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Took the vinyl plunge - need advice

I just took the vinyl plunge with an older TT. The arm which came with the table is a SAEC 407/23 (high-ish mass). My pre is a Jadis JP80 with MM phono stage. Over time, I expect to purchase a low-output low-compliance MC cart and may end up with a different arm. To use a low-output MC cart with my pre I will need a step-up transformer or pre-pre (have not decided which philosophy appeals to me more so I will have to read more on the topic - suggestions of reading material are welcome!)

IN THE MEANTIME, I ask for suggestions for a not-too-expensive, respectably good MM cart (which would match the arm) to tide myself over for the next several weeks while I get my MC cart/arm/step-up ducks in a row.

Vinyl listening will mostly be jazz, vocal, and classical with the occasional P-Funk thrown in.

Thanks,
Travis
t_bone
celtic66
1,655 posts
 
Can you really go wrong with Grado? And they like higher mass arms.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
I agree with the Grado recommendation. A Grado model may not match certain aspects of resolution, "hyper"-detail or frequency extension of some other cartridges in its competitive price range, but overall it may well give a better balance of: natural midrange, accurate timbre and accurate reproduction of harmonic overtones, good soundstage reproduction and overall musicality. If you listen primarily to acoustic music and need a higher output cartridge, the balance of virtues that a Grado offers can be hard to beat.
kwh0971
1 posts
 
Check out www.mantra-audio.co.uk for the Goldring, you can get it for some like $160 or $170 with a trade in of any old cartridge.
colitas
150 posts
 
Hey T bone, Make my funk the P-Funk, I wants to get funked up! I will second the Grado recommendation! I just purchased a used Platinum here on Audiogon. I really love the bass that the Grado cartridges have. Great for when the Mothership comes down. Swing Down sweet chariot stop, an' let me ride!
t_bone OP
1,182 posts
 
Thanks all for your responses. My "in the meantime" may be rather shorter than I thought as I may have just gotten hold of a Benz Micro PP-1 MC phono stage (next 2 days will tell).

However, another "problem" has cropped up. My local audio store (in Tokyo) has just told me that the (J-shaped arm with removable headshell) SAEC 407/23 arm was "low effective mass" requiring a high compliance cart, in contradiction with what seems to be the "accepted view" over on archived AA threads.

Does anyone have an effective mass number for this tonearm? The specs I can find are as follows:
Nominal Length 311mm (321mm max)
Effective length 233mm (pivot to stylus tip)
Overhang 12mm
Combined cart/headshell weight 23.5-33.5g
Tracking Force: 0-2.5g

Can anyone tell me what compliance cartridge would work best with the 407/23 arm if I went directly for an MC?

Thanks in advance,
Travis
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