2. analog
  3. 191646-118844

Time for a new cartridge

My current cartridge which is a Van Den Hul DDTII Special MC is starting to lose it's zing. Details are not as sharp as they were and overall I think I'd like something fresh. My tt is a VPI Prime with the 10" JMW Memorial tonearm. My phono stage is a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Vinyl. My amp is a McIntosh MA8950 integrated. My speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona M. I have 2 KEF R400B subs, which I think compliment the Cremona's. I've emailed VDH and they said they would do a re tip and get it back to where it was, but I'm thinking maybe it's time for a different sound. With the info I've provided I'd like some alternatives. My budget is around $2500.

128x128chasda
pratorious
126 posts
 

I would still send your cartridge to VdH but ALSO try something else. My recommendation is a Vas Nova and you can upgrade the standard to better cantilever and stylus if you desire. Harry from VPI recommends.

vinylshadow
490 posts
 

@drvinyl01 

Yeah. That sounds fishy and I've not read that about the deviation in any review I've read.

Esp not with the Grand Master cartridge.

chasda's avatar
chasda OP
64 posts
 

Thank you all for your responses. After taking all your suggestions into account, I'm first going to send my cartridge back to VDH for a rebuild. I have a vintage Denon with an Ortofon Bronze as my back up. While that's going on, I'm going to do some shopping with some of your suggestions. After all, it's always good to have options. Thanks for your feedback.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 

Send it to Soundsmith for evaluation....He'll bring it back

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

If your Cart's 'ZING' floats your boat.

Then why look elsewhere, it might just need to be reintroduced through a additional attention.

The Cart' can be inspected for suitability for being overhauled.

A Typical Overhaul inclusive of shipping is usually under $500

At 1000 hours of replays as a predicted life before the 'ZING' issue manifests once more, the replays will be approx' $00.50c per hour.

50c a Replay is to myself Bargainsville.

Seems attractive compared to entering the unknown at a replay cost of appro' $3.00 per hour.  

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