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What replacement cartridge for BSR Quanta 400?

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my Supratek Chenin preamp, and am looking to tune up my old BSR Quanta 400 turntable while I wait. I eventually plan to get a VPI TT, but until then, the BSR will have to do. It's in great shape, since I've been out of vinyl since the mid-80s (I know, shame on me!), and it's been in storage, but I think I'll replace the drive belt, and upgrade the stock cartridge (the one it had when I bought it way back in the late 70's). I can't wait to hear vinyl sounds coming from my Zu Druids. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding an appropriate replacement cartridge. I'm looking for something that's very good, but not out of line for the quality of the BSR. Thanks in advance.
ait

Showing 6 responses by ait

ait OP
480 posts
 
More info. The stock cartridge is an ADC QLM32MkIII, definitely a budget cartridge. Is a Moving Coil cartridge like the Denon 130 or 130R out of the question for this TT?
ait OP
480 posts
 
The Supratek preamp will be fine with a low output cartridge, it is designed for them. With that in mind, would you still recommend the high output?
ait OP
480 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to go with the Ortofon Super OM 40 ($239.00 at Jack's Music Factory).
ait OP
480 posts
 
Well now I'm totally confused. I've heard that MM is preferable for the BSR, but MC is needed for the Chenin. I guess I will keep looking at MC's - what I gather is that I need one with medium to high compliance, and output in the .25 - .8mV range.
ait OP
480 posts
 
OK, what about the Grado Statement Platinum? It is an MI type, not MC, but the output is 0.5mV (right in the Chenin's optimum range), it is fairly high compliance (20 CU), it is affordable ($300), it has an elliptical stylus, and it has gotten very good reviews. Sounds like a good fit considering I really don't want to buy a megabuck MC cartridge for this turntable.
ait OP
480 posts
 
OK. Based on the fact that it seems like the best bang-for-the-buck at $259.00, it is a true MC design, it has the correct compliance and an elliptical stylus, and the few reviews I've found have been good, I'm going with the Denon 301 MK 2 cartridge. Thanks to all who have helped me here, I've really learned a lot in the last 2 days!
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