cafe67 Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) I guess this one has been asked before, but hopefully I have done a better job than just "whats the best cartridge for a rega ?" Have started listening to a bit more vinyl lately and noticing the limitations of the Elyse cartridge (muddied indistinct bass, so-so mid range) So would like to get something better - my LSA intergrated amp has a good phono amp, but MM only so its either one of them or a high output MC. Budget around $500. Ortofon 2m Bronze MM - maybe, but reviews seem variable. Rega Exact - obvious fit but again reviews seem variable. Dynavector 10x5 - seems well regarded, possibly leaning towards this one. Goldring seem to make a couple that fit the bill - the 1042 MM and the Eroica home. I don't know much about them tho, seem popular in the UK? Benz do the silver homc. Again don't know much about them. At this time I would prefer not to use a external phono stage or SUT. But just to put a fly in an ointment, the ortofon 2m black whilst being expensive does get very good reviews and while it could be over kill for a rega planar 3, it could be a good long term proposition ? Any thoughts or considerations very appreciated. Thank you Edited July 1, 2013 by cafe67
Chill3 Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 IMO Dynavector or Black if you can stretch budget. Never heard the Benz so some one else may jump in on that one
cheekyboy Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Hi cafe67, I would recommend the Ortofon 2M Black for a MM cartridge if you can extend your budget to it. For a HOMC, the Denon DL 110 is worth consideration too. Cheers, Keith
Batty Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Wot Cheeky said, plus the Goldring 1042 (I had one for years).
coldandwet Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Another one to consider is the Sumiko Blue Point no 2 for a high output MC.... I have a Rega 5 and that did me really well, was a big upgrade from the Eylse which i haven't used again since
Batty Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 I had the Blue Point Special with Soundsmith retip, very nice.
ericd Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 I have thought about the 2M black but then read this: "Because its Shibata stylus is sensitive to rake angle, the 2M Black should be used only with tonearms that permit adjustments of VTA and SRA". (link to source) Anyone found this to be a problem using this cart on the Rega P3?
cheekyboy Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 VTA and SRA are one in the same thing. What tonearms are out there that the VTA/SRA can't be adjusted? Cheers, Keith
cafe67 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) Lol my one sort of, short of using shims :-) I guess I'll have consider the wisdom of spending $700-$800 for the black on a TT that cost about the same :-) Edited July 2, 2013 by cafe67
cheekyboy Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Lol my one sort of, short of using shims :-) I guess I'll have consider the wisdom of spending $700-$800 for the black on a TT that cost about the same :-) If you use shims to raise or lower the base of your tonearm, you're adjusting VTA and also SRA. I use a 2M Black on my back arm and can highly recommend it. Cheers, Keith
ericd Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 VTA and SRA are one in the same thing. What tonearms are out there that the VTA/SRA can't be adjusted? Cheers, Keith yeah, for a clumsy klutz like myself, also with a (non-VTA adjustable) Rega 301 tonearm, the thought of having to install the spacers so I can adjust the VTA is just too stressful .
myskylab Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 if your after a Ortofon 2M black try this guy $558 to your door its ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271228968757?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
myskylab Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Hi Geoff, the 2 m black looked like a good deal and the feed back is great cheers Tim
cheekyboy Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 yeah, for a clumsy klutz like myself, also with a (non-VTA adjustable) Rega 301 tonearm, the thought of having to install the spacers so I can adjust the VTA is just too stressful . Yeah, B, with those arms you will need to use spacers, or start adding or removing platter mats! I've owned several Rega decks and I've had to use spacers to adjust VTA and it is a relatively easy job to do. Also, depending on what cartridge you're using, you will more than likely need to adjust the VTA at some point. Cheers, Keith
Anthony John Colbert Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 i had a 2m blue on my Planar 3 without using spacers...but i think it really needed one. The rega carts are 15mm tall and the 2M carts are 18mm. I was told the DONT need a spacer, but lots of other people say a 2mm spacer is just about ideal.
Midori Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 Anyone put in a spacer for a Rega deck? Is it a technically challenging/risky task?
Batty Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) I don't use spacers but I use 2 nuts so you can adjust height but it leaves the thread exposed. This is with an RB250 sent via experia Z Edited July 3, 2013 by Batty
evil c Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 Anyone put in a spacer for a Rega deck? Is it a technically challenging/risky task? Risky if you leave the cartridge on the arm! Generally you just need to loosen nut underneath the plinth( approx 22mm dia.) lift up arm with two wires through the hole - slip one or two 2mm spacers depending on cart over the wires, lower back through hole and re-tighten nut. I had to buy a sleeved nut and enlarge the hole slightly for there to be enough thread to screw up.
cafe67 Posted August 3, 2013 Author Posted August 3, 2013 I ended up getting s 2m black, only just got it, but so far less muddy bass/tighter bass and treble is lovely - listening to dead can dance at the moment 2
buddyev Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 Has anyone tried the Rega Exact II. It comes installed on the RP6.
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