol. So many people listen for 200 hours and then sell. I am fine with used but have always found that 150-200 hour statistic funny.
It has been about 9 months and I am happy with every other aspect of my system so would like to experiment with a new cartridge. Here are the ones that didn't work
SoundSmith Sussuro MkII ES - I liked it but with a 0.4mV rating it required my 5SE volume to be around 20 higher than the Purple Heart rated at 0.48mV. That makes no sense and it caused a buzz to be audible from my speakers between albums/tracks when listening at moderately loud volumes. Mr. Peter said there was nothing wrong with it and felt no need for me to send it in so I sold it.
Rega Aphelion 2 - This came used on my P10 and my mind was set on selling to justify the P10 upgrade so not sure I gave it the best chance but it sounded bright to me.
Rega Apheta 3 - Same deal as above, came on my previous RP10 and also sounded bright.
My initial thoughts are:
Koetsu
Lyra
Higher level Benz
Ortofon
Showing 6 responses by mijostyn
@mulveling , I would not say on the brighter side. I would say on the leaner side. It is hard to believe anyone would not like MSL cartridges. They are so easy to get along with with their higher output and great tracking ability. They are a warmer sound than the Lyras but the differences are really quite minor. |
Given your price range I think your best choice would be a Lyra Delos. The least expensive cartridge MSL makes is the Eminent EX and it retails for $4000. If you get it from a site with a trade in program you might be able to get that down $500. You hardly ever see MSL cartridges used. I would not hold out for that. |
@clearthinker , I have the MC Diamond, the politically correct Anna. It is a very heavy cartridge and huge in comparison to other cartridges. I use it in a Schroder CB with the brass mounting plate and I get a resonance frequency in the 7-8 Hz range. So, it does not need a massive arm. Any of the intermediate mass arms will do. |
@clearthinker I'm with you. No, if you have a well isolated turntable 7 Hz is not too low. Bass performance is improved, noticeably if you use propper subwoofers. |
@dhite71 , that is an unfortunate experience you had with PL. I had a high output Voice and after about 50 hours it started mistracking. Inspection showed the stylus was pointed in an odd direction. The cantilever had twisted in it's fitting! I took a picture and emailed it to SS. Peter messaged me and just said, "call" and the number, which I did. He told me to send him the cartridge and to label the box, "For Peter's desk only." I had a brand new cartridge 4 days later. So, Peter must have had a bad day or somehow you rubbed him the wrong way, whatever. The Voice is a high output version of the Sussurro and in most systems a much better cartridge and you would have had no problems with output. If you want to improve the performance of your system you have to move up the chain. I think the MSL does that nicely. Be patient and save up, that advice coming from an immediate gratification freak, but there you are. |