Future cartridge thoughts

[Nigel]

OK,

When it's time to replace your current cartridge are you going to replace it with what your currently using or do you desire an upgrade?

What's currently taking your fancy?

When my time comes strong contenders are going to be the Denon DL304 & Audio Technica AT33PTG.

[Deleted]

I'd have to audition the AT33PTG when the time comes. Seems to be a natural progression/replacement from the ATOC9mlII which I have now, with very positive impressions thus far.

I have heard the 304, only in a Linn, the combination was not to my taste, too dark.

[pjc68]

My gf bought me a sumiko bluepoint no2 mc cartridge for xmas, im,e going to put it on mt tt tomorrow, cant wait.
Anyone tried one of these before, they get good reveiws.
paddy

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2010 20:37:26 GMT pjc68 said:

My gf bought me a sumiko bluepoint no2 mc cartridge for xmas, im,e going to put it on mt tt tomorrow, cant wait.
Anyone tried one of these before, they get good reveiws.
paddy

Yeah, I had one on a Pro-ject Classic, suited it very well. I still have it tucked away in its box, after I sold on the Pro-ject.

[pjc68]

Hi cjarchez
The output on this cartridge is 2.5mv so it will be going to go in the
mm input on the xcan xlps phono stage.
I have a rega p2 with rb250 arm and the full ringmat system, the
sumiko is supposed to be a good synergy with the rega arm, i have
a ortofon 520 mk2 at the moment, the sumiko will blow the ortofon
away
paddy

[Deleted]

Paddy,

You are right, strangely I also replaced an Ortofon 520II on the Pro-ject (popped back on when sold). I'm sure you will enjoy it, and yes, best to use the mm input.

Chris

ps you'll be wanting to modify the XLPS next, and so the rot begins, welcome to the spiral of madness

[pjc68]

Chris
isnt that a coincidence that you had a 520 mk2 as well, i had a 510
before that, how better did you find the sumiko over the ortofon.
As for the spiral of madness your right there, i originally joined this
forum to order tubes and parts for my xcan v2 and now have allready
bought tesla goldpin tubes to see if they sound better (will be going
in tomorrow) and a couple of mods for my superllux 681,s, as for the
xlps i was thinking would changing the caps and diodes make any
difference, were will this madness stop.
paddy

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2010 23:13:23 GMT pjc68 said:

Chris
isnt that a coincidence that you had a 520 mk2 as well,

Spooky huh. They were/are? fitted to many decks as standard from the factory.

how better did you find the sumiko over the ortofon.

Chalk and cheese really, a very worthwhile upgrade and my amp then was far less discerning than my present one.

So is that Sumiko on yet? Nice and easy to set up with all those straight edges.
I found mine...



If the pinkie upgrades to the the XLPS are any where near as good as the XCAN Vn then I'd say full steam ahead.

To quote ELO...

Sometimes you get caught in a trap and you don't know it
Sometimes it's better to get out while you know it
Some people never learn they keep on falling
You can never get out if you keep on stalling

Then you get,

(chorus:) caught in a trap caught in dead end
Caught in a trap with nowhere to run
Then you get, caught in a trap caught in dead end
Nowhere to turn but it can't go on

Caught in a trap

Sometimes you got to know where to run for cover
Sometimes your better out till the heat is over

Ah you get (chorus)

Caught in a trap

Don't know how it happened but then it's too late
Then you gotta move on the times, you can't wait

Cus you got (chorus)

[pjc68]

When i first bought the rega it come with no cartridge, i bought a
ortofon 510 mk2 had that for about 2 years then bought the 520 mk2
and have had that for about 7 years, took the 520 off today and the
needle still looks ok (have to look under magnifying glass) and i still
have the 510 as well and that looks ok.
I put the bluepoint no2 on today and got the tracking weight around
1.9-2 grams, yes everything i put on sounded better,better bass and treble, better dynamics, focus and imaging, better separation between
instruments and voices, better clarity and tonality, smoother, there was a bit of brightness in the treble and a bit of boom in the bass,
plus the balance was slightly forward, but i put this down to being
a brand new needle, i can tell that when it,s settled down it,s going to be well better than the ortofon.
I leave my hifi on 24/7 so after around 500 hours it will sound a lot
better.
Chris did yours sound like like i have described mine and then go
on to sound sweeter.
Songs used for testing
The beatles- all you need is love, when im,e 64
David bowie- join the gang, she's got medals
Tomita- firebird
Django reinhardt and stephane grapelli- paper moon
Tom petty- face in the crowd
Thats all i had time to listen to before going to work to do a late.
paddy

[Deleted]

Slightly different for me, different deck/amp/speakers/ears blah blah.

Initially mine gave the greater HF content I required with slighly bloated bass, once run in a bit I cranked back on the tracking weight, approx. 0.1, (nearer the 1.8 mark IIRC ) which was the best it sounded for me.