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Cheap cart confession

I'm in the forced audio gear buy mode, since my $2500 retail cart isn't being honored by warranty. No emergency decent cart to use. I was able to purchase it as a "once on a lifetime" dealer buy.

Meanwhile, just for kicks...

Ortofon OM5. It's been in a drawer for years. $50 plasticky,throw away replacing a $2500 machined aluminum body cartridge  that came in an equally attractive, nice smelling wooden box. My table setup/phono pre was $6-7Kish when new?

I'm being reminded by what I hear. If everything AFTER the cart is in reasonable order(synergy?) even a throw away cart will play the magic! It may be veiled,a little mushy and such, but I can still enjoy it more than my  CD deck thru a R2R DAC. It's very clean and precise, but it doesn't have the unexplainable, hold my attention for long quality.

Because my disposable play money is divided into a few thing outside of audio crap, I'm going backward with the next cartridge. I just can't wait and save for something substantial. Thank goodness my ears/brain can accept the horror!

I purchased an already marked down+ additional discount  low end model that I think will perform great(for the price) 

Under $400 Nirvana! Should have it on the table by mid week. 

tablejockey
17 responses Add your response
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
I've been able to squeeze in some album sides, since installing the mighty Otello.

The weak areas I initially found noticeable, have improved a bit with adjustments and play time.

As  mentioned, I hear the mid band being MUCH closer to my previous reference than the humble $50 Orto. Very engaging, believable tone.

The last bit of detail to cymbal crashes is veiled, yet acceptable in R&R albums. Old recordings of straight ahead acoustic Jazz and Classical  sound very good.

Vocals, on a good recording are "there" with just a little less presence. 

The bass not does having the impact of a pricier cart. Turning the sub up a notch helps, along with tube rolling in my setup. It Just doesn't replace a finer cartridge.

Three thumbs up for the $399 Soundsmith Otello.


boxer12
8,656 posts
 
+1 tablejockey 
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
boxer12-

I don't hear any exaggerated sibalance.

A go to test track I like is off a1958 mono press of Julie Londons "Julie is her name." "Laura"is performed with only  Julie, the great Barney Kessel on guitar, and the bass player. The Otello puts Julie "in the room."

Still early, but so far i'm pleased, even though I likely don't have the cart optimized. 

R&R was tested with some busy prog-Yes and King Crimson. Having the reference sound in my head, not bad. Blasted "I've Seen All Good People" and "In the Court of the Krimson King" with no concerns. 

The mids, thru my system and ears, appear to be the Otello's strong suit.

The Otello is performing beyond expectations.

boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Any issues with the s's being exaggerated on the Otello? 
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
I’m happy to report the Soundsmith Otello is performing as expected.

I have the current, new body design. Definitely nicer looking than the previous model. Looks like a pricier cart.

Just a few album sides in, and minimal fuss, easily heard improvement over the $50 Orto. Very easy setup.

This review was helpful, and my findings are similar.
https://www.eliteaudiouk.com/single-post/2018/02/26/SoundSmith-Otello-Review-in-HiFi-Choice

I was able to compensate for the reported weak bass, with a little tube swapping in the main amp. Mids are quite nice, highs are more controlled, more convincing.

The performance gap is noticeably smaller comparing the Orto, and my personal "reference" I’m hoping for a little more improvement as it settles in, and maybe a week or so, I will revisit adjustments.

I think I like the presentation more than the similar priced AT OC9II which I think is also nice for the price. Very relaxed, but not sloppy as the Orto can be.

By all accounts, the Otello will hold my attention until I’m ready to pony up to the bar again.

As always YMMV.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Ortofon OM5. 

If you like Ortofon try the M20 FL SUPER that was one of the cheapest among cartridges of the month in MM thread on a'gon years ago. I don't have a cartridge anymore, a friend is happy with it, but i still have NOS nude Fine Line stylus for it. Cartridge generator without stylus is cheap.

Another killer option for you could be Stanton and Pickering cartridges like 881s mkII or XSV3000 , both with nude Stereohedron diamonds like this.  

Don't know what's your limit to call it cheap, normally under $350 is cheap for a decent MM. Glanz moving flux cartridges often on ebay for under $450 (the best of them is 610LX). But if you're in the States then definitely look for Stanton 881 or 981 (or Pickering XSV3000 or higher). 

P.S. When you retip the ART-9 with SS it is no longer ART-9. 
He could upgrade Denon 103 with his best diamonds and/or cantilever, but the ART-9 is not the case. 



jond's avatar
jond
5,857 posts
 
Zu puts a new body made of machined aluminum on the Denon in place of the original plastic body.
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
Does anyone know what ZU does to modify the Denon cartridges they offer?
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
stereo5-

Thanks  for the suggestion. I had a Sumiko Blackbird repaired by SS year ago.
I forgot SS isn't the only game in town.

I'm really hoping my ART 9 is salvageable. I'm done with $1K+ carts for awhile.
They sound wonderful, but as mentioned earlier, my system is finally at a point it will  allow an inexpensive cart to shine.

boxer12-it's internal. The stylus is fine. It was a one time, sale final kinda thing.
Its a shame, I REALLY enjoyed it. A nice slice of what the fuss is all about.
big_greg
6,658 posts
 
I wanted to set up one of the two turntables in my main system with an inexpensive cartridge for used records.  I bought a Shure V15 Type 4 with a broken stylus off ebay, a JICO SAS replacement stylus, and some capacitance loading plugs to tame the brightness of the V15 and I'm pretty happy with the results.  All in it was about $390 and I'm really pleased with the sound.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,427 posts
 
Call Andy at the Needle Clinic.  He replaced a cantilever and stylus on my ZU DL103 cartridge for half the price of what Soundsmith  wanted. He also returned within a week.  I am one extremely satisfied customer.  
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
DENON 103-I'm limited to something @ .3/4 mv at best. I don't want to bother with a step up. Considered the Hana.

I went Soundsmith, just to try MI in my system. I've heard them demoed by Peter. Very nice. Entry level Otello on the cheap. I'm expecting good results.

If I had a no holds barred setup, I would have the Strain gauge setup.  Im done being obsessed with chasing perfection I can't afford. Just listening to the actual music these days. Get it to an acceptable level-sit back with a beer.

I have a crashed ART9 I need to send off to SS for evaluation. Perhaps next tax return I will treat my self to another ART9 or go up the food chain with SS?

ANY armchair cartridge gurus here? Expand at the attached pic of the ART9.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATART9.html

The cantilever assembly is completely gone on mine-not broken. If you notice in the picture,  it appears the cantilever is fitted into a sleeve assembly?I see an empty sleeve, as if the cantilever simply were pulled clean from the sleeve. Would this indicate a cantilever replacement? I know a typical snapped cantilever is fixed with a new one just glued on the stub. I'm wondering if a cantilever assembly can be inserted back into the sleeve, effectively making the cart "like new?" 




roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
The Denon 103 mc cartridges are still the best value in the sub-$500 category! Go a but higher and there are the Hana MC's. And the various Grado MI's have long been another good alternative.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Not surprised... What the more expensive carts offer (not all though) is greater refinement. If you're interested in experimenting with some older MM/MI's, the "raul" thread has some great suggestions in it. Have you thought about re-tipping the $2500 cart? May not be as expensive as a replacement, especially if you liked it. 
tablejockey OP
3,922 posts
 
Meaning it's beyond warranty=gottta have a replacement. 
Just surprised I like hearing even the least expensive cart enough over the CD's.
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
I'm confused. The one time $2500 "dealer buy" cartridge needs work and the company will not honor warranty. Will they fix it for a fee? I'm a little confused
jond's avatar
jond
5,857 posts
 
@tablejockey I have nothing to add other than I read this post last week, :D
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