Phono stage and Cartridge for Technics 1210 GR

I just ordered the iFi for my office, due here this coming Friday.

I'll plug it into my main system downstairs first, listen to MM and MC

then upstairs to my office, MM now, 3 easy loading options for future MC.

easy to return, I think you need to have return option for any phono stage you try.

CARTRIDGE:

Stylus Shapes

Advanced stylus shapes are best. (microline, microlinear, SAS, Shibata ...). They cost more, however they have longer life, so not too expensive in the long run.

https://sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

For MM, replaceable stylus, any phono stage, I recommend this one:

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm750sh

Wide 30db channel separation, tight 1.0 db channel balance are both advantages for imaging

For MC Moving Coil, fixed stylus, higher initial cost, higher replacement cost, and extra mc amplification cost:

My first MC moving coil cartridge, I researched, asked advice, charts, circles and arrows and decided to try one. I am very glad I did, my cartridge choice:

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/at33-series/at33ptg-2

It sounds great, very involving musically, and it’s wide separation and tight center balance are the factors that make it preferable to my Shure V15VxMR with a new Jico SAS stylus.

saved $100. via eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-new-Audio-Technica-MC-Cartridge-AT33PTG-II-AT-33-PTG-II/264129989611?...

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PNONO STAGE:

I had a phono stage I liked, so I used a SUT step up transformer, to get the small MC signal up to MM signal strength. Love it.

For you, I suggest starting with a MM cartridge, and get a phono stage that has both MM and MC. Many of these exist, however, they only have 1 internal load for an unknown future MC cartridge.

I advise a VERSATILE Phono Stage: MM and MC section with a few options.

I just found this one, I think I will order it for my office, which will add MC capability to my TT there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H2GPD7F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2H1DLE1VLYNIR&psc=1

youtube review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBAdLY3Upbo

in his video he mentions their iPhono3, extremely versatile, but $1,000.

https://www.amazon.com/iFi-Phonostage-Preamplifier-Compatible-Cartridges/dp/B088SSSTPD

Like I said, it’s fun learning about stuff, evidently they have been around, check out their product line:

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-phono/

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I found a few other VERSATILE MM/MC phono stages, posted them here

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/upgraded-turntable-is-my-current-setup-sufficient

aberyclark

I have the earlier AT440ml. I thought the 540 was it's direct successor,

however, based on my listening, and imaging comparisons related to channel separation and balance, I decided, in OP's budget, to recommend the VM750SH instead.

my 440ml is sep 30 db; bal .75 db
VM540ml  is sep 28 d; bal 1.0 db

VM750SH is sep 30db (ml version 28 db)

My Shure, AT440, and AT33/PTG/II all are musically involving, but both AT's tighter center, and more distinctly positioned players, i.e. bass player here, trumpet there, on superior recordings is more apparent (not necessarily full width, individual distinction) 

Nice looking setup

I looked at your photo, and then went to OEM site. Your tweeters are to the outside, and they show them on the outside on their site.

I was trained to put the tweeter on the inside due to tweeter's narrower angle of dispersion. 

Also, I would toe them in just a bit, to avoid dispersion parallel to right side wall.

I'm sure we will learn something from Lou's response.

I didn’t say so, however, in my office, with bookshelf speakers horizontally at seated ear level, on shelves at he sides and 4 feet beyond my monitor, they sound better with the tweeters to the outside. It’s always good to try this type of thing. I have a perfect listening triangle here, B&W bookshelf with a 12" sub, my office system is a real pleasure, I have streaming, TT and Reel to Reel more active than ever up here. 

My left side bookshelf speaker is against a wall, like your right side speaker, but I cannot toe them in. I had to adjust the balance a bit to get the image centered properly on the monitor’s image.

I’m a big fan of remote balance from listening position, main system and here. Permanent slight fix in the office, just occasional tweaking for specific tracks/recordings in main system. A slight balance adjustment can make a significant difference.