New cartridge

Hi,

Suggestions for sub-£1000 MC cartridge to go with an SME 20/2 with SME Series V tonearm into Whest ps.20 would be gratefully received.

 

i like the transfiguration carts

the van den hul carts

and the denon carts like 304 or upwards

in that order.

 

used XX2 mk2

 

yep thats a nice cart but i would not buy a used cart when you can get such good cheap new carts like the denons from japan also the audio technicas are nice 33 ltd editions etc.
the roksan shiraz is great too but may not match the whest stage so well.

 

Hi darryl,

Yes, I have been using a Transfig. Spirit 3 for the past 2 1/2 years. Very nice, but now discontinued, I am told.

I don't really want a s/h cartridge.

 

Hi James,

I'd suggest you try an AT33PTG.

These only cost around £200 when imported from Japan but perform waaay above that price point.

I've recommended it plenty of times and never had any complaint and replaced my £800 Lyra Argo whith one.

regards,

 

if you are thinking dynavector.. ebay.com seller 2juki, he wwon't have them listed so ask... mine was half uk list.

 

Hi Devil,

Why not look at the newer Transfiguration Phoenix. This retails at £1350. It looks like a very good cartridge. You could trade in your old cartridge and try to haggle a deal to get it to around the £1000.

The Transfiguration Axia which retails at £890 could be worth a look.

Another cartridge to look at is the Ortofon Jubilee. This is a superb tracker. It retails at £1300 but there may be the trade in deals to get it under the £1000. Ortofons are usually cheaper abroad.

SCIDB

 

I have just had a Lyra Dorian fitted to my LP12 Despite reservations it would only work with music in d minor(think about it...)I am thrilled and feel that it is better than th Arkiv II I had worn out. I also had Chevin Audio uprate the power supply.The Arm is Ekos II, loudspeakers stacked ESL57 and a rel storm for each channel (for organ music , prevents bass going all mono)Amps 2 x dpa 200s in stereo mode one channel of amp per 57 and dpa enlightenment pre.With dpa 200s phono stage I should say I was sales director for dpa. Chevin have tidyed all the dpa suff so it does not cook!!!!

 

I don't mind buying used. I send mine to Expert Stylus. A friend just had his XX2 MK1 re-tipped with the new Expert profile... EXCELLENT is all I can say for a mere £240. But really a Transfig Spirit 3, Lyra, Dynavector XX2 , Shelter 901... the list does go on...doesn't it. They are all great cartridges and I bet no one here would put their noses up to any of them. Personally I love the Dynavector/ Shelter sound to the Lyra. Just a preference.

 

D minor presumably a Mozart reference?

 

I heard a Benz Glider (0.4mV) recently and was very impressed, very even-handed/natural, and the Ace was great too when I heard it not too long ago, so I assume any of their sub-£1000 carts would sing with your arm and deck.

 

Yes, I like the Benz cartridges too.

 

Secondededed, its superb regardless of price.

 

where do you get an AT33PTG safely?

 

You can get the AT33PTG from www.joynetmall.com - at least as good as the DV17D2 it has replaced in my system, probably has a little more flesh on the bottom than the DV.

Stuart.

 

Cartridge

I THINK KONTRAPUNK B by ortofon, "personal"
nando

 

I bought mine from these guys along with a few other cartridges over the years - no problems at all:

http://www.audiocubes2.com/

 

Thanks. I've only heard great things about the 33. I'm ordering one tomorrow.

R

 

You won't regret it Rob. The AT33 and OC family have actually fallen in price over the years - these were once £300-£600 in the 80s. AT is a huge company compared to most high end cartridge manufacturers and they've invested in high quality automation over the years which lets them turn out gems like the 33 and OC9 with very consistent performance and at low cost compared to the competition.