VPI Classic Cartridge Help


Soon I will be purchasing a VPI Classic and an considering Cart choices. I would like to stick with a $5-700 price range initially. My current rig is a Rega Planar 2 with Ortofon Blue. I purchase a lot of used records at used record stores, thrift stores, etc and wondered about playing these records with a more expensive cartridge. I clean with a VPI RCM but am concerned about beating up a good cart. with "rough" records that have some scratches. Is there any particular cart or stylus type that I should consider? I wanted to order the VPI with the cart installed at the factory and have it checked by the dealer- I think that narrows the choice of cart. manufacturers.

The rest of my system: B&W 802D, Spectron amp, Cary SLP03 Preamp.
stl114_nj

Showing 1 response by chazzbo

Dynavector over Shelter unless you want a "tipped up" bottom and top end.The Sumiko is good at that price too.Benz I am not sure at the price point.One thing you might consider if your a heavy original jazz collector or buying the mono 45 rpm re-issues is getting a mono cart and having it do the duty for beaters.For me that works and Grado Sonata while not last word in resolution can be gotten in mono.Trying to think of others in that price range (if I could swing it I would have a mono Lyra Helikon myself but that's 4 times price).Get the Dyna.If you could swing it Karat 17D would be great but it is pretty delicate.Another shot would be cheap Denon DL103 a perennial budget champ and then save for a Cart in $750 to $1500 (or twice that) to match the rest of your system which would be my choice for clean LP's.It's the cart and good stage that will give you most sound quality.Depends on how much wax your gonna play clean but that a damn fine system and a fine deck your getting.Cheap for beaters and latter an extra 10.5 arm tube and cart.Gotta lay off the espresso on days off.
Chazzz