2. analog
  3. 174780-34443

High end cartridge

I post similar question in other forum, but didn’t get help I need.


I want buy high end cartridge to replace my old one, I have very little experience with cartridges, only entry level of Ortofon, Denon, and Shelter, the last two brands I didn’t like them. So I like ask folks here who have great experience with cartridges, and with VPI FB Gimbal tonearm.

 

I’m concern very much about SQ differentials, I like full body sound, live, punch, authority, and neutral. My first choice will be Ortofon Cadenza black, but before go for it, I want check other brands for better alternative.

 

I see many people go for Lyra or Dynavector, I’m aware they are high end, but I have doubt the sound charastric of these cartridges not close to what I want, but more similar to Denon, and Shelter.

 

I wonder if my assumptions are correct?

 

And about Soundsmith, Benz, Van Den Hul, how good are these? And compare to Ortofon?

 

And will be other brands worth to check?

 

Thanks to all.

knight7m
alan60's avatar
alan60
165 posts
 

Ortofon SPU Royal N, you don't need to spend Megabucks, this gives you all you want in spades full, your arm needs to be relatively massy though. This replaced a EMT JSD VM, I know others have replaced Kondo IOM with this and are not regretting it.

wolf_garcia
6,631 posts
 

Ortofon Quintet Blue MC. Superb for 500 bucks.

knight7m OP
17 posts
 

Thank all for great and wealthy feedbacks, im very grateful to all, indeed incredibly helpful.

I didn’t mention rest of my gear because I thought not significant. My PP is: Whest P.S 30 RDT SE. TT: VPI Signature 21, and AQ Well Signature interconnect. Rest gear is Krell.

Cart budget: honestly I’m not planning more than $3000. And I’m always worry about the cost of retipping, prices are insane, so I’m looking for retipp friendly as well. SoundSmith is great option.

Someone here said my understood of the Lyra and Dynavector SQ is false! Well, I didn’t said anything against them, because I never listened to them! I’m just hesitate to jump any more toward Japanese Cart. Because when I listened to Denon DL-304 and Shelter 9000, I become hugely disappointed! For one part, incredibly lovely, sound clear (far from muffle), and have both extremes extensions particularly upper. But surprisingly (at least to me) both share similar sound charastric, very thin and lack full body, like Ortofon, which I really prefer. I just get feeling that all Japanese made (including Lyra and Dynavector) “might” share similar sound charastric.

On the other hand, Ortofon (entry level like Red Rondo) has one issue, its bit unemotional. Is Ortofon upper series better in this? That I don’t know, Otherwise I don’t need to look for something else.

Grado seems good choice, anyone like tell me how it sound?

Thanks.

 

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,017 posts
 

The Hana EL is one helluva cartridge for the money. $475

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
632 posts
 

Van Den Hul cartridges are superb. Very neutral, spacious and natural sounding. The Frog is a particular sweet spot in the range. Hanas are also excellent - and start at very affordable prices. On the affordable front also is the evergreen Denon DL - 103 - not the last word in detail, but punchy.

VdH cartridges track at around 1.5g, have a very long stylus life and can be affordably retipped/rebuilt. Those are factors when one considers the cost per play of any cartridge.

You don't say what phono stage you will be using - the cartridge and phono stage are effectively a system, and should really be considered together.

More to discover