Let's Talk Carts and Styli

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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    Never had anything but tighter,faster,deeper,and more bass attack with MC''S over any MM I've heard.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • inscrutable
    inscrutable Posts: 13
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    In fairness, I think that the entry-level mimimalists tts from Pro-Ject, Music Hall, Rega, etc. fit the criterion of "a more contemporary aesthetic" better than the SL-1200-esque PLX-1000... don't they?


    I am in no way suggesting these are better choices from a hifi perspective -- just thinkin' WAF, you know? :)

    Agreed ... and why my VPI Classic is in the main rig.
    Been looking at all of those entry levels you mention as this isn't really for critical listening, just needs to be decent. Odds are there will be more streaming than vinyl downstairs.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2017
    agfrost wrote: »

    I am not the final word on this, but I believe I ruptured my spleen due to the "bass presence" of Rich's (SCompRacer's) vinyl setup, an AT LOMC whose model escapes me at the moment. :wink:

    Wasn't that amazing! And a sad day for my bit for bit ripped digital version of Skrillex/Bangarang.

    AT33PTG/II, (0.3mV), > matched Park's Audio Budgie SUT > Bottlehead Eros phono pre > Audio Reasearch Reference 3 pre-amp > Krell KSA-250 > Salk SoundScape 8's.

    Oh, and two NHT B-12d subs to shore up the 25-35Hz range in my large open space that no speaker, including modded SRS2 SDA's or Carver Silver Amazings, ever played down to 25Hz +- 3dB in the room when placed on the West wall. Rooms matter! lol

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • inscrutable
    inscrutable Posts: 13

    msg wrote: »
    Man, you guys are killing me on these Denon carts. I'm beyond curious.


    So.
    I've been reading some feedback/reviews on these Denon carts on NeedleDoctor, SteveHoffman, and AK. I like what I'm reading about detail extraction, trackability, etc., of these carts. Seems like the 103/103R and 110 seem to be the solid robust baseline performers.
    Don't overlook the DL-160 if still available ... that might be the best HOMC I have heard. (Not that I have heard them all)
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2017
    I don't recall Acutex cartridges (~'70's to '80's IIRC)) being mentioned. Not MM or MI, but IM or Induced Magnet. ACUTEX means: Accurate Technological Excellence. Acutex was manufactured by NIPPON AZDEN (whom build cartridges for other companies like Empire). The OEM stylus was by Ogura Jewel Industry Co. of Tokyo.

    I've owned quite a few cartridges myself, many more than mentioned. ;) Sadly I don't know where this one is. Pictured on my pre finished Lenco idler drive TT.

    oi82ngxlwovu.jpg

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    I am currently using a HOMC Blue Point #2 with a SUT and really like it.

    but I don't have much to compare it too.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • izafar
    izafar Posts: 819
    I have recently moved to Denon DL 301 Mkii on Marantz TT-15S1. I am running this with Clearaudio Nano loaded at 400 ohms. I only have around an hour on it, so far I like the tonal balance as compared to Clearaudio Virtuso it is replacing. There is slight congestion in mid range on some recordings at higher volume, I am hoping this will get better more hours on it.
    -izafar

    Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    izafar wrote: »
    I have recently moved to Denon DL 301 Mkii on Marantz TT-15S1. I am running this with Clearaudio Nano loaded at 400 ohms. I only have around an hour on it, so far I like the tonal balance as compared to Clearaudio Virtuso it is replacing. There is slight congestion in mid range on some recordings at higher volume, I am hoping this will get better more hours on it.

    I found my 103 lacked dynamics, things got a little confused/congested with difficult passages at higher volumes. This will diminish with break in. I'm at about 15 hours with mine. It Is much better, still very impressed by this budget cartridge.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    msg wrote: »
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    Personally, I would rather own your Pioneer and if compatible, mate it to a Denon DL-103R. A great sounding Cartridge at a very good price.

    I purchased one from this seller with no issues what so ever, received it within a week and in perfect condition.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DL-103R-Low-Output-MC-Cartridge-Made-in-Japan/282306779103
    Good heads up, Mike!
    Curious, was reading about the DL-103 and newer DL-103R, which touts significant improvements.

    The Ebay option is such a good deal vs that over Needle Doctor's price, $260 vs $450 that it makes me wonder how/why and whether it's genuine? Any thoughts on that? Sure looks legit, though.
    http://www.needledoctor.com/Welcome?search=dl-103r

    Scott, The best I can tell the Cartridge came in a Factory Packed box and looks and sounds legit. I've read of this seller on other Forums and he's been selling cartridges for quite a while, with nothing but praise from other buyers.

    It very well may be a Grey Marker item, but I don't care. It's this best 260.00 I've spent on audio for quite some time.
    I've bought two DL-103R's from that seller and wouldn't hesitate to do so again. IMO, the DL-103R would be a must-try if compatible with the new Pioneer.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    SCompRacer wrote: »

    AT33PTG/II, (0.3mV), > matched Park's Audio Budgie SUT > Bottlehead Eros phono pre > Audio Reasearch Reference 3 pre-amp > Krell KSA-250 > Salk SoundScape 8's.

    I expect that's a killer setup. I very much enjoy the AT33PTG/II - Park's Audio Budgie SUT combo thanks to @SCompRacer's guidance. Haven't built my Eros yet (sigh).
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2017
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    Haven't built my Eros yet (sigh).

    Now that is a shame! :/

    If the millennial wouldn't of got fired for being lazy and inept and I wasn't working 11 hours a day, we could talk about my build service.

    I did Victor's Reduction with Integration and it's still working...lol
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I did Victor's Reduction with Integration and it's still working...lol

    Indeed! It's working beautifully. I just make sure to keep an eye on it & shut if off when the smoke starts to come out the bottom...lol J/K! :wink:

    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    halo wrote: »
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I did Victor's Reduction with Integration and it's still working...lol

    Indeed! It's working beautifully. I just make sure to keep an eye on it & shut if off when the smoke starts to come out the bottom...lol J/K! :wink:

    Smoke rises, silly boy -- it'll come out the top.

    ;)
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