And Then There Were Two!

hearingimpared

Okay, we are making settlement on our new home in Newark, Delaware this coming Monday. I wanted to have my baseline system atleast in my possession before I move in. There are still two outstanding issues that need to be resolved but I am only dealing with one here. Also please note that we will be moving in stages and our target date to be completely in is sometime during Christmas week.

Cartridges! I have done a lot of research as far as whether or not to buy a low output MC or high output MC, or an MM. I’ve done match-up exercises with the various cartridges on my list to see if they would be good fits for my SME IV tonearm as well as my Spectral preamp.

I have done my cuts and the two that are left standing are; the Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III Moving Coil Cartridge (best price $349) and the Dynavector 10x5 (best price $380). The problem I’m having with buying a cartridge is that I can’t audition them. However I’ve done my homework and both cartridges received very good reviews from the rags and internet ezines. I’ve also received positive feedback from RuSs & TroyD on both cartridges. They both seem to match up very well with the tonearm and the preamp settings are flexible.

So, if you folks could weigh in with your opinions and experiences with these two cartridges and help me choose I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Please keep in mind that I am building a baseline system and no piece of gear has been connected to each other yet (except for the Spectral pre & VPI TT) so I’m going to have to listen for a long time to get used to the sound of the system before I start tweeking it for maximum performance. Only after that will I be able to determine what pieces match up well and which I need to replace. So I am not to concerned if I plop down $380 on a cartridge and it doesn’t in the final outcome work out.

Thanks,
Joe


PS: ICs & speaker cables are next but I don't want to spring the prices for these on my wife too quickly.;)

capecodder

Hey Hearing..... I don't really have an opinion on the cartridges but I'm sure either would suit you well. Probably not worth the anxiety of which way to go.

Really wanted to say that I am also from Philly originally and went to college at U of Delaware in Newark (1975-79). Only been back a few times (and not for a while) and lots of changes have taken place. Deer Park Tavern is still there (as far as I know) and thats a good thing. Joanie the bartender is LONG gone I'm sure and unfortunately thats a BAD thing. Enjoy your new digs.

hearingimpared

anybody????

MSALLA

Haven't run a TT in a long time, but wanted to congradulate you on the new home. Haven't been to the Deer Park in about 5 years but I'm sure it's still a good time.

hearingimpared

MSALLA wrote:

Haven't run a TT in a long time, but wanted to congradulate you on the new home. Haven't been to the Deer Park in about 5 years but I'm sure it's still a good time.

Thank you! As far as the Deer Park Tavern is concerned, I have no recollection of it whatsoever. . . that doesn't mean I was never there! LOL

Libertyc

Deer Park Tavern was packed thid past Friday when I drove past it. I visit the U of D campus about twice a month for work.

There is a record shop on College Ave. called Burts which has a nice little vinyl section.