Yet another thread for cartridge recommendation

Sumerian

Hello guys.
I was planning to pull trigger on plx 1000 and would need your help to get a cartridge and phono

As always greatly appreciate your help.

Based on what i read shure and ortofon seems to be a safe bet.
I was looking for something below 300$ and doesn't elevate surface noise.
Am i correct in assuming higher end models like ortofon black elevate surface noise?
I am planning to listen mostly jazz with little bit of pop and rock.

Tony M

Get a DENON DL103

299.00. Read the reviews online.

Clipdat

Ortofon vs. Shure is kindof like a titanium tweeter vs. a silk dome tweeter.

Yes, the Ortofon can pick up more surface noise under certain circumstances, or with records that are in less than ideal condition. It's also more revealing in that regard, because it's giving you more of what's there and not sugar coating it.

The Shure is like a silk dome tweeter in that it's very pleasant, smooth, and musical. Not the last word on detail and overall resolution though.

Choosing a cartridge is pretty personal and comes down to what genre of music you like, what condition the records are in that you'll be playing, your budget, and your sensibilities and tastes when it comes to what "sounds good" to you.

Tony M

Clipdat wrote: »

Ortofon vs. Shure is kindof like a titanium tweeter vs. a silk dome tweeter.

Yes, the Ortofon can pick up more surface noise under certain circumstances, or with records that are in less than ideal condition. It's also more revealing in that regard, because it's giving you more of what's there and not sugar coating it.

The Shure is like a silk dome tweeter in that it's very pleasant, smooth, and musical. Not the last word on detail and overall resolution though.

Choosing a cartridge is pretty personal and comes down to what genre of music you like, what condition the records are in that you'll be playing, your budget, and your sensibilities and tastes when it comes to what "sounds good" to you.

That is so true. I forgot to ask!

Denon DL103 if your records are pristine for the most part and not heavy metal.
It's a MC cartridge so you might need a phono pre-amplifier to help it out.

nooshinjohn

Sumiko Bluepoint EvoIII....

Clipdat

Sumerian wrote: »

I was looking for something below 300$

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Sumiko Bluepoint EvoIII....

Sumerian

Thanks for the responses i will be playing mostly Jazz with little bit of pop and rock.
No heavy metal.
Looking for something that is forgiving and with good bass response.
I don't want the surface noise to steer me away from vinyl.
I am new to vinyl so all my records will be new.

mhardy6647

Arm's not really heavy enough for a DL-103. It'll work, but not optimal.
FWIW, I find those Blue Points to be very ordinary sounding. Many folks like them a lot. I am not one of those folks. YMMV, of course.

DL-301ii might be a good choice if it fits your budget. Both of these Denons are low output, so high-gain MC phono preamp or step-up transformers is/are required.

Otherwise, can't go wrong with a Grado, IMO Pick your price point.
ONE CAVEAT -- Grados, which are unshielded, can have induced hum issues on some tts. I do NOT know if the PLX-1000 is Grado-friendly in that regard... there is a Grado hum database (multiple ones, methinks). Pretty sure there is one or more at www.vinylengine.com Check before buying.

[Deleted User]

The detail gathering aspect of the Shure M97xe is to change the shape of the diamond to one that can respond to upper frequencies better. There is a Japanese company called JICO that made a replacement stylus for the Shure that improves the upper frequency character and increases the output slightly. This replacement used to be less expensive but has increased in price.
But, this is a nice way to improve the already fine sound.

jdjohn

Regarding stylus replacement/upgrade for the M97xE, LP Gear offers their VividLine tip (N97xVL) at a price lower than JICO's SAS...might be a good middle-ground.

We might as well include the Nagaoka MP-110 at this price point. A used MP-150 might also come in below $300.

Clipdat

Used stylus is just never something I would consider. No way to know how much use is on it.

Sumerian

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Arm's not really heavy enough for a DL-103. It'll work, but not optimal.
FWIW, I find those Blue Points to be very ordinary sounding. Many folks like them a lot. I am not one of those folks. YMMV, of course.

DL-301ii might be a good choice if it fits your budget. Both of these Denons are low output, so high-gain MC phono preamp or step-up transformers is/are required.

Otherwise, can't go wrong with a Grado, IMO Pick your price point.
ONE CAVEAT -- Grados, which are unshielded, can have induced hum issues on some tts. I do NOT know if the PLX-1000 is Grado-friendly in that regard... there is a Grado hum database (multiple ones, methinks). Pretty sure there is one or more at www.vinylengine.com Check before buying.

Is there a measurement on weight of the arm to weight of Cartridge?

Ducati Guy

I got my New Nagaoka Mp150h(with the headshell) for $280 on Amazon, had to wait 2-3 weeks for it to be shipped from japan.

Tony M

I'm glad you received it. Looks like a nice cartridge!

How can you trust a seller from another country?

mhardy6647

Sumerian wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Arm's not really heavy enough for a DL-103. It'll work, but not optimal.
FWIW, I find those Blue Points to be very ordinary sounding. Many folks like them a lot. I am not one of those folks. YMMV, of course.

DL-301ii might be a good choice if it fits your budget. Both of these Denons are low output, so high-gain MC phono preamp or step-up transformers is/are required.

Otherwise, can't go wrong with a Grado, IMO Pick your price point.
ONE CAVEAT -- Grados, which are unshielded, can have induced hum issues on some tts. I do NOT know if the PLX-1000 is Grado-friendly in that regard... there is a Grado hum database (multiple ones, methinks). Pretty sure there is one or more at www.vinylengine.com Check before buying.

Is there a measurement on weight of the arm to weight of Cartridge?

It's not cartridge weight per se, it's compliance (the 'springiness' of the stylus/cantilever/suspension system) -- and yes, there's math and/or calculators (vinylengine has one -- maybe more) or a nomograph, like this one from Ortofon.

https://www.ortofon.com/support/support-hifi/resonance-frequency



Basically, the arm mass and cartridge compliance need to be 'matched' such that the resonant frequency of the resulting system is not too high and not too low. The "ideal" resonant frequency is in the 8 to 10 Hz region (Ortofon sez "8 to 12 Hz" -- and I won't argue with them!). Too low and record warp noise or footfalls will excite the resonance; too higher and bass content in the music can excite it.

The Devil is in the details

Tony M

I'm going back to CDs then.

kharp1

Tony M wrote: »

I'm going back to CDs then.

Absolutely, there was too much engineering math involved with vinyl. I just want to veg out and listen to some tunes, not have to do long division before putting the needle on the record.

dragon1952

Hear, hear.

[Deleted User]

That's when this is handy:
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/134548/ortofon-tc3000-turntable-cartridge-computer

Sumerian

Sounds like too much labor hope the returns are good.
I initially thought of getting some audio technica now i will end up spending atleast a grand. May be i should just upgrade the DAC and call it a day?
This will be the most confused purchase ever.

Ducati Guy

After I set up my new turntable and put on the first record,

then heard all the background hiss/pops/crackles, my first gut reaction was "damm it sounds just like what I remember my parents records sounds like, jeez did I just waste a bunch of money."

Then I used the record brush, some less surface noise ,"hmm".

Then I got a cheap spin clean, "Hmm, this is sounding a lot better, maybe 50-80% less surface noise depending on the record.
Then I started to appreciate the slightly different sound of vinyl. Being a part of the process of why your vinyl is sounding good, also makes me appreciate the sound more, more of an "experience". Like feeling more connected with your car, manually shifting the gears.
And sometimes you just want a little more variety with your chocolate.
I like Hershey Kisses("Hi Res Files"), I like cd's/SACD's("milk chocolate"),
and then I also want that extra creamy milk chocolate("Vinyl").
The rabbit hole has been fun.

jdjohn

Many people describe the vinyl experience as 'organic', and I agree with that. SOOO many factors involved in the final output - vinyl condition, stylus (diamond/cantilever) type and construction, cartridge, tonearm, turntable, interconnects, phonostage...and each one of those has more factors of its own, and each can be upgraded independently. It takes a pretty sizable investment to even approach digital quality. It's interesting to cue-up the same track on vinyl and digital, start both, and then flip back-and-forth between sources.

I'm not going to say one sounds 'better' than the other - it depends on the track and personal preference. Digital is maybe like using an exacto knife, whereas vinyl maybe a good, sharp, pocket knife (when done right). I think the application and de-application of the RIAA equalization curve with vinyl is really a bigger factor than we recognize or mention.

I enjoy both mediums...just depends on how much I want to babysit a player.