Do I Have the Wrong Cartridge?


I recently got back into playing vinyl on my Linn Axis (fully serviced), but needed a new cart. Since 80% of my listening is on an ARC CD3 and not knowing how often I’ll use the TT, I set a budget of only $300 on a MM and went to my local HiFi shop. They recommended a Rega Elys II.

Now to my problem...I listen to classical music and it sounds awful with this cart; strings and brass are harsh and music sounds thin overall. All my LPs are top class, pressed in Germany and Holland.
To test my TT, I played some Rock albums and they all sounded excellent; great dynamics, wide soundstaging. Records played were a wide variety; Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orch, Kraftwerk.

So I ask you, can a middle of the road cartridge like this Rega only sound good on a particular style of music? I was told this Rega was a good all-around cart and BTW, it’s non-returnable.

Looking for any explanation and advice.
Many thanks.
128x128lowrider57
Are your classical albums actually recorded in digital and then used to create an analog pressing. If so, and you are comparing to actual analog recorded rock albums, then you will be hearing the garbage digital creates. Most classical albums of the last 30 years were digitally recorded and mastered, so they should sound like crap.
Hi Lowrider,

What phono stage are you using? And how long is your phono cable? I'm wondering if load capacitance, which is affected by both of those things, could be a contributing factor. Rega doesn't seem to specify a load capacitance recommendation for the cartridge, but their own MM phono stage has a specified input capacitance of 100 pf, which can probably be assumed to be in the right ballpark in combination with typical phono cables and cable lengths.

Also, perhaps additional breakin is needed?

Best regards,
-- Al