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Tonearm/cartridge sugestions for an Oracle Delphi?

I have an Oracle Delphi mk II and I would like some advice regarding the selection of a new tonearm and cartridge.

I currently have a Grace 707 with Grace P9 cartridge and also a Sumiko Premier MMT with Sumiko Talisman S cartridge. Both arms appear to be in perfect condition, but I don't know the condition of the cartridges - I'll assume that since they are both fairly old models that they likely need replacing.

I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this - perhaps an used tonearm in the $400 range and a new cartridge in the $300 range. Can anyone provide some suggestions that would be suitable for this table?

Also, I may be looking at this wrong - perhaps I should be using one of the tonearms I have and just spending more on a cartridge. But I really have no clue as to the quality of the tonearms I have. Comments on what I have already would be welcome.

RLW
phydeaux

Showing 2 responses by twl

twl
3,251 posts
 
Your cartridges, if not worn out, are too old now to expect them to be at their best. Assuming proper care, the arms should be fine.

The Grace is a low mass design, which also lacks rigidity, due to the slim arm tube. It should be paired with a medium to high compliance cartridge for best results. I think a Goldring 1042 Gyger II would sound good in that arm.

The MMT arm is a medium mass, maybe even leaning towards the higher mass end if it is the "S" shape one. I like a Dynavector 10x4 MkII for that price range in this arm.
twl
3,251 posts
 
The OL Silver Tonearm is the best price/performance tonearm in audio today. If you get that at around $750, you won't be sorry. Look at www.originlive.com for all the dope on the Silver and their mods for the Rega arms. They also have some even higher end arms that I haven't heard that look really good too.
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