2. analog
  3. 131680-36853

Cartridge under $600 for VAC VPI HW

Hey, needing help upgrading my cartridge on my VPI HW-19 MkIII running through a VAC Sig Mkii preamp.

Value most of all a wide and deep 3D soundstage and natural rather than hyper detailed.  Like subtle, not aggressive sound.  Listen to instrumental music almost exclusively, rather than vocals.  

Not an expert setting up carts, and so thinking elliptical design and other features that a novice like me can set up.  VPI has AQ PT-9 arm and have only used Grado carts in the past; MCZ,  TLZ currently on it.

Any suggestions that fit my taste and budget would be appreciated.
nazuk

Showing 2 responses by inna

inna
7,923 posts
 
chakster, I don't question either your expertise or your hearing. Even without understanding a thing about cartridges, like you I would not buy that Italian cartridge based on those specifications. If I could audition it before buying that might be different.
As for longing for the golden age of analog, I think most of us have it.
I like tape,vinyl is close to it, so yeah..
inna
7,923 posts
 
As someone who is neutral in this vintage/modern debate, I can observe that some advocates of the vintage are often a little agggressive and uncompromising in their opinions. One thing to say is, as an example, that many vintage MM cartridges are much better than most or even all modern MM, and another to call all modern MMs inferior or junk. Perhaps unintentionally, it si close to calling those who use or consider using modern MM uneducated imbeciles.
Not very nice and in many case wrong.
Another point is that vintage, whatever it is, is not for everyone. One should be an expert when choosing, know places to service and fix them, and other considerations.
The Goldring 1042 that I've been using has been made for decades, I think, though it is not vintage in a full sense of the word.
This makes me half-imbecil, I guess.
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