Best Turntable Cartridge for $400-$700?

[Russ L]

Yes I've done it. Despite my ravings about my Cambridge Audio 840C CD player sounding so analog :blah: I've just purchased a Clearaudio Emotion Turntable with a Moon LP 3 Phono stage. Well its just plain fun isn't it! And I had an empty top shelf on my audio rack to fill... looks great. Was wondering which cartridge is a solid performer for about $500? Heard the Sumiko Bluepoint Special EVO III was well worth it. Any thoughts or personal preferences?

[wkhanna]

Wooo Whoooo!

Welcome to the club of the big black disc, Russ!

That really sounds like a V nice rig! Besides, we can’t have those empty spaces on our racks, now can we!

The world of carts is murky conundrum on a good day. So many things influence how a particular cart will sound on your table. Alignment, mass loaded or suspended plinth, the arm mass and its natural frequency, MM or MC, etc, etc.

One of the more important things to consider is the type of stylus geometry. Fine line vs elliptical, and on and on. If you are going to be buying more used LP’s than new ones, some of the different stylus geometries ‘ride’ at a different place in the groove than the typical stylus, and will be touching the sides of the groove at a point where other styluses have never touched, providing the abbility to 'miss' some of the damge that may be on the LP.

The guys at the Asylum can give you some good advice, here is a link to some carts they like.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=vinyl&m=764688

Dynavector, the trusty old Denon, and the new Zu, based on the Denon, are getting high praise, lately.

[Alloroc]

Cool stuff Russ.....

You should find yourself spoiled for choice at that level.

I've a Clearaudio Ambient and it came with the Clearaudio Aurum Beta Mk II Wood. I did replace it and the tonearm - I use a Koetsu cartridge (the Rosewood Signature) now but the Aurum was really decent. It should fall nicely into your price bracket. The EVO III should be lots cheaper than $500 - about 400 or less but their next step up - The Blackbird - has won many awards - about $700. Other good options will come from Grado and Benz who've got some decent offerings - the Grado Sonata is a very good cart.

[twitch54]

Congrats Russ, I think Bill summed it very well.

Compliance issues not withstanding, in your price range I'm a big fan of the Micro Benz "Ace" family of cart. All MC, but three output choices to properly match the gain of your phono-pre, should that be a concern.

[Russ L]

Fortunately my dealer carries most of your suggestions...Grado, Benz, Dynavector, as well as Clearaudio and Sumiko. I think the Sumiko Evo III may be off my list because it has an open body design thats very susceptible to damage and its the only one in Sumiko's line-up that is packaged without a stylus guard. If I fumble about and damage it while installing it I might as well buy a cart for 2x the money with a stylus guard. Good thing tho my dealer will give me a trade in value for the Aurum Classic Wood Cart that came with the rig 8) Still haven't played an LP yet... have to wait till Tuesday for money to buy the cart and 180 gram LPs but will let you know how it sounds. I haven't heard an LP for 25 years!

Great link Bill. Thanks for sharing your preferences everyone!

[Glen B]

My cartridge of choice for several years has been the Audio-Technica AT-OC9 (now available in MK2 version).

[Russ L]

Finally decided to go with the new S Class version of the Benz ACE High output MC cartridge. Costs $150 more than the last model... its now $700. Will arrive Saturday and I'll finally be able to set up the Clearaudio Emotion TT. Then I'll hear how much vinyl technology has advanced in past 25 years. Sales staff say that even the modest Rega P1 turntable is far better than the TTs we used 30 years back. Eg: Dual, Technics,... we will see.

[twitch54]

Finally decided to go with the new S Class version of the Benz ACE High output MC cartridge. .

Me thinks you will be a Happy Camper !

Look forward to to initial impressions as well as those once you have got it broken in.

Good Luck !

[wkhanna]

Me thinks you will be a Happy Camper !!

Agreed!

I have a friend with a ProJect 10 who has been using various Benz carts for years after having had a few Sumiko’s. He swears by them AFA working well in his system.

Are you having the local shop set up your cart, or are going to mount it yourself?

Also, have you given any thoughts to record cleaning? I have found it to be essential for getting most out or your vinyl. And don’t forget to get a good quality stylus brush.

Look forward to to initial impressions as well as those once you have got it broken in.

Good Luck !

I too, am anxiously awaiting your comments on how this great system sounds, once you are up and running!

[Russ L]

I too, am anxiously awaiting your comments on how this great system sounds, once you are up and running!

I've only had the TT setup and running since Friday and I've put in 6 hrs of listening. Thats about 18 sides tho. Since its going to take awhile to break it in I thought I'd give you an initial report. Wish I could set the unit to repeat and get the Benz Cart, Moon pre-amp and new interconnects broken in over 2-3 days.

Putting aside the issue whether CD sounds better than vinyl. I can confirm what has been said in this forum...the music is more engaging. People start tapping their feet and bring cases of Kilkenny over so we can sit around and listen to albums! It sound more musical and natural.

I just figured out how to set the cart's VTA to 2 degrees as suggested by the manufacturer. Finally my high school trigonometry is useful. The albums sound far better balanced from lows to highs. Way better with right VTA. It was originally set (accidentally) to a negative rake of 3.5 degrees. (Using suggestions on Sumiko's website.) Now theres incredible sound and still 40+ hrs till its fully broken in. :T :T

[Alloroc]

Agreed!

Also, have you given any thoughts to record cleaning? I have found it to be essential for getting most out or your vinyl. And don’t forget to get a good quality stylus brush.

Let me recommend the Clearaudio Smart Matrix LP Record Cleaning Machine. I bought a demo one a while back for about €200 in a sale. It's a fantastic machine and it keeps my LPs pristine. It'll be pricy enough new but as a said, you'll find them second hand too.

Clearaudio make some very sophisticated cleaners but with prices to match.

[twitch54]

I've only had the TT setup and running since Friday and I've put in 6 hrs of listening. Now theres incredible sound and still 40+ hrs till its fully broken in. :T :T

Russ, glad it's sounding so well.

In so far as the break-in time, no need for sixty hours, you will find it at a level of perfection within the next 10-15 hrs. When using that cartridge on my previous set-up I felt it was totally up to par around 10-15 hrs.

[Johnloudb]

I've only had the TT setup and running since Friday and I've put in 6 hrs of listening. Thats about 18 sides tho. Since its going to take awhile to break it in I thought I'd give you an initial report. Wish I could set the unit to repeat and get the Benz Cart, Moon pre-amp and new interconnects broken in over 2-3 days.

Putting aside the issue whether CD sounds better than vinyl. I can confirm what has been said in this forum...the music is more engaging. People start tapping their feet and bring cases of Kilkenny over so we can sit around and listen to albums! It sound more musical and natural.

I just figured out how to set the cart's VTA to 2 degrees as suggested by the manufacturer. Finally my high school trigonometry is useful. The albums sound far better balanced from lows to highs. Way better with right VTA. It was originally set (accidentally) to a negative rake of 3.5 degrees. (Using suggestions on Sumiko's website.) Now theres incredible sound and still 40+ hrs till its fully broken in. :T :T

Wow, what a great LP rig! I'm in envy. If you want to break in your rig more, this test record would help. It has a break-in groove so you can play it continuously.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/50543

[Russ L]

This Vinyl is rockin the joint! My expensive stereo gear is finally showing what it can do. Now that the TT is nearly broken in the vinyl presents a deep and wide soundstage. The stereo has real punch. While the digital just hangs in the soundstage very politely with each player or source separate from the other. With LPs you can feel the bass hit you as well as the presence of all the instruments. The music is smooth, realistic and organic... like its alive. Its visceral and a whole body experience. CDs on an excellent playback rig are technically superb sounding but its not a sound that often grabs you and gives you goosebumps like a good carnival ride. And LPs sound far better on todays amps and speakers than those of my youth. A TT is a must have to get the best out of your investment. :T

[wkhanna]

Apparently they did an ‘ok’ job of aligning your new cartridge :W

It is great to hear that you are happy with your new rig. Those are some V nice components you have there, and I would expect no less than the excitement and joy you’re experiencing right now. Vinyl truly is a more involving way to hear music.

One reminder, don’t forget to get some good quality cleaning supplies for your LP’s and stylus.

[twitch54]

One reminder, don’t forget to get some good quality cleaning supplies for your LP’s and stylus.

more words of wisdom, and along those lines I would like to add, when funds permit, the addition of RCM (record cleaning machine). My present machine, a VPI 16.5 has proven beyond doubt the benifits of such a device.

[miner]

I second a RCM. I was skeptical at first, but once I fell into the logic all is well. Would not want a LP collection without one. Look used to begin with. I bought my NG 1.5Fi (I refurbished to a 2.5Fi) used for $125.

[Russ L]

more words of wisdom, and along those lines I would like to add, when funds permit, the addition of RCM (record cleaning machine). My present machine, a VPI 16.5 has proven beyond doubt the benifits of such a device.

If I'm buying most of my LPs new is it as important to have an RCM?

[Alaric]

Absolutely. "New" albums have some serious crud on them. Also a stylus cleaning brush to account for the albums you didn't clean!

[twitch54]

If I'm buying most of my LPs new is it as important to have an RCM?

As Lee said...absolutely !! here's a link to some worthy vinyl discussion including cleaning ideas, etc.


http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?board=32.0

[Russ L]

As Lee said...absolutely !! here's a link to some worthy vinyl discussion including cleaning ideas, etc.


http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?board=32.0

Thanks... good link!

[DL86]

Ortofon 2M Black or Bronze. I will be buying the Bronze for my Technics SL1200 mk2. The black is rated as the best Moving Magnet cartridge in existance today and all for around $650.

[wettou]

If I'm buying most of my LPs new is it as important to have an RCM?

No a simple brush will do:T

[wkhanna]

Even sealed LPs can have residual mold release and other contaminates. It may be over-kill, but I clean every LP before it's played. Cheap insurance on my investment, as I see it. Then again, vinyl suits OCD tendencies well.

As always, JMHO, YMMV

[Glen B]

In 41 years of purchasing new and mint condition used vinyl, I have never felt the need for a record cleaning machine. The Discwasher brush pad and fluid has worked fine for me over the years, and I have never had issues with surface noise. I keep two pads, one for cleaning newly acquired records and another for cleaning before and after plays. The majority of my vinyl collection is remarkably quiet. The only discs that have any noticeable ticks and pops are the ones that I purchased used.

[twitch54]

In 41 years of purchasing new and mint condition used vinyl, I have never felt the need for a record cleaning machine. The Discwasher brush pad and fluid has worked fine for me over the years.

While this may be true remember the "horse and buggy" worked fine for many people too !

Glen, please don't think for one minute that your Discwasher procedure will compare to the capabilities of good RCM setup....IT WILL NOT !

I've been spinning vinyl since '61 and while my collection of LP's is rather small (approx 1000) I would never go back to a manual cleaning process. Please try not to take this as an insult but the Discwasher setup is really not that good for one very simple and basic reason.....the handle for it's pad is wood, which DOES NOT provide a path for static electricity to be coducted away from the record surface ! Oh and BTW who do you think was the first to market the first 'Zerostat' gun.......ahh yes, marketing genius those Discwasher fellas !!!

[Glen B]

I also use a carbon fiber brush before each play. MY system works for ME, so what's the problem ? If there's some hidden grunge, I'm not seeing or hearing it. Why change a system that IMO is not broken just on someone else's say-so ? I have zero surface noise issues and my vinyl collection has remained in pristine condition. Not everyone can make that claim. Signing off on this topic now.