Cartridge and stylus upgrade help
TNHNDYMAN
Posts: 2,145
Looking for the turntable experts. I am currently using a Kenwood KD-9XB turntable dating from the mid 80's that was given to me by my uncle. It is in like new shape but was probably only a mediocre TT even when new. The stylus was broken when I first got it, so I did some googling and found this needle online thru ebay and have been using it with ok results.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350315473948
Could anyone recommend a better cartridge and or stylus that would work with this TT for a budget of up to $100. Would it be worth the upgrade or am I just wasting my time and should I wait till I can afford a better TT which I hope to do but probably not for at least another year.
Another ? is while I have been looking at some older vintage gear, I've noticed some amps have multiple phono inputs with some labeled for MM and some for ceramic as well as the ability to choose different settings depending on different cartridge's specs. I don't understand the differences and would like some input as to any recommended web sites, forums, or books to help me understand some of the specs in reguards to turntables and stylus's in general.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350315473948
Could anyone recommend a better cartridge and or stylus that would work with this TT for a budget of up to $100. Would it be worth the upgrade or am I just wasting my time and should I wait till I can afford a better TT which I hope to do but probably not for at least another year.
Another ? is while I have been looking at some older vintage gear, I've noticed some amps have multiple phono inputs with some labeled for MM and some for ceramic as well as the ability to choose different settings depending on different cartridge's specs. I don't understand the differences and would like some input as to any recommended web sites, forums, or books to help me understand some of the specs in reguards to turntables and stylus's in general.
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
Post edited by TNHNDYMAN on
Comments
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As far as cartridges go, the Sure MX97E is in your budget and is a great budget cartridge. I say get a cart and try the turntable. For what you've got into it, what do you have to lose? As far as sites to get turntable knowledge, CP is always great. Other good ones are Vinyl Asylum, The Needle Doctor web site, KAB USA, and LPGear. The later three are dealers, but they have very helpful staffs that you can call and get all kinds of great advise from.
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Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs -
The Shure listed above is excellent for the price and so is the Ortofon 2M red.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-CartridgeSDA-1C (full mods)
Carver TFM-55
NAD 1130 Pre-amp
Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
The Clamp
Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
Ben's IC's
Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM -
Grado Black or Green are very good less expensive options...Don't forget to enjoy the music...
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Ortofon Red. Widely considered one of the best $ 100 carts. you will find anywhere.
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Thank you for the suggestions everyone. The Ortofon Red does look pretty nice. As I stated in original post, I did replace the stylus when I first got the TT and that was pretty easy, but I'm not so sure about how to remove the whole cart from the tonearm as well as all that is involved in using a protractor to align the cart all of that would be a first for me to attempt. Most of the pictures I'm seeing w/ these carts seem to go on the curved style tonearms not a straight one like I have with this linear tracking TT. Here is a couple of pics... does anyone see any problems with either the sure or the ortofon being compatible. I will probably give the folks at needle dr a call and talk to them as well. Next ? From my sig you can see I'm using an vintage Pioneer amp for most of my 2 ch listening, but I also have a Denon 890 AVR with phono input.. of the two would most of you go with the built in phono inputs for now or do you recommend upgrading to a phono pre and then connecting via aux or line in input? Thanks for the time and advice. Travis2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
