Attention vinyl junkies! I need a P mount cartridge

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited December 2007 in Electronics
ok. what should be on my short list of cartridges for a P mount tonearm ? budget under $125, if I can find something decent for half that.. even better. ;)

Oh yeah, this is for a Technics SL-M1 table
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited December 2007
    Audio Technica, shure, grado, ortofon.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,155
    edited December 2007
    Actually, your list should be a non P-mount turntable! Half kidding, but seriously, there just aren't that many P-mounts available, it was something that never caught on except in budget units. I don't know why the eff Technics ever put T4P mount on such an otherwise nice table. Anyway, rant over, I think your best selection of P-mounts is going to be here:
    http://www.turntableneedles.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=21945
    or
    Here:
    http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LG&Category_Code=T4P

    I'd probably go for the Shure ME96P. The Ortofon OMP10 might be another decent choice and I think it can use any of the OM series styli, so you could upgrade to the 20 or 30 series eventually.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    ESAVINON wrote: »
    Audio Technica, shure, grado, ortofon.


    nice.. all but the Shure were on my radar after doing some research... i could get into a mid entry level Grado for about my top dollar amount. The Ortofon also look like it might be a good match. How about Stanton?

    the Stanton weights 8.7 grams :eek: isn't that alot? say's it's a DJ cart and stylus.. which they claim only means it has a big fat strong cantilever. and could work in a table like mine.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,098
    edited December 2007
    I'd go with the Ortofon....I had the OM-10..good cart for the coin.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,609
    edited December 2007
    danger, along with your research here, maybe contact Kevin at KAB. http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm

    He has always provided detailed answers to questions I have asked. That was before I ever purchased anything from him. He handles many cartridge lines. More info might help you decide.
    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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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    danger, along with your research here, maybe contact Kevin at KAB. http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm

    He has always provided detailed answers to questions I have asked. That was before I ever purchased anything from him. He handles many cartridge lines. More info might help you decide.

    good idea...

    what do you think of this one? http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-320-U-Cartridge
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,286
    edited December 2007
    Grado Black is available in P-mount. For about $40, I think it's an outstanding choice.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Grado Black is available in P-mount. For about $40, I think it's an outstanding choice.

    a few people have mentioned the famous Grado "hum".. so I'm a little hesitant to go with Grado.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited December 2007
    I've heard people talk about the Grado's having a humm due to them being more challenging to set up correctly. From what I've read it's not an insurmountable problem, though.

    I tried cartridgedb.com to see if they had any info on suitable cartridges for your TT, but no such luck.

    If you're interested, I have an Ortofon OM10 sitting at my house not getting used at the time being. I think it's a P-mount, if you'd like to try it I'd be glad to get it to you. It's not brand new, I used it on my previous turntable for a year or so before it **** the bed. That way you can give it a whirl before you decide to buy anything.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,286
    edited December 2007
    Fair enough. The paradoxical thing about the Grado hum is it seems to manifest itself on tts with DC motors. This never quite made sense to me.

    The Grado hum (and the Grado dance) is/are unfortunate little glitches, for they are (IMNSHO) great "fleshy" (or maybe "organic") sounding cartridges.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    strider wrote: »
    I've heard people talk about the Grado's having a humm due to them being more challenging to set up correctly. From what I've read it's not an insurmountable problem, though.

    I tried cartridgedb.com to see if they had any info on suitable cartridges for your TT, but no such luck.

    If you're interested, I have an Ortofon OM10 sitting at my house not getting used at the time being. I think it's a P-mount, if you'd like to try it I'd be glad to get it to you. It's not brand new, I used it on my previous turntable for a year or so before it **** the bed. That way you can give it a whirl before you decide to buy anything.

    Hey strider,
    thanks for the offer.. but I really do want to go with a new cart and stylus... the one on my table now is a Audio Technica AAT132EP, it's used I can tell, so it sounds ok, but I know with a new cart and needle, it would sound even better. Luckily with the P mount, I don't have tons of choices.. so it's making the decision a little easier actually. :D
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,155
    edited December 2007
    Get one of those Ortofons or the Shure that I mentioned. To me, those are the only 3 choices unless you want to spend more for one of the higher (gold/silver) Grados.
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited December 2007
    danger boy wrote: »
    Hey strider,
    thanks for the offer.. but I really do want to go with a new cart and stylus... the one on my table now is a Audio Technica AAT132EP, it's used I can tell, so it sounds ok, but I know with a new cart and needle, it would sound even better. Luckily with the P mount, I don't have tons of choices.. so it's making the decision a little easier actually. :D

    Anytime. I've been fooling around with my TT setup recently. I can't believe the difference a good, solid, stand and a level platter have made. I've been eyeing the Sumiko Pearl for mine, be sure to post up what you decide and your impressions when you get there!
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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