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Selection of the right cartridge

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floyd droid
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Aha i sussed it ,lol. Hi summit, how are you getting on finding cartridges out there. Out of interest can you buy them localy or do you have to import ?. India but where exactly. This is why the internet is brilliant, I loves stuff like this I does.  Smile.

Alears
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

I do to by golly!

The suggestion of the Grado Prestige was not far off the mark in my 'umble opinion. I would not suggest anything with exotic-shaped stylii as this would only exagerate the clicks and pops I feel.

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floyd droid
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Yip i agree with prolly the naga as tops for outlay. But sumit appears to have gone down the battle cruiser.

plastic penguin
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Perhaps try ClearAudio Classic wood. Suggested it so many times yet I've hardly had a reply. Tracks at fairly light weights, fabulous all-round performer...

Crying

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Alears
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

plastic penguin wrote:

Perhaps try ClearAudio Classic wood. Suggested it so many times yet I've hardly had a reply. Tracks at fairly light weights, fabulous all-round performer...

Crying

I've not had experience with the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Wood but seems a nice cartridge for the money. However seeing as the OP is using it on old second-hand vinyl I would not consider that 'tracks at fairly light weights' to be a particularly good thing. Smile

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Alears
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Sumit_India I think I know the cartridge you should buy. I should have remembered as fitted one to my brothers deck last year.

You should look at the Shure M97xE. This is a reasonably cheap cartridge that is readily available from Amazon or others. It has a flip down 'Dynamic Stabiliser' that is specifically designed for older or slightly warped records. It helps reduce sonic rumble. This requires a slightly heavier tracking weight (in the order of 2gms if I remember correctly) when in use. Ideally this cartridge has a fairly cheap replacement stylus also, should the original get damaged.

Check website below for review.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-accessories/shure-m97xe-940823/review

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plastic penguin
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Alears wrote:

plastic penguin wrote:

Perhaps try ClearAudio Classic wood. Suggested it so many times yet I've hardly had a reply. Tracks at fairly light weights, fabulous all-round performer...

Crying

I've not had experience with the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Wood but seems a nice cartridge for the money. However seeing as the OP is using it on old second-hand vinyl I would not consider that 'tracks at fairly light weights' to be a particularly good thing. Smile

Dunno - I think anyone with vinyl has a decent selection of used records, including me. Some of mine are 30 years old and quite ropey. The ClearAudio deals with them well.

Before buying it I heard a price compatible Ortofon (can't remember the model - it was 5 years ago) but it had the better balance, although TBVH, my turntable isn't a prime top-end affair. Impressive all-rounder; the bass is tight and well defined; the midrange and treble is full-bodied and insightful. I certainly wouldn't change it for any cartridge, even if or when I upgrade the turntable.  

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Alears
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

plastic penguin wrote:

Alears wrote:

plastic penguin wrote:

Perhaps try ClearAudio Classic wood. Suggested it so many times yet I've hardly had a reply. Tracks at fairly light weights, fabulous all-round performer...

Crying

I've not had experience with the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Wood but seems a nice cartridge for the money. However seeing as the OP is using it on old second-hand vinyl I would not consider that 'tracks at fairly light weights' to be a particularly good thing. Smile

Dunno - I think anyone with vinyl has a decent selection of used records, including me. Some of mine are 30 years old and quite ropey. The ClearAudio deals with them well.

Before buying it I heard a price compatible Ortofon (can't remember the model - it was 5 years ago) but it had the better balance, although TBVH, my turntable isn't a prime top-end affair. Impressive all-rounder; the bass is tight and well defined; the midrange and treble is full-bodied and insightful. I certainly wouldn't change it for any cartridge, even if or when I upgrade the turntable.  

Hi PP, I was in no way trying to denigrate your cartridge suggestion, I am sure it is excellent.

I was, howver, unsure of the OP's financial budget and looking at the kit he is talking about I thought it unlikely he would want to put a cartridge that cost £170 (replacement stylus in order of £100) on a deck that costs £220.

The Shure cartridge was suggested as a cheaper option.

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plastic penguin
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Alears wrote:

plastic penguin wrote:

Alears wrote:

plastic penguin wrote:

Perhaps try ClearAudio Classic wood. Suggested it so many times yet I've hardly had a reply. Tracks at fairly light weights, fabulous all-round performer...

Crying

I've not had experience with the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Wood but seems a nice cartridge for the money. However seeing as the OP is using it on old second-hand vinyl I would not consider that 'tracks at fairly light weights' to be a particularly good thing. Smile

Dunno - I think anyone with vinyl has a decent selection of used records, including me. Some of mine are 30 years old and quite ropey. The ClearAudio deals with them well.

Before buying it I heard a price compatible Ortofon (can't remember the model - it was 5 years ago) but it had the better balance, although TBVH, my turntable isn't a prime top-end affair. Impressive all-rounder; the bass is tight and well defined; the midrange and treble is full-bodied and insightful. I certainly wouldn't change it for any cartridge, even if or when I upgrade the turntable.  

Hi PP, I was in no way trying to denigrate your cartridge suggestion, I am sure it is excellent.

I was, howver, unsure of the OP's financial budget and looking at the kit he is talking about I thought it unlikely he would want to put a cartridge that cost £170 (replacement stylus in order of £100) on a deck that costs £220.

The Shure cartridge was suggested as a cheaper option.

Thought I'd throw the ClearAudio in the mix and see how it goes.

Shure cartridges of the past were certainly good value for money - I used have the M55E, which was very feisty sounding, and incredibly high MVs. Likewise, Goldring maybe a good choice. I used to own the old G800...

TBH, I couldn't say how the modern versions compare to the OPs existing Ortofon.

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sumit.india
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Guys,

Thanks a lot. I am staying at Kolkata, India. Needledoctor will deliver the stuff to my address.

So, the suggestions are Nagaoka MP110, Clearaudio, Shure, Grado. I can go upto USD120 for the cartridge.

Let me check the price of all.

sumit.india
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

I have checked the price..

Nagaoka MP110, Shure, Ortofon 2M Red is coming in my range.

Now...what?

floyd droid
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Forget the Red, its bright and orrible . The Grado is well within your budget can you source one of those, if so how much ?. Thank your lucky stars that you live where you do as the Naga price here is over budget !.

sumit.india
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

No it's not. Nagaoka MP110 is very much in the range.

After all, the final should be between Grado and Naga.

Leave your final comment.

Alears
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Things are still getting a little lost in translation I see.

Not sure what price you are paying for these cartridges sumit.india but based on prices here in the UK and your budget of 120 dollars (equals £75) then the suggested Grado Prestige Black would be well within your budget (if purchase in UK).

That leaves the Nagaoka which you can get for £74 here in the UK (ie only just within your budget)

Personally I would still go for the Shure as it will track better on older vinyl. Smile

I would also suggest you look at the costs of replacement stylus and factor this into your decision.

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sumit.india
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RE: Selection of the right cartridge

Friends...Thanks a lot.