MC cartridge

soundfreak1

Looking to upgrade my cart (see sig.) Wanting a Denon 301 or better or comperable MC cartridge. Anyone got one laying around???

DollarDave

I've got an audio technica at30e that I have about an hour on. If that's of your liking, hit me up with a PM.

soundfreak1

Have no experience with that cart. As far as "house sound" goes what are its characteristics. Looking for very acurate punchy base and smooth clean mids and highs. The phono pre is provided by my Perreaux SA 33 class A Preamp. Currently using a Denon dl110 on a SL 700 technics TT with new caps (motor board) and rewired with audioquest wire.

nooshinjohn

Dynavector 20x2 HO... Nice but a tad too analytical for me.

DollarDave

@mhardy6647 - How does an Audio Technica at30e compare in sound to the Denon?

soundfreak1

I am wanting a lomc.

george daniel

Have you considered a Denon 103R? You can get em new for less than 400 dollars,,pretty goor bang for the buck if it is comparable with your tonearm.I had one and enjoyed it immensely.

soundfreak1

Looking to jump a little further that that.

george daniel

What tt do you have?

soundfreak1

I have a redone sl 1700 technics ( all new caps on motor board, all new tonearm wire (audioquest) dynamat under plenth, plus complete service)

george daniel

Sumiko maybe?

soundfreak1

Looking at least 301II denon (250/350ish) or willing to go to 500. For much better or considering spending same 500 for used higher end phono pre. Just not sure how far up the "food chain" on the phono pre I have to go to improve over the pre that's in my Perreaux SA33 Preamp.

george daniel

Good luck in your quest,, I currently have a dyna xl 20 Lo thru a Cinemag SUT a and a Cornet II phono pre,compliments of Scomp via Carl,, when it was in for retipping, I bought a Denon 103r and was very pleased.Good luck in your search!

soundfreak1

That 103r is no slouch from what I've read, just the price to go a bit further isn't that much different. The prob is the higher I seem to look, it gets "murky" with so many choise's and models to pick from.

soundfreak1

George do you use the dyna or the denon for critical listening?

george daniel

soundfreak1 wrote: »

George do you use the dyna or the denon for critical listening?

I use the Dyna,,, but there was something about the Denon,,call it synergy I suppose,,but I really like the tone and the organic sound.I got the Denon years ago from a place called Comet Supply,, dunno if they still carry carts, but it might be worth a try as they carried quite a few carts.

soundfreak1

Maybe this will help, at a loss to see the best route to upgrade. As I look at my system (see sig) dispassionately I have reached the point of "diminishing returns" (due to my budget) when it comes to my electronics. Have some kit to sell or trade and will end up with about 500.00 to play with. My thinking is (best bang for the buck) big jump in cartridge or an outboard phono pre. At this budget 500 will buy a used pre in the mid entry level or slightly better????. But would it be "better" than the phono pre in my Perreaux? ???? So I'm more comfortable with the cartridge upgrade. This is my thinking for better or worse. Opinions welcome and needed! Are thier any flaws in my "logic"???

soundfreak1

George which one has the most accurate, (less color if you will) detailed and dynamic presentation. all instruments are separate and distinct. The dl110 is very nice but (due to my sickness LOL) I want more of the same. That tends to suggust I stay with the denon line however I've Never had my ears on other brands in this price point. I've listened to the dl301II on a friend's system and it was great. But at the 4/5 hundred range there are more options than expierance on my part. obviously I trying to extend my value by buying preowned.

george daniel

soundfreak1 wrote: »

George which one has the most accurate, (less color if you will) detailed and dynamic presentation. all instruments are separate and distinct. The dl110 is very nice but (due to my sickness LOL) I want more of the same. That tends to suggust I stay with the denon line however I've Never had my ears on other brands in this price point. I've listened to the dl301II on a friend's system and it was great. But at the 4/5 hundred range there are more options than expierance on my part. obviously I trying to extend my value by buying preowned.

For me,, the Dynavector XL 20 low output,,although I have always wanted to try the Karat.

soundfreak1

Gotta find a way to get my ears on a dynavector. I miss the old days where I would go into my local (1 of many) audio store and take a cart home and try it! Same with speakers and electronics. Oh the good ole days!!! LOL

soundfreak1

Ended up with a ATOC9ML in a trade deal for some ADS L810's so this might be interesting.

SCompRacer

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Ended up with a ATOC9ML in a trade deal for some ADS L810's so this might be interesting.

Congrats! AT is really under the radar for higher end, great sounding high quality cartridges. I have an AT33PTG/II Dual Moving Coil cartridge on a linear air bearing arm on my Lenco idler drive. Lots of bang for the buck. IMO better than the Dyna Karat 17D3 I had.

I have a Denon 103R in a Midas aluminum body on another arm. It rarely sees play time since I got the AT33.

soundfreak1

That's good to hear. Don't really know what to expect from the AT vs dl110.

soundfreak1

Spent the afternoon with the ATOC9ML today. Very good, the AT is more precise more detail lots of punch in the bass and smooth and crisp in the mids and highs. It's not "better" than the denon just different. The dl110 goes just as high and low with a "fuller" sound yet still clean and clear. Will listen some more tomorrow.