New cartridge?

I am thinking of replacing my Van den Hul The Frog MC cartridge with something less 'edged' and more musical. Lately, in my current system, I have found the Frog to enhance edges around instruments and voices and not really having a very 'full' sound. I heard my friend's Benz Micro and that was much more to my liking. I am using Michell Gyro SE+Origin Live RB300+Incognito into battery-powered Joenit Phonoamp1 phono stage into Lavardin IT into Wilson Benesch Arc.

I am willing to spend up to 1000 UKP, preferably less...

 

Have you thought about other things? You could buy a Morch for that money, it's miles better than the OL stuff, way more musical

 

VDH do sound a bit edged and lean - what about a nice ortofon kontrapunkt or jubilee?

 

the only benz I have heard is the glider II, and its a fantastic cartridge. I'd love one personally.

keep your eyes open for european and american shops selling cartridges at 40% of UK RRP.

I got my Kontrapunkt (a £500 cart) for £300.

 

My bro got a kontapunkt b for 350 - thats about half price.

 

Don't forget Shelter 901. Available for well under £1K

 

how would you describe the sound of the shelter?

 

I don't really want to comment too much on that as I am waiting for a sample for assessment. Nevertheless having heard a Kuzma Ref on a number of occasions, I would say it has a touch of warmth and magic in the midrange whilst delivering detail and control at both frequency extremes. All in all I have been impressed but await a real trial

 

There are so many possible other reasons why you aren't getting a full sound the cartrdge is about the LAST place to look.

For a start how well matched is your phono stage?

 

Get a better arm.

 

I'd agree, good as the RB300 is, I don't think you're getting the best from the cartridge. the arm would be first on my list.

 

I have heard the RB300 on different turntables perform magically... WITHOUT any of the 'edge enhancement' I am getting now...

My phono stage is just very very neutral, nothing euphonic and nothing edgy. Has anyone actually compared an Origin Live RB300 with another arm?

 

Maybe the Frog is croaking. It's your choice, though

PS photos can be deceptive - and no doubt that's the case here, but you arm looks to be "up" at the front. Not good if that were to be the case.

 

Looks like I am going to have to try another cartridge and see if it solves anything...

In fact, with 180 g it is level, with 120 g it is sloping towards the back.

 

What you have described is the classic vdh sound I have heard with the colibri and grasshopper. Changing the arm wont change that. My bro is using an ortofon kb in the OL rega rb300 and it sounds great.

 

I am right in thinking when the stylus goes on these fancy cartridges its going to cost £500 to replace?

 

yep.....though the maker normally does a heafty trade in deal.

 

Seconded. I'm in love with the Shelter 901 that replaced a Frog Gold on my Kuzma Stabi.

 

I will look into Shelter. More recommendations for Benz or any others?

 

Another vote for getting rid of the OL RB300 regardless of what vdh carts sound like.