King Size1553552683 Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 I'm thinking of upgrading my P3-24 / TTPSU / Elys 2 set up. I can either upgrade the cartridge on its own or maybe even step up to a P5/Exact combo which I can further develop from there. Phono stage is a DV P75 mkII. Insight from fellow forum members would be appreciated. It may also help if I have an idea of the optimum and maximum cart levels for the respective TT's (assuming the P75 is a given) might be. I would assume that the P5 could justify a better cart than the P3-24, but how far can you actually take a P3-24 before it stops making sense? I am open to both MM and MC options. A low output MC would even allow me to experiment with the Dr. T mode but i'm not sure if my current deck and arm would be up to it... Thanks in advance Chris
Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 A lot of people find that the Dynavector 10x5 matches with the P3 really well.
T110 Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 Yes, I've heard that the 10x5 is a good match. I had a 10x4 on my Garrard 301 and loved it. Rega's Exact wont be out of place on the p3/24 either. I was speaking to a couple of Hi Fi retailers last month about this same topic and they both felt the p3/24 - RB301 would be capable of handling any suitable cartridge up to the $1K mark.
NeilNZ Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 Yep the 10x5 is a good match certainly, and not too expensive either.
Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 What's the budget ? A 10X5 is good but won't let you experiment with Dr T mode. Next stop on the DV food chain would be the DV20XL (low output version) for ~$1k.
Neal1553552750 Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 T110;127243 wrote: Apparently a high output 20XL is available also. Yes , I looked at the high and low outputs. I've just got the 20 in low output and I'm extermely happy with the sound I get with a modest Kenwood / Sme 3009 combo. I don't kown why I didn't do this years ago. Records that where sounding quite bad are sounding great as the stylis is stitting lower in the record grove and most of the record noise has gone now.
Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 T110;127243 wrote: Apparently a high output 20XL is available also. 20XL = low output 20XH = high output, not compatible with the P75's Dr T mode.
Gainz Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 What about the rega Apheta? Gauranteed to match a rega arm...
King Size1553552683 Posted July 11, 2010 Author Posted July 11, 2010 T110;127237 wrote: Yes, I've heard that the 10x5 is a good match. I had a 10x4 on my Garrard 301 and loved it. Rega's Exact wont be out of place on the p3/24 either. I was speaking to a couple of Hi Fi retailers last month about this same topic and they both felt the p3/24 - RB301 would be capable of handling any suitable cartridge up to the $1K mark. That's good to hear. I was thinking anything over $1k would probably be overkill.
King Size1553552683 Posted July 11, 2010 Author Posted July 11, 2010 michael w;127240 wrote: What's the budget ? A 10X5 is good but won't let you experiment with Dr T mode. Next stop on the DV food chain would be the DV20XL (low output version) for ~$1k. Flexible, I could go up to the $1k mark but can always scrimp and save a little harder if I know audio Nirvana is around the corner.
King Size1553552683 Posted July 11, 2010 Author Posted July 11, 2010 Thanks for all the input so far, it is much appreciated. Based on what has been said I can assume that the Rega Exact (MM) or DV10x5 (HMC) is the optimum for a P3 and that I could probably go as far as a DV20X before the arm/deck became the limiting factors. Is it possible to ascribe a general house sound to the various brands? (Rega, Dynavector, Ortofon, Grado, Lyra etc.) Also, any thoughts on the differing characteristics of MM vs MCH vs MCL? Someone on another forum has recommended the Lyra Dorian... Please excuse all the questions, i'm just trying to make an educated decision as it isn't really practical to try before you buy when carts are concerned.
Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 A Dorian is about $2k ? For under a kilobuck my fav MCs are the Sumiko Bluepoint Special Evo III ($650), Dynavector DV20XL/H ($1000), Denon D103R (~$700 ?). Non-MCs; Grado Platinum (wood body $699), Gold ($300).
Guest Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 Hi Chris, if it would be any help at all, you're welcome to bring your deck out to Pukekohe to compare your Elys with my Exact. I read somewhere on the net (I've been trying to find it again, but I'm darned if I can!) that, regarding the Exact and 10x5, neither is really better than the other - they just have different characteristics and it's up to you as to which you like. It was therefore suggested that the 20x would be the better upgrade (if upgrading from the Exact). This was probably more opinion than fact, but something to consider. It's a bummer you can't really try before you buy!
T110 Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 One thing to investigate Re Grado Moving Irons is that some people have experienced Hum from the cartridge as it moves closer to the motor(on Rega's). I thought at one stage I detected a little on mine however now I cant hear any.
got tinnitus Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 Exact over here. Works for me. On a good presing, still beats the pants off my Naim digital front end and I have no urge to upgrade the cart so the Exact must be doing it's job OK.
Guest Guest Posted July 11, 2010 Posted July 11, 2010 got tinnitus;127295 wrote: Exact over here. Works for me. On a good presing, still beats the pants off my Naim digital front end and I have no urge to upgrade the cart so the Exact must be doing it's job OK. Yes, I forgot to say that I really love my Exact. It seems to be a great all-rounder; I am particularly impressed with the bass and mids. I don't really know if it is better than my 904 CDP (regardless of the digital/analogue debate), just different. I know it's old and not high end but damn it's a good CDP! This could be down to my phonostage, but then it beat the crap out of the Cambridge 640p and the Rega Fono, so..........?
joe90 Posted July 12, 2010 Posted July 12, 2010 i have hadboth a DENON DL103R and a grado Platinum on my Rega and they both work well with the arm they are both different but at under $700 they are fantastic value for money now that the benz micros are available i would contemplate one of those as well they make 2 for under the $1k
got tinnitus Posted July 13, 2010 Posted July 13, 2010 Chris, did u see this Exact on TM? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Turntables/auction-302484792.htm
King Size1553552683 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Posted July 13, 2010 Hi James, yes I did thanks and am keeping an eye on it. I reckon his asking price for a cart that has an RRP of NZ$465 is a bit steep though. There is another seller who has been trying to sell one with a Buy Now of $275 since the beginning of the year and that hasn't moved either. Last time he listed it was with a start price of $250 and it still didn't sell. So clearly they aren't priced to sell.
got tinnitus Posted July 13, 2010 Posted July 13, 2010 $465 for an Exact? They have come down; I think I paid circa $600....
King Size1553552683 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Posted July 13, 2010 Yes they have come down here, so 2nd hand prices should come down too. Meanwhile the Dynavectors have gone up (the $10x5 used to be $499). A quick search of the internet seemed to throw up these prices Exact GBP249 / US$595 / NZ$465 10x5 GBP295 / US$430 / NZ$649 Based on these it would appear as if the Exact represents good value in NZ,...
Guest Guest Posted August 1, 2010 Posted August 1, 2010 http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=209411 Post #11.
King Size1553552683 Posted August 1, 2010 Author Posted August 1, 2010 Nice find Andy, that is useful info - thanks. Nice beard too:cool:
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