You absolutely cannot go wrong with a Hana, EL, SL, or ML, since you have an appropriate step up device. I have also had A-T and Ortofons in that price range. I liked them both, for different reasons. The Ortofon had either greater detail or a more peaky high end, whichever way you want to look at it. I couldn't recommend it with a Klipsch or a Focal, but if your speakers have a fabric dome or are simply softer, it is a great match. The A-T was more neutral. In every sense of the word, good and bad. It tracked well wasn't overly bright, but it lacked any sense of excitement, or dynamics, it didn't 'draw me in' like the Ortofon or the Hana. It was utterly unobjectionable. Which is why I moved on.
Need some help picking my first MC Cartridge
I have recently purchased an Icon PS1 Mk II tube Phono Preamp. and was thinking of purchasing a seperate MC cartridge and head to interchange with my Nagoaka MP 300 MM cartridge, which I am very happy with. This is my first MC Cartridge so this is more of a chance to compare MC versus MM Cartridges. Some suggestions have been Denon 103 or the Hana Red, The Icon Preamp has a fixed MC load setting of 100 ohms. The Sansui SR 525 Direct Drive Turntable that I will be using has an interchangeable cartridge head, so VTA height, tracking weight, anti-skating adjustments may be required for each cartridge but should not take more than 20 minutes to adjust. I have read that some low output cartridges may be preferable to high output, but I am not sure how this matches up with the Icon Preamp. I am a little in the weeds here with the technical information when it comes to cartridges so be gentle.
My listening preference is more to the musical / warm vinyl side. Gear: Tube preamp, Class "A" amp , alternating with a tube Integrated, Wilson Benesch Square 2 Speakers, Rel Subs (x2). I split my listening about 50/50 Vinyl/Digital.
My Budget is up to $1500.00
Showing 2 responses by panzrwagn
@jasonbourne71 Wow, you're running an old-school, stiff MC in maybe the lowest mass tonearm ever. How's the bass? |