And finally she agrees to a turntable!

[Sol]

I've been trying to convince my wife that a turntable is in order. I've a friend with a Voyd Valdi - I posted months ago about this - but the turntable is with her brother, and he's been a little slow at bringing it round. Slow! I could describe him as slower than a sloth with a snail up it's backside!

Anyhow ... looks like the New Year will bring a Valdi for trial at my place. I've been also looking at LP12s, and have a watch on the ubiquitous SL1210. Either way I hope to have a turntable sorted early next year.

So ... I need to get a phono stage sorted, and obviously have been eyeing up Graham's pre-release 2008 reflex. I've procrastinated as I'm unsure which version to buy - the MM or the MC. reading between the lines an MM version will be fine, but Grahams recommendation of a high output MC cartridge has me confused!

Help!

Should I wait until the New year and see what the turntable has, or should I just stump up for a reflex MM or MC now? If the AT95E cartridge recomemended by Graham for use with the SL1210 is high output MC, does that meen you use it with the MM version of the Green Reflex, or for that matter with the MM selection on other phono stages?

Sol 'rather new to this analogue stuff'

[leo]

Congrats Sol! I'm afraid I can't help because I know next to bugger all about TT's, I've heard quite a lot different bits of kit but thats about it.
I have heard a SL1210 with a cheap AT MM and a Reflex (I think) , IMHO it sounded great! very natural but detailed sound, deep bass and excellent timing

[Nigel]

Good luck Sol. You can't beat a vinyl front end.

[fanboi]

Sol,
firstly, the AT95e is an MM cartridge and fine with Reflex MM
Reflex MM is also suitable for High Output MC cartridges such as the Denon DL110/160 and various others.
If you wanted to use a Low Output MC cartridge then you would need the Reflex MC version (which I gather is more or less the Fanfare)
Grahams recommendation to me for low output MC was the Reflex with the Elevator Exp.
More money than I have had yet, I run a low output Denon DL103 MC into a Denon step-up transformer and then the Reflex.
I would suggest the normal Reflex for you, then if you later want to go Low Output MC you can add a step-up transformer as I have or splash out for the Exp.

[Sol]

thanks guys ... sound advice

OK an order to Graham for the MM reflex will be on it's way.

I'll report back when I eventually get the set up going!

[serverbaboon]

Dynavector do a couple of High output moving coils, I am on the verge of trying the DV-20XH. The DVX 10x5 gets some good write ups.

I emailed Graham sometime ago when I got my 2SE asking about my current reson reca or high output mc and he replied.

If you like the Reson, try the Goldring 1042 (same inards). High OP MCs sound good with the SE - I've heard nothing but praise for the Dynavectors.

[fanboi]

It may just be my personal preference, but I got a Dynavector DV 10x5 with less than 50 hrs with my T/T over 12 months ago, while it certainly did nothing wrong, I found that I preferred the much cheaper Denon DL-110 (currently < $AUD 150 from Germany inc postage v $AUD 499 from DV Aust).
My impression from that time (and I may yet revisit it for a second look) was that it was very sweet and smooth but lacking in punch and excitement - it did not have that "hey listen to this" quality, that would grab your attention, or the same dynamic sort of presentation.
Bit too laid back for my taste.
The only slightly more expensive DL-160 has a more refined stylus although reputedly not quite the same drive.
That I like the Denon house sound can be seen from the fact that I have now moved to a DL-103 low output MC and would agree with Werner ( www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/denon-dl103_e.html) in his assesment of this cartridge as "powerful and enthusiastic".

Even with the additional expense of a Denon AU300LC stepup transformer to lift its output to a level sufficient for the Reflex this cartridge still cost less than 60% of the Dynavector.

What I am getting at is, that, if you are looking at HOMCs, then not to audition the Denon offerings at least, is perhaps missing what many perceive to be the best "bang for the buck" available.

I will note also, that in order to get the best from the DL-103 on my Michell Tecnoarm, I have followed the recommendations that can be found WRT "mass loading" and added 5.5 grams to the cartridge body.

[serverbaboon]

A dealer I was talking to recently also suggested the Sumiko Blue Point Special over the DV 10X5.

[XTRProf]

If you are looking for a "cheap" mc, don't forget to have a look at the Benz MC20E2 as well. This has a LO and a HO version. So take you pick. Stereophile rated it class C, the same as Sumiko BPS and Dynavector DV10. Review here:


stereophile.com/phonocartridges/907benz/



Hope this is your type of sound.