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Jelco SA-750D cartridges

I know there are other threads on this subject and there have been some useful suggestions for cartridges that are compatible with the SA-750D. Unfortunately, though, the conversation inevitably gravitates into what cartridges should theoretically work if we just knew the effective mass of the tonearm or that the fluid damping should allow the use of a wide range of cartridges.

Without wading back through the same old theoretical stuff, I would like to hear cartridge recommendations from people who are actually successfully using them, along with whatever tweaks may have been necessary to make them perform well (lighter headshell, etc.). It seems that the most recommended cartridge for this arm is one of the DL-103's, but am not thrilled with idea of a conical stylus. I would, however, consider one of the modified versions of the 103 with a different stylus shape, but I'm leaning away from moving coil.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone using moving iron or moving magnet models that work well with this arm. I like the idea of a user-replaceable stylus, but the Soundsmiths seem pretty interesting, too. Their reasoning for keeping the coil fixed and waving a light piece of iron in there seems like a good idea.

I would like to set an upper limit of $1000, but could push myself a little higher with good reason. By the way, I'm currently using a Heed Quasar preamp, but don't worry about that. That could easily change.

   
minkwelder

Showing 8 responses by minkwelder

minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
Thanks vegasears. I just put the AT-150MLX on my short list. From the reviews I've read, it sounds like a good choice.
LP gear is selling the 150SA cartridge at half the price of the 150MLX. Is the MLX body worth the added expense?  
minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
@bpoletti:

Thanks for the recommendations. I grew up with AT cartridges and need to shake my bias against them. My memory of the cheaper ones I used back in the day is thin, bright and veiled, but the Signets were excellent. I'll have to look more closely at the ones you suggested as well as the Lyra.

@chakster:


Thanks for the compendium of cartridge compliance knowledge. I'm a retired engineer, so the calculations aren't a concern. The problem lies with the conflicting data on the effective mass of this arm. Apparently, the Jelco people can't even agree on the correct figure.

The data sheet I have for the 750D lists the effective mass as 13.48 g, but there are numerous accounts online of people who have communications from Jelco listing the effective mass as high as 20 g. The source of the confusion is not clear so, rather than depend on questionable data, I thought that first-hand recommendations from people using the 750D would be the way to go.

Particularly enlightening is knowing that there is a way to test tonearm resonance without lab equipment. I didn't know that there is a "Hi-Fi Test LP" for this purpose. That is indeed a game changer.  

minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
@schubert


I listen mostly to rock, blues and jazz. No heavy metal, though, unless you consider Led Zeppelin to be heavy metal!

For rock, I lean more toward stuff like The Band, The Kinks, Jeff Beck, Warren Zevon, Little Feat, old Fleetwood Mac (before Buckingham/Nicks), Steely Dan, etc.

For blues I like Buddy Guy, Savoy Brown, Little Walter, John Mayall, Paul Butterfield and the like.

Jazz artists I like are Charles Lloyd, Les McCann, Eddie Harris, Herbie Hancock.

So far, the VM 740ML is doing an outstanding job on everything I've thrown at it. Missing is the random occurrence of distortion at certain vocal frequencies that I was getting from the Denon.   

minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
Thanks for the input, agrippa. I had actually begun sorting through the information and reviews on the AT VM line and trying to make sense of the different levels. I want to make sure I'm up to speed on the performance differences in the stylus shapes, particularly Microline and Line Contact. It's something I never gave a lot of thought to in the past.


One thing that concerns me a little are the reviews mentioning the upward tilt in the AT's high frequency response that can get somewhat shrill in some systems. I don't think anything in the rest of my system would do anything to exacerbate that, but it is something I'm particularly sensitive to.

I'm also considering either the 2m Bronze or Black, but leaning slightly to the AT VM's at this point.

I do think noromance makes a good point. As I move up the price ladder, there's a point where the additional expense would be better spent on a better arm.   


minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
@noromance:

Now ya really got me going, right in the middle of a big wave of upgrade-itis! I just replaced my W4S STP SE with a Backert Labs Rhumba 1.2 Extreme and it was a VERY good choice, indeed.

I'm seriously going to consider an arm change. What is it about the 850 that makes it such a leap forward?

@tomic601 

Thanks for the thumbs up on the Bronze. I think if I went the 2M route, I would go for the Bronze over the Black. I'm not sure the price difference would be justified.
minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
Thanks for steering me in that direction, agrippa. Probably the best AT I ever owned before this was the 120E. My memory tells me it was just OK, but my memory isn't what it used to be.

Since the 700 series bodies are the same, it also provides the option of SH or SLC stylii.
minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
Thanks for the advice, agrippa. I had to wonder how much different the SLC stylus could be and felt that paying almost twice as much to get it was probably not going to be a benefit in my system. I would probably upgrade my tonearm before experimenting with a stylus upgrade.

If I do upgrade the arm, I would probably want to step up to a better cartridge. I'll definitely put the ART9 on my short list.

Thanks to all for the great advice. 
minkwelder OP
256 posts
 
UPDATE:

I ended up buying an AT VM 740ML. I only have about 30 hours on it so far and I can't quit smiling. It is better than I thought it could be and works better in my system than the Denon DL-110.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great MM cartridge.
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