2. analog
  3. 1443441496

MC cartridges new vs. old

Hello,

In my analog source I have intalled a used Lyra Delos as replacement.

But, I was looking a new cartridge, and found two diferent options, a new and old MC cartridges:

a) New Lyra Dorian at 850 € (special dealer offer)
b) Little used (less 50 h) Spectral MCR Signature at 950 €

All I have read about Spectral is great but is a very low output cartridge (0,2 mV) that is apparently hard to drive and very sensible to setup. Is the first generation of Scantech, is an old but appears to be a great low output cartridge from all reviews from users...

Dorian is a new cartridge, more easy to drive (0,6 mV) and also sensible to setup, is the five generation of Scan Tech.... Jonathan Carr, the designer recomend last generation of cartridge in general...

The rest of analog components:

Wilson Benesch Circle TT
Wilson Benesch ACT 0.5 arm
EAR 834P phone

What are your opinion or election betwwen these two or another similar to the Spectral like Lyra Clavis DC...

Thank you for your opinions and help.

Kind Regards,
geropaa

Showing 3 responses by geropaa

geropaa OP
3 posts
 
You are right Mofimadness, I changed the names of cartridges, I have a Dorian and my question is about Delos a modern cartridge.

And yes, you are also right about Mr. Carr says that the new generation of cartridge are his best ever.
From your words this is a fact between Dorian and newest Delos, my question is between an older cartridges which I don´t know if was designed by Mr. Carr and have really diferent especifications...

But anyway, thank you a lot for your help, in anycase I think the new is better bet, new and cheap, most important is that I try do a good setup of the cartridge.

Thank´s
geropaa OP
3 posts
 
Hi Frogman,
I am interested in one question about the time you have the Spectral and the EAR 834P,... Do you remember the arm you have in the turntable?

I have the Wilson Benesch ACT 0.5, a 9 gr mass arm... and I am not sure about compliance of cartrige is right.

I am happy with you words about Spectral because I have, in fact interest in it, but I am not sure is right decisión to waste more money in an "special" used cartridge than in a new good cartridge.... it could be a nonsense but I have something similar a "good feeling" with these "old" cartridge...

Anyway,... is a pleasure read all of you.

Thank you again
geropaa OP
3 posts
 
Frogman, thank you for your answer. Finally ask to Wilson Benesch about compatibility and they answer me that probably there is no resonance problems with these cartridge due to design of the arm...
"The ACT 0.5 tonearm is very highly damped due to the material used and the geometric shape of the arm, resonance in the audible range should not be an issue, but I would advise trying the combination if possible before committing financially if you are unsure"

In other hand, my EAR 834P have MM/MC switch as you suppose, then it´s compatible with the Spectral output from your experience. It use a integrated amplifier Cary SLI80, no preamp.

Thank you all for your help.
More to discover