ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 I'm getting a new cartridge for my Planar 3 RB200 and trying to chosse between the older Ortofon FF15XE Mk2 or the Audio Technica AT95E. Any ideas please? cheers
joe90 Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 hi ziffle i have had over 22 years experience with regas of all types the ortofon is a tad light weight the at95e is more balanced but not easy to get you might like to consider the Grado black, it is not that expensive around $100 and easy to get stylii for later and a fantastic sound for the money you say you have an RB200 arm on you P3, what is the age of the deck? i would have thought an RB250 Or 300 maybe hope this helps Radar
Papa Hemi Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Lots of stylii options with AT95E, this thread has some discussion: http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24367
Papa Hemi Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 how could you go wrong? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Turntables/auction-298896803.htm
Omegaspeedy Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Papa Hemi;126188 wrote: Lots of stylii options with AT95E, this thread has some discussion: http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24367 Reading that it sounds like a no brainer!! The AT95 is a sweet little beast. Like the Pioneer A400 and the Wharfedale 9.1's and the little Ampino it is exceptional value for money for the performance given. Might get one myself for the next project.
Citroen Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 I've bought several 95e's from Jansens (and a couple from an AudioEnz member), as they are a great all round cartridge that seems to suit a lot of different decks. Its the one I usually recommend to friends looking in that price range.
Papa Hemi Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 New thread idea; My hi-fi cost less than yours, I might win that one.
Nak-Mad Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 I'm with Radar. The Ortofon won't set your world on fire.. probably to sleep instead... the AT95e is nice, a better start point than the FF15, but a Grado is the way to go for a bit of 'zing'...good dynamics..... but then I'm biased..... love Grado's.. second only to Decca's.
Nak-Mad Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 papa hemi;126197 wrote: new thread idea; my hi-fi cost less than yours, i might win that one. .
ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 Thanks for the info guys, because my amp is just the little rega Brio I wondered if I should opt for a higher output cartridge than the AT95E. Got any ideas at the same money? cheers
Nak-Mad Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 At the end of the day, I don't think it going to make a lot of difference.. with the AT95E you will have to tweak the volume control around a bit further relative to a higher output cartridge.. but if it all goes loud enough...? The Grado Black is a 5mV output tracer, the AT95e around 3.5mV and I would think the Rega phono input will be in the stock 4-5mV range...
ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 cheers Nak-Mad so does this mean that there will be very little difference in volume between these two - or the Grado Black which is an option. I have read about hum from Grado particulalry with Rega so that makes me nervous
joe90 Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 i still say don't count the grado out it matches the brio really well tonally and suits most decks and arms as well easy to get stylii and good support from the NZ distributor
ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 Rega Brio specs say - Phono input sensitivity = 3mV @ 47KΩ in parallel with 100pF.
Owen Y Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 ziffle;126216 wrote: Thanks for the info guys, because my amp is just the little rega Brio I wondered if I should opt for a higher output cartridge than the AT95E. Hi ziffle, This may depend on your spkrs... what spkrs? The amp/spkr combo is key.
ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 BTW Radar, yes it is definitely the old RB200 arm on my Planar 3
ziffle Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 Owen they are Mordunt Short but I cant remember the model number right now sorry. Plenty of quality volume via CD but more muted with vinyl. I have been using a cheap arse Denon turntable until now with 2.5mV output so am picking that no matter what it will be mile better than that - and yep I'm a little short on knowledge here
joe90 Posted June 24, 2010 Posted June 24, 2010 ziffle;126221 wrote: cheers Nak-Mad so does this mean that there will be very little difference in volume between these two - or the Grado Black which is an option. I have read about hum from Grado particulalry with Rega so that makes me nervous i have also heard about this hum, but after fitting over 50 grados to rega i have not experienced it at all! i am not saying it wont happen but i have not had it happen yet i have fitted a rega silver to a rega 3 running through brio some time ago and it sounds amazing and does not have any issues with input or hum hope this helps radar
Nak-Mad Posted June 24, 2010 Posted June 24, 2010 radar;126234 wrote: i have also heard about this hum, but after fitting over 50 grados to rega i have not experienced it at all! i am not saying it wont happen but i have not had it happen yet i have fitted a rega silver to a rega 3 running through brio some time ago and it sounds amazing and does not have any issues with input or hum hope this helps radar Grado's are prone to hum pick up, but IME, this is usually a problem associated with Grado's and DD turntables.. won't (shouldn't ) get it with a Rega, Thorens, Linn etc. I have only experienced it with my SP25, SL120 and similar.. and looking at earthing arrangements usually fixes it...and Grado's have nothing on a Decca for hum pickup :eek:
joe90 Posted June 24, 2010 Posted June 24, 2010 ziffle;126225 wrote: BTW Radar, yes it is definitely the old RB200 arm on my Planar 3 cheers for that the reason for my querie re the arm was not very many were in NZ with the 200 arm, because avalon were the importers most of the earlier ones seemed to have linn basic arms fitted sales for these took off in and around 84/85 and mostly had the RB300. The RB200 arm was made for rega by acos in japan and fitted from around 1977 to 1983 when they changed to the RB300 the 200 was and is still very well regarded bearing isues are rare with these and they are very under rated you should have no issues then with the AT or the Grado best of luck with your quest
ziffle Posted June 24, 2010 Author Posted June 24, 2010 Thanks to all you guys, I have chosen the AT95E (but still wonder about that higher output Grado, hmm) and am hoping it will be great once set up. As I said earlier I expect it will be light years ahead of the poxy Denon I have currently.
Recommended Posts