Top cartridge for vintage 45s "7inch vinyl


this is my first post on audiogon forum, but i do read this forum pretty much, hello :)

well, the question is what is the best cartridge for vintage 45s (circa 60s-70s) , those records (singles) are often recorded pretty bad (at leas some of them comes from independent labels, privat presses with no budget for a proper studio recording session), but many of them sound fantastic (really good). Talking about Jazz, Soul, Funk and Latin music.

Being a collector myself i have many of them (along with LPs).

Once i came across Technics EPC-102SP cartridge, seller told me it was designed to play 45s on radio broadcast studios etc. I couldn't find any info about this cartridge. but i saw one on japanese site (but it was in 78rpm set up) - http://audiooyazi.exblog.jp/d2009-11-21

Someone told me this cart can play both (45s/78s), but i've never seen it on 45s.

ANYONE CAN TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TECHNICS EPC-102SP ?

Personally i use two Technics 205cmk3 (with both Jico SAS and original Technics stylus) and i like the sound of this MM cart. on my modified SL1210 (with Kab fluid tonearm damper, Cardas tonearm wires, Zu Mission Phono cables, Isonoe Footers).

Compared to 205cmk3 the EPC-102SP cartridge looks shorter (they are both dead mounted on headshell). Why the "SP" cartridge is shorter ??

Apart from this Technics cartridge can anyone recommend me something that can beat my Technics 205cmk3 with vintage 45s ??

I was thinking to try Denon DL107A or some other Broadcast carts. Am i going to the right direction ? )) I believe broadcast carts must be designed to play 45s (singles) as a main format. Anyone ??

I use Grado PH-1 phono preamp, WLM Minueta Tube Class A (in triod mode) , Stereovox Colibri interconnects, OCOS speaker cables (2 in paralles run), full range Zu Druid MK4 (upgraded with latest Definition MK4 nano Drivers)
128x128chakster
I've always been tempted to go flea-powered but the ESLs need P-P. The one thing that brings out all the magic in my system—and it’s very highly tuned such that every component works in harmony—is my modified Croft tube phono amp. The Deccas just sing with bulk foil resistors and tubes. I’d be hard-pressed to go solid state!
Well, First Watt is not a typical solid state, especially SIT:

"The SIT-2 is the first of a new generation of power amplifiers using Static Induction Transistors (SIT) in single-stage, single-ended Class A circuits delivering superlative sound without feedback or degeneration. This is made possible by the unique characteristic of First Watt’s custom SIT devices, which combines a square-law input character with a low impedance output to form the only solid state gain device which behaves like a Triode tube. This character has long been sought as a potential replacement for tubes, but the realized devices have several advantages. The Pass SIT device has higher gain and lower distortion and also conveniently operates at the voltages and currents required by loudspeakers. This means that an output transformer, with all its bandwidth and distortion limitations is eliminated." -firstwatt.com

I have the Red Wine Audio 30.2 in my second system as well -  did you manage to get one chakster ?

my Beogram 8002  ( have both the MMC1 cart  and Soundsmith SMMC2)  is connected to a very nice Graham Slee Accession MM Phono amp that I bought 5 years ago, and some nice interconnects into the RWA 30.2

now have a very pleasant and simple vinyl playback system that even my children can use and very happy that it did not cost me the earth :-)