So, new cartridge?

[Thomas]

So I'm currently running a Sony VC-8E with a modern replacement
spherical stylus in a high-mass "optimum pivot" arm on a Thorens TD125
Mk II with Sorbothane mat. Rest of the electronics are Parasound,
driving some damn good speakers you never heard of.

I'm not dissatisfied with the sound of the Sony cartridge at all; for
a cart the same age as I am, and a high-output moving coil to boot, I
think it does a stellar job. But I'm curious whether there are any
cartridges people would recommend I look at. I've tried a lower-end
Grado before and I just didn't like it. Too dead or something. I'd get
my Decca Mk IV rebuilt but I'm reluctant to spend that much money
(though I really should).

My tonearm lift is kind of wobbly nowadays so if anyone can recommend
a good lift that doesn't cost a whole pile, that would be good, too.

Thanks.

Tom

(let's see who has a good memory ;-)

[Harry Lavo]

"Thomas" > wrote in message
...
> So I'm currently running a Sony VC-8E with a modern replacement
> spherical stylus in a high-mass "optimum pivot" arm on a Thorens TD125
> Mk II with Sorbothane mat. Rest of the electronics are Parasound,
> driving some damn good speakers you never heard of.
>
> I'm not dissatisfied with the sound of the Sony cartridge at all; for
> a cart the same age as I am, and a high-output moving coil to boot, I
> think it does a stellar job. But I'm curious whether there are any
> cartridges people would recommend I look at. I've tried a lower-end
> Grado before and I just didn't like it. Too dead or something. I'd get
> my Decca Mk IV rebuilt but I'm reluctant to spend that much money
> (though I really should).
>
> My tonearm lift is kind of wobbly nowadays so if anyone can recommend
> a good lift that doesn't cost a whole pile, that would be good, too.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tom
>
> (let's see who has a good memory ;-)
>

To start with, most moving coils today as well as other types are designed
for medium-mass arms, so you don't have much to choose from. My dim memory
seems to suggest that the Denon 103 line may still have a stiff MC designed
for high mass arm....but even a high-mass MC these days will have a line
contact styli.

You might want to consider replacing the arm with a moderate-or-lower end
medium mass arm (many good ones) which would open virtually any cartridge
you could afford to you....moving coil or moving magnet.

[Sonnova]

On Tue, 1 Dec 2009 16:30:14 -0800, Harry Lavo wrote
(in article >):

> "Thomas" > wrote in message
> ...
>> So I'm currently running a Sony VC-8E with a modern replacement
>> spherical stylus in a high-mass "optimum pivot" arm on a Thorens TD125
>> Mk II with Sorbothane mat. Rest of the electronics are Parasound,
>> driving some damn good speakers you never heard of.
>>
>> I'm not dissatisfied with the sound of the Sony cartridge at all; for
>> a cart the same age as I am, and a high-output moving coil to boot, I
>> think it does a stellar job. But I'm curious whether there are any
>> cartridges people would recommend I look at. I've tried a lower-end
>> Grado before and I just didn't like it. Too dead or something. I'd get
>> my Decca Mk IV rebuilt but I'm reluctant to spend that much money
>> (though I really should).
>>
>> My tonearm lift is kind of wobbly nowadays so if anyone can recommend
>> a good lift that doesn't cost a whole pile, that would be good, too.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>> (let's see who has a good memory ;-)
>>
>
> To start with, most moving coils today as well as other types are designed
> for medium-mass arms, so you don't have much to choose from. My dim memory
> seems to suggest that the Denon 103 line may still have a stiff MC designed
> for high mass arm....but even a high-mass MC these days will have a line
> contact styli.
>
> You might want to consider replacing the arm with a moderate-or-lower end
> medium mass arm (many good ones) which would open virtually any cartridge
> you could afford to you....moving coil or moving magnet.
>

I actually have a Sony VC-8E. believe me, the Sumiko Blue Point #2 is MUCH
better and only three bills.

[nebulax[_4_]]

If you really want to hang on to that high-mass arm, you might want to
find a vintage new-old-stock cartridge to go with it. Here's one place
to start looking - http://adelcom.net/cartridge.htm .

=3DNeb


On Dec 1, 9:16=A0am, Thomas > wrote:
> So I'm currently running a Sony VC-8E with a modern replacement
> spherical stylus in a high-mass "optimum pivot" arm on a Thorens TD125
> Mk II with Sorbothane mat. Rest of the electronics are Parasound,
> driving some damn good speakers you never heard of.
>
> I'm not dissatisfied with the sound of the Sony cartridge at all; for
> a cart the same age as I am, and a high-output moving coil to boot, I
> think it does a stellar job. But I'm curious whether there are any
> cartridges people would recommend I look at. I've tried a lower-end
> Grado before and I just didn't like it. Too dead or something. I'd get
> my Decca Mk IV rebuilt but I'm reluctant to spend that much money
> (though I really should).
>
> My tonearm lift is kind of wobbly nowadays so if anyone can recommend
> a good lift that doesn't cost a whole pile, that would be good, too.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tom
>
> (let's see who has a good memory ;-)