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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2020 21:21:43 GMT
With people racking up lots of playtime, is it really worth investing in an MC cartridge, or would we be better off having MI or MM as a general use cartridge, wheeling out the MC on special occasions? As can be seen on this forum, I was contemplating investing in a reasonable level MC, but the cost per hour was starting to get a bit scary, especially if you play a lot of vinyl. I have a modest collection of cartridges, the key ones being an AT33PTG/II (MC), an SAE 1000LT (HOMC), a MusicMaker Classic (MI), a Technics EPC-U205/Jico SAS, an AT20 SLa (with a spare NOS AT15SS stylus) and an AT150ea, with an AT150MLx stylus. The MC and MI cartridges would all require a retired when used, and that is probably not cheap. The 205 has styli available from cheap to relatively expensive, the AT20 replacement are getting hard to find, and only aftermarket versions are available. That leaves me with the AT150 as a reasonable level MM for daily listening. The latest generation AT styli will fit. That gives me a choice of about 6 styli ( Details here) so it seems like this is the most sensible option. Or do I just say F### it, you only live once. Seriously though, how much better is a good MC cartridge compared to something like the Music Maker Classic, or even a top end MM? How much would I have to spend to get a worthwhile improvement? I am half tempted to bury my head in the sand, and fit one of my AT95s, and just enjoy the music instead of listening to the system. I mean, have we got this hobby all wrong.. |
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Post by sq225917 on Oct 31, 2020 21:24:24 GMT
Sell em all and pick up a knackered high end mc and has it rebuilt by VAS in the States.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 31, 2020 21:28:14 GMT
No one can answer this IMO. How many of us have actually picked up a TOTL MM and then gave it the same kind of conditions to work in, as we have for the MC's we have bought?
There won't be many if any.
You do only live once, and at the rate hearing loss can kick in, it may only be a short time in which you can actually enjoy something High End.
Do what will make you happy, then you won't regret not doing it.
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Post by electronumpty on Oct 31, 2020 22:56:56 GMT
Wait until a manufacturer whose carts you like revamps their range then buy a current range low hours ex demo one from a dealer for about 30-50% of retail when they move them on.
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Post by jimbo on Nov 1, 2020 7:20:53 GMT
My FGS 2M Black at £300 for a replacement FGS stylus simply cannot be beaten by any MC cartidge economically. I therefore am happy to run it day in day out. I would consider an MC cartidge for occasional use if i could find one that sounded as good as the FGS 2M black.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2020 8:33:09 GMT
It is a shame I did not really like the 2M black when I had one.
Are the stylus readily available, or do you gphave to get someone to fit the FG in place?
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Post by jimbo on Nov 1, 2020 9:02:16 GMT
It is a shame I did not really like the 2M black when I had one. Are the stylus readily available, or do you gphave to get someone to fit the FG in place? The FGS stylus was fitted by Killian at Holistic Audio. |
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Post by karma67 on Nov 1, 2020 9:17:44 GMT
It is a shame I did not really like the 2M black when I had one. Are the stylus readily available, or do you gphave to get someone to fit the FG in place? The FGS stylus was fitted by Killian at Holistic Audio. his work is top notch and is great to speak to on the phone,he gives great advice as to what/how to precede. he did the fg re tip on my ortofon kb. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2020 9:25:35 GMT
So when I wear out my ATN20SLa, I could potentially get a FG retip done on that?
Good news.
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Post by jimbo on Nov 1, 2020 9:49:34 GMT
So when I wear out my ATN20SLa, I could potentially get a FG rétif done on that? Good news. He may not do AT cartridges as he is an Ortofon specialist. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2020 9:55:07 GMT
Ok, thanks.
Anyway, I may stop looking. I have fitted my AT20SLa (first time since I bought the Houdini) and I am very happy with the sound.
I have also found the original SLa stylus for sale at around €100, so I may buy a couple.
Sure, it is no MC, but it sounds very musical, and is nicely detailed. I think I would have to spend loads of cash to do better than this, and is there any point?
I think my priority is certainly the amplification, as someone recently told me, this affects the whole system, and I think he is correct.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2020 13:14:21 GMT
Been using a Hana EL cartridge for about a year, lovely refined sound. Lacks excitement with Rock, R & B. Bought a Shelter 201 for £160 and it certainly rocks. Doesn't sound to bad on other genres as well. I've used MC cartridges for years and haven't listened to one with such a rich and gutsy sound as the Shelter 201. Got me thinking about my system and after talking to a dealer he suggest buying a separate phono stage. Bought a Primare R15, being delivered this week. Hope it's better then the Avid Pulsus I owned a few years ago. Didn't matter what loading you used, it made everything sound dull and uninteresting.
Been considering buying an AT150SLA for a while. May be the best compromise between my two cartridges. As someone pointed out, we should be listening to the music not the system. Fortunately for HiFi dealers, it hasn't been the case with me for over 50 years.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2020 17:32:35 GMT
Further to my post mentioning the Primare R15. It's exceeded all my expectations. Still using a Shelter 201 cartridge and with the R15, it's as if my vinyl has come to life. Hard to describe? LPs I've not bothered playing much because they sounded pretty flat and uninteresting, now what a difference. As an example have got Miles Davis, Kind of Blue on CD and vinyl. Always thought it was good musicianship and that was it. Now for the first time there's a WOW factor. Had dearer and cheaper preamps in the past. None of them come close to the R15. Plus it looks sad feels like a well engineered product. Wait a few days and change out the cartridge to a Hana EL.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2020 18:04:49 GMT
It would be interesting to see how that compares the the Graham Slee Accession MM and Accession MC I have here.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 9, 2020 18:10:31 GMT
Further to my post mentioning the Primare R15. It's exceeded all my expectations. Still using a Shelter 201 cartridge and with the R15, it's as if my vinyl has come to life. Hard to describe? LPs I've not bothered playing much because they sounded pretty flat and uninteresting, now what a difference. As an example have got Miles Davis, Kind of Blue on CD and vinyl. Always thought it was good musicianship and that was it. Now for the first time there's a WOW factor. Had dearer and cheaper preamps in the past. None of them come close to the R15. Plus it looks sad feels like a well engineered product. Wait a few days and change out the cartridge to a Hana EL. Ah! Great news indeed. Vinyl can be a seriously rewarding listen, but sometimes the kit in the chain can obscure some of its joyous musical reproduction. Glad this change has worked in your favour. Now to start collecting the black pizza's lol |
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