Phono Cartridges?
By Peter1 - usenet poster
Greetings all,
I'm looking for recommendations for phono cartridges, for dubbing LP's to CD.
I originally started with the Stanton 500ALII. It's OK but not great. Someone
suggested I should change to the Stanton 680ELII. I looked at the specs on
this one, and the frequency response is similar to the 500ALII. The 500 is
rated from 20 Hz to 17 kHz with the 680 rated from 20 Hz to 18 kHz.
Is it worth changing to the 680 or should I go with something else? Cost is a
factor here, and I don't want to spend $100.00+ on a cartridge unless I have
to. Any suggestions?
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Thanks!
Robert
Solution #1
posted on Nov 18, 2007
Don't use the preamp in the turntable or the SPDIF out to the CD recorder. Get a phono pre and use the analog inputs into the CD recorder. Better yet, get a better sound card and record in 24 bit into the computer. The 680ELII is a good cart and works well with light arms, but you have to match it with the right phono stage...namely one that wants an input of between 3 and 4mV. It also should have good lows and very detailed, delicate highs that would make an ortofon sound harsh. If you match it correctly, the Stanton is capable of blowing you away. Unfortunately, very few phono pres nowadays (even the expensive ones) match well with it. The vintage 70s-90s phonos on a lot of DJ mixers were designed for them. It sort of a shame, because it is one of the most distortion tolerant, VTA tolerant, and well tracking cartridges ever made. And it will work with practically any tonearm. Not to mention it's fairly cheap, including replacement styli. People should be designing phono preamps again that take advantage of what wonderful performance the 680ELII is capable of. Instead, you'll find it sounding too warm, dull, or gritty on a lot of them out there now.
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Solution #2
posted on Aug 02, 2007
Duke - usenet poster
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So, is the height adjustable?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
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Solution #3
posted on Aug 02, 2007
Bray - usenet poster
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I'd rather find a cartridge that works with what I have because I like the
S/PDIF digital output (especially since I bought a cart machine and had to
remove the turntable's analog output off of the mixer so I would have room ffor
the cart machine).
Robert
(Scott Dorsey) writes:
S/PDIF digital output (especially since I bought a cart machine and had to
remove the turntable's analog output off of the mixer so I would have room ffor
the cart machine).
Robert
(Scott Dorsey) writes:
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Solution #4
posted on Aug 02, 2007
Luisa_K - usenet poster
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Okay, skip the Grados completely.
If the pivot is adjustable, I'd try the AT440, otherwise I'd consider
looking at one of the Ortofon moving magnets.
Yeesh... those internal preamps are usually pretty godawful. Stay away
from moving coil cartridges, even the high output ones on those things.
The Stanton 681 is still a good choice for 78s the top end detail
is not good and it has very poor separation, but it tracks very well
on heavy arms and because it's a wide ellipse, you can get away with
massive VTA errors. The problem with the AT440 is that because it's a
fineline, VTA adjustment becomes a lot more critical.
You may wish to consider a better arm and a good outboard phono preamp too.
Right now these are seriously limiting your options for cartridges.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
If the pivot is adjustable, I'd try the AT440, otherwise I'd consider
looking at one of the Ortofon moving magnets.
Yeesh... those internal preamps are usually pretty godawful. Stay away
from moving coil cartridges, even the high output ones on those things.
The Stanton 681 is still a good choice for 78s the top end detail
is not good and it has very poor separation, but it tracks very well
on heavy arms and because it's a wide ellipse, you can get away with
massive VTA errors. The problem with the AT440 is that because it's a
fineline, VTA adjustment becomes a lot more critical.
You may wish to consider a better arm and a good outboard phono preamp too.
Right now these are seriously limiting your options for cartridges.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
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Solution #5
posted on Aug 02, 2007
M0nica L - usenet poster
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It's a standard S shaped tonearm found on turntables like the Technics
1200MKII's. Mine is made by Denon. It's the DP-DJ151.
It doesn't require an ampliffier as it has a line level output level *although
you can use an amp on it in phono level output mode, but I don't).
It even has a S/PDIFF digital output on it, which is what I use to feed my HHB
CD Recorder.
Robert
(Scott Dorsey) writes:
1200MKII's. Mine is made by Denon. It's the DP-DJ151.
It doesn't require an ampliffier as it has a line level output level *although
you can use an amp on it in phono level output mode, but I don't).
It even has a S/PDIFF digital output on it, which is what I use to feed my HHB
CD Recorder.
Robert
(Scott Dorsey) writes:
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Solution #6
posted on Aug 02, 2007
Bray - usenet poster
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What kind of arm are you using? Is it heavy or light? Can you adjust the
pivot height? Can your preamp accept an MC input?
The Grado cartridges are very impressive and have a wonderfully lush low
end, but they won't work with a lot of light modern arms. Audio Technica
makes a fineline, the AT440, which tracks better than any elliptical, but
it really helps to have adjustable pivot height. Same with the Shure V15.
Some of the Ortofon moving coils are right around that price range too, but
again they need the right arm to work.
The arm and cartridge form a resonant system together and they need to be
chosen together.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
pivot height? Can your preamp accept an MC input?
The Grado cartridges are very impressive and have a wonderfully lush low
end, but they won't work with a lot of light modern arms. Audio Technica
makes a fineline, the AT440, which tracks better than any elliptical, but
it really helps to have adjustable pivot height. Same with the Shure V15.
Some of the Ortofon moving coils are right around that price range too, but
again they need the right arm to work.
The arm and cartridge form a resonant system together and they need to be
chosen together.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
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Solution #7
posted on Aug 02, 2007
Lizzy - usenet poster
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I'd recommend the Shure M97xE, which can be found at mcminone.com & many
other sources for well under $100. Far smoother & more musical than any
Stanton ever made.
--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
#
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
...
other sources for well under $100. Far smoother & more musical than any
Stanton ever made.
--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
#
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
...
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