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Looking for a new cartridge (and maybe phono stage) for my Rega RB808

Hello Agoners! I have a conundrum that I’m hoping you can help me resolve. I’ve owned a Rega P3 for a number of years now, which has seen several modifications...each of which has improved the listening experience to various degrees. I’m now at a place where I’d like to step up to a more exotic cartridge and have narrowed down my choices to a small handful. This is where I need some advice!

:)

The P3 has turned into something else over the years. Its got a Groovetracer Reference subplatter, the Rega 24v motor, and...most recently a RB808 tonearm. Prior to the new tonearm I was using an Incognito-wired RB300 with a Benz Micro MC Silver.

My phono stage (currently) is a modified Acurus P10. A while back I had it upgraded with an external PSU, chunkier rectifier diodes, and several capacitors replaced with more exotic versions (Black Gate, Elna SILMIC). These little modifications made a noticeable improvement and I’ve been happy with this phono stage. I’m not wedded to it though, and replacing it may open up my choices of cartridge. It’s gain setting tops out at 57db. So any suggestions for a good MC preamp are welcome.

These are the carts I’m considering:

*Benz Glider (with MicroRidge stylus)
Hana SL
Shelter 501

*I’ve wanted one of these for a long time, but it’s been discontinued and maybe a newer design is better”?

Where I start to gloss over is when I start reading about compliance and effective tonearm mass, etc. I think my RB808 has a mass of 10g. That being said...are any of these cartridges off the menu? I will greatly value the community’s input!
boy412

Showing 3 responses by boy412

boy412's avatar
boy412 OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for that reply! That all resonates with me.

:)

I have no qualms with buying a cartridge online, or even used for that matter. Thankfully you can still find “new” Gliders out there. There are a couple here in the classifieds in fact!

In terms of output level I need to figure out what is going to work best with my preamp (or decide to replace it with something more flexible). The highest gain setting I have is 57db, and that is at the lower end of what is acceptable for a low output MC. I guess a medium or high output cartridge would be OK. I really liked the MC Silver I had! But my goal is to get something more revealing, and my understanding is that a low output cartridge is more...capable?
boy412's avatar
boy412 OP
5 posts
 
@solypsa Thanks for the post!  My RB300 had a way to adjust VTA (Incognito EzRider) but this new arm does not. I don't have shims for it either, but I've been thinking I should have some for this eventuality.

I'm not familiar with Sensitive Sound cartridges. I'll look into them!

;)

boy412's avatar
boy412 OP
5 posts
 

I realize that by now this is a pretty old thread but I wanted to post back here about what I ended up doing!

I replaced my phono stage with a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS (still on the hunt for a Power Box for it) and ended up choosing an Ortofon 2M Black to try (got an amazing deal on it).

This sounds nice to me, although I’m very curious about stepping up (no pun intended) to a LOMC cartridge.

I’m waiting for delivery of a Rogue Cronus “Dark” integrated amp and a pair of Magnepan 1.7x speakers which I recently fell in love with. I’m very curious to see how its integrated phono stage compares to the Pro-Ject Phono Box! 

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