Just bought a turntable -

vmaxer

what is a good starter cartridge?? Here is the TT I got....any thoughts??good or bad:o

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1277296024

thsmith

Call Needle Doctor, tell that which TT you have and budget. They will give you some right choices based upon your TT.

Fongolio

Very nice table. To get into a moving coil on the cheap those Denon's can't be beat. You'll be very pleased if this is your first table.

hearingimpared

Nice snag Bro. If you've got a little coin to spend to really get that table singing try the Dynavector 10 x 5. You will be floored. However, they go for around $380.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge?sc=2&category=370

Pay no attention to the price listed in the link as you can get it for what I stated above or less. If you do get it, you won't be needing to upgrade the cartridge for a long, long time. It tracks like you wouldn't believe.

george daniel

congrats--beautiful turntable--let us know how is sounds in your riig.

Dawgfish

That's a nice table! I've heard nothing but good things about those vintage Micro Seiki tables. +1 on the Denon DL-160 cartridge. The Sure M97 is also not a bad starter cartridge that can be picked up for $70 in some places. Having owned both the Sure and Denon, I can say that I like the Denon much better and to me the addtional cost was well worth it.

vmaxer

Ok, I have started looking into this and there seems to be a bit more I need to know..:o

I use a Sunfire TGP 5 processor and it says if I use a moving coil cartridge that it has to be high output Is this okay or will I need a phono preamp??

tcrossma

The Denon DL-160 is a High Output MC cartridge. Not sure about the others listed.

vmaxer

hearingimpared wrote: »

Nice snag Bro. If you've got a little coin to spend to really get that table singing try the Dynavector 10 x 5. You will be floored. However, they go for around $380.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge?sc=2&category=370

Pay no attention to the price listed in the link as you can get it for what I stated above or less. If you do get it, you won't be needing to upgrade the cartridge for a long, long time. It tracks like you wouldn't believe.

Thanks, that sounds good. I haven't been able to find one for less than 430.00 ??? Where can I find one at the price you listed??

doctor r

The processor has a MM level phono input that will handle High Output Moving Coils (i.e. Denon DL-160 @ 1.6 millivolts (actually rumored to measure higher)) but not the Low Levels Moving Coils like the DL103. I second the DL160 for its price but the suggestion of the Dynavetor 10x5 is a great value for the dollar also.

hearingimpared

vmaxer wrote: »

Thanks, that sounds good. I haven't been able to find one for less than 430.00 ??? Where can I find one at the price you listed??

First off it is a high output moving coil cartridge, 5mv. Secondly, you can call all the distributors of the Dynavector line and haggle with them if you are so inclined. The thing to do in this case is call the dealer ask for their best price then go to the next expressing that you can get for $xx.xx at so and so and keep going until you get it down to price you are comfortable with. They sold for $380 new a couple of years back and I got one using the method above for $335.

I have seen used ones for as low as $200 but they are far and few between. Audigon, ebay, vinyl asylum etc. Google "used Dynavector 10 x 5 cartridges" and see what pops up.

The problem with buying used is that you have to get the seller to agree, in writing, that if there is anything wrong with it, you get you money back. Also get in writing if you can how many hours the seller has on the cartridge, maybe ask what kind of TT/tonearm combo he used.

ON the up side of buying used the cartridge and cantilever are usually already broken in so there is no waiting period of at least 35 hours where while waiting for it to loosen up you keep thinking you made a mistake because it usally will intermittently sound lousy until it does lossen up.

Good luck,
Joe

PS: I'll keep my eyes peeled for you.

Polkersince85

Congrats on the table. I have a DD-40, BL-51 and a BL-91L . They are good tables for the money. The Denon 160 or the Dynavector carts would work great. You need a clamp, too; such as the ClearAudio.

hearingimpared

Polkersince85 wrote: »

Congrats on the table. I have a DD-40, BL-51 and a BL-91L . They are good tables for the money. The Denon 160 or the Dynavector carts would work great. You need a clamp, too; such as the ClearAudio.

AMEN however not the Clearaudio Clear Clamp is it truely a POS! Get the Clearaudio Twister Clamp. You'll be stunned at the improvements it makes and is worth every penny of the $100 price tag.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps

Let me add that there are several dealers of this clamp so you should be able haggle down the price a bit. Google "Clearaudio Twister Clamp" and you'll get a list of all the dealers. TALK THEM DOWN!!!

vmaxer

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp...Anyone know about it?? Opinions on it please both the good and bad as I have 30 days to return if not happy:)

dkg999

I've always heard and read good things about the PS Audio phono pre, but no personal experience. The SimAudio LP3.5 is another great phono pre, and I do own one of those.

madmax

vmaxer wrote: »

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp...Anyone know about it?? Opinions on it please both the good and bad as I have 30 days to return if not happy:)

I think that is the best pre you will get for the price. Heard it on another system and it was awesome. Are you sure you have not done this before? Excellent choice!
madmax

Edit: I also recommended that same one to a friend a few months ago.

vmaxer

madmax wrote: »

I think that is the best pre you will get for the price. Heard it on another system and it was awesome. Are you sure you have not done this before? Excellent choice!
madmax

Edit: I also recommended that same one to a friend a few months ago.

Never before, but I read a lot here and can't recall any bad reviews on PS Audio... Got it for a great deal and have 30 days to return. I also like that it has a sub sonic filter and can be connected directly to an amp and has a remote control...:cool:

I meant to go easy into this, but reading here is directly connected to the wallet I think as I can't keep anything in mine if I spend any time here:eek:

hearingimpared

vmaxer wrote: »

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp...Anyone know about it?? Opinions on it please both the good and bad as I have 30 days to return if not happy:)

dkg999 wrote: »

I've always heard and read good things about the PS Audio phono pre, but no personal experience. The SimAudio LP3.5 is another great phono pre, and I do own one of those.

Like Doug, I've read lots of great stuff on the PS Audio phono pre but have no experience with. PS Audio does make some great gear and accessories. So with the 30 return policy I think you did good.:)

madmax

vmaxer wrote: »

I meant to go easy into this, but reading here is directly connected to the wallet I think as I can't keep anything in mine if I spend any time here:eek:

You might as well buy what you want because in the vinyl world you will end up buying it at some point anyway.
madmax

vmaxer

okay, I am still gathering needed items for this seup. I am now finding myself in need of 2 sets of cables, a set to the phono pre and from the phono pre to the processor.. What are some good and reasonable cables for this. I am leaning toward signal cable - http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionphono.html

Opinions please..suggestions:o

Currently using to old Onkyo turntable listening to Dire Straits frst LP.....:cool:

hearingimpared

vmaxer wrote: »

okay, I am still gathering needed items for this seup. I am now finding myself in need of 2 sets of cables, a set to the phono pre and from the phono pre to the processor.. What are some good and reasonable cables for this. I am leaning toward signal cable - http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionphono.html

Opinions please..suggestions:o

Currently using to old Onkyo turntable listening to Dire Straits frst LP.....:cool:

Signal Cable is a fine place to start Bro. Make sure you specify one set of PHONO cables and one set of ICs when you place your order.

vmaxer

hearingimpared wrote: »

Signal Cable is a fine place to start Bro. Make sure you specify one set of PHONO cables and one set of ICs when you place your order.

Okay, I am confused...what is the difference??

ben62670

hearingimpared wrote: »

AMEN however not the Clearaudio Clear Clamp is it truely a POS! Get the Clearaudio Twister Clamp. You'll be stunned at the improvements it makes and is worth every penny of the $100 price tag.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps

Let me add that there are several dealers of this clamp so you should be able haggle down the price a bit. Google "Clearaudio Twister Clamp" and you'll get a list of all the dealers. TALK THEM DOWN!!!

Ordered.

george daniel

madmax wrote: »

you might as well buy what you want because in the vinyl world you will end up buying it at some point anyway.
madmax

+1

hearingimpared

vmaxer wrote: »

Okay, I am confused...what is the difference??

A phono cable goes from your tonearm to your preamp or phono preamp. It is usually designed with a separate ground wire as well as a din type connector with five female jacks on it to fit into the bottom of your tonearm with the separate ground wire on the other end with a spade running along side two RCA connectors.

The IC's are for making line level connections for such things as going from a phono pre to preamp, preamp to amp etc etc. they have two male RCA connectors on each end and are grounded by the outer ring of the RCA connector.

Hope this helps,

Joe:)

Just to clarify further;

vmaxer wrote: »

okay, I am still gathering needed items for this seup. I am now finding myself in need of 2 sets of cables, a set to the phono pre and from the phono pre to the processor.. What are some good and reasonable cables for this. I am leaning toward signal cable - http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionphono.html

Opinions please..suggestions:o

Currently using to old Onkyo turntable listening to Dire Straits frst LP.....:cool:

"a set to the phono pre" would be the phono cable I described and "from the phono pre to the processor" would be the IC I described. If you're still fuzzy on the matter, PM me and I'll try to make it clearer through discussion there.

Polkersince85

The MA-505 arm on that table is just like mine. There are RCA jacks at the base of the tonearm. RCA ICs will work just fine.

vmaxer

Thanks all, Mine is like Polkersince85 has.:)

hearingimpared

Polkersince85 wrote: »

The MA-505 arm on that table is just like mine. There are RCA jacks at the base of the tonearm. RCA ICs will work just fine.

vmaxer wrote: »

Thanks all, Mine is like Polkersince85 has.:)

That's great, however do you just add a ground wire from the ground post there to the ground post on the phono pre. Also there are cables with the ground wire running along side made just for phono connectons like that. I believe they are shielded better due to the low voltage of the cartridge output.

Fongolio

vmaxer wrote: »

Okay, I am confused...what is the difference??

For all the IC's in my rig I'm using Ben's silver cables which, not even fully burned in sound great. But when I tried to use a pair for TT to pre I got a slight buzzing even with a ground wire on. A phono cable has proper shielding to prevent and external components causing interference or noise.

hearingimpared

Fongolio wrote: »

For all the IC's in my rig I'm using Ben's silver cables which, not even fully burned in sound great. But when I tried to use a pair for TT to pre I got a slight buzzing even with a ground wire on. A phono cable has proper shielding to prevent and external components causing interference or noise.

Not to mention the phono cables propensity to pick up RFI & EMI from radio stations and home electrical appliances, refridgerator motors come to mind due to what I noted above.

Ben's cables are great but we went round and round trying to get rid of the hum I got using his cables in my phono cable path. He made me a star quad cable which did in fact reduce the hum but never got rid of it. A lot had to do with the step-up xformer I was using in lieu of setting the gain higher in my phono pre.

george daniel

vmaxer wrote: »

Okay, I am confused...what is the difference??

"Phono" cables from the TT to the PS audio pre(it's an interference/shielding thing)I like the VPI phono cables in mine,,you can find them on A'gon reasonably priced,but they go fast,,I'm currently lookin for some Van den Hul "first ultimate" ,,BTW,,the PS Audio pre that you picked has been quite the rave and,according to the experts?(grain of salt),,has quite a nice upgrade/mod path.Seems as though you've assembled a very nice vinyl front end,,enjoy.