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Cartridge Change

I have a Rega RP 3 Turntable with a Rega Exact 2 cartridge with around 300 hours on it. Was wondering if a Ortofon Bronze would be a step up or would I have to go the the Black to make a big difference. I could buy the Bronze today would be a couple of months before I could get the Black. I’m happy with the Exact just the table came with a Rega cartridge and when I upgraded I went with the Exact so I’ve never heard another cartridge. Want to stay with a MM cartridge when I do upgrade. Thanks for any input.
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Showing 2 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Try some classics, you will quickly realize what the true MM sound with classic high-end MM cartridge, not that modern MM.

The budget is ... ??
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Those Nagaoka with aluminum cantilever and bonded elliptical styli are not good. In your situation It’s like changing one to another without any serious upgrade in sound quality.

Cartridge is the most important part If you want to extract music from those black vinyl discs.

Your next cartridge can be significantly better, and even if it cost more it’s better to pay a bit more to get what you want (a better sound).

Look for the cartridges with advanced stylus profile (line contact type), make sure it’s "nude" stylus (not bonded). Lighter moving mass (stylus/cantilever) will give you a wider frequency response. The advanced stylus profile will give you less record wear and better quality. LineContact profile will serve you much longer than conical or elliptical.

In the past an MM cartridge could have a very nice cantilevers like Beryllium, Boron, Titanium ... and nude diamonds like MicroRidge. Today it is a rare option only for very expensive MM models.

This is basic recommendations.


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