Dinu Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 Audio gurus, I need advice on whether to choose a modern or vintage cartridge. I own two turntables: a Technics SL1200 Mk2 for my son, encouraging him to explore analog over digital, and a Luxman PD121 for my own listening. Both had issues with speed stability and channel imbalance, but I've resolved all of them and they're now fully functional. I'm seeking recommendations for a cartridge. I recently heard the Ortofon Blue and Black series, which sounded excellent for modern recordings, but I felt they lacked emotional depth—perhaps too analytical and not musical enough. My son, however, enjoyed them. Could you also recommend some vintage cartridges suitable for my luxman turntable? I’ve researched DECCA and EMPIRE cartridges; how do they hold up after all these years? Thank you.
Tasebass Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 Try the Nagaoka range…. Tech they use dates back to the 60’s Tase.
Dinu Posted August 23, 2024 Author Posted August 23, 2024 @Tasebass thank you!!! for your suggestion. Any particular model. MP110 / 200 / 300 etc.
Tasebass Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 16 minutes ago, Dinu said: @Tasebass thank you!!! for your suggestion. Any particular model. MP110 / 200 / 300 etc. I went the MP500 which I find behaves more like a Moving Coil than Moving Magnet .. sweet spot seems to be the MP200.. Be aware the output voltages on all models are quite low for MM’s Have fun!! Tase P.S. Check out Grado carts too..
Tasebass Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 Audio Technica’s AT95 range also dates back to the 70’s
cafe latte Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 The Grado opus 3 is huge value for money. Decca or London super gold is a fab cart but get a new one or one that has had a recent service Chris 1
Jebediah Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 I found the 2m bronze to be more musical and less analytical than the black, for what it's worth. A Cafe Latte fettled Denon DL103/R is next on my wishlist
aussievintage Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 4 hours ago, Jebediah said: I found the 2m bronze to be more musical and less analytical than the black, for what it's worth. Maybe but I never met an Ortofon I could really like. Personal preference, I know... 1
Full Range Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 The answer will depend on the genre of music you and your son likes because just about all cartridges have there own sound signature ( some you will like and some you won’t ) I have a soft spot for the Stanton 981 HZS and WOS 100 as they handle any genre with effortless ease But if possible choose a cart with a microline stylus for best results
marcusD Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 Shure v15iii with a upgraded stylus is a hell of a good vintage cart, but it really requires a light tonearm to sing 3
andyr Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 3 hours ago, Full Range said: I have a soft spot for the Stanton 981 HZS and WOS 100 as they handle any genre with effortless ease I lurve my WOS CS100! It's mounted in a Magnepan 'Unitrac' tonearm (7gm eff. weight). 1
Full Range Posted August 24, 2024 Posted August 24, 2024 3 minutes ago, andyr said: I lurve my WOS CS100! It's mounted in a Magnepan 'Unitrac' tonearm (7gm eff. weight). Yes a superb cartridge - I love mine as well Hey Andy I’m just looking for a replacement stylus and the only one that fits the high speck is the LA gear offering- and I’m fairly sure that the 981 HZS stylus is also used on the WOS CS100 https://www.lpgear.com/product/STA981HZS.html
andyr Posted August 25, 2024 Posted August 25, 2024 (edited) 12 hours ago, Full Range said: Hey Andy I’m just looking for a replacement stylus and the only one that fits the high speck is the LA gear offering- and I’m fairly sure that the 981 HZS stylus is also used on the WOS CS100 https://www.lpgear.com/product/STA981HZS.html I bought one of those when I bought my WOS CS100 - as I wasn't prepared to gamble on how much use the stylus had had. But then I read some review that said these LP Gear replacements weren't as good-sounding as the original ... so I had it re-tipped, instead. So I would recommend sending it up to Chris - @cafe latte - to get your existing assembly re-tipped. But if you need to watch your dollars - I'm happy to sell you mine for $105, plus postage. It's unused - and it says "CS100" on the box (not "981HZS"). Edited August 25, 2024 by andyr
Full Range Posted August 25, 2024 Posted August 25, 2024 3 minutes ago, andyr said: I bought one of those when I bought my WOS CS100 - as I wasn't prepared to gamble on how much use the stylus had had. But then I read some review that said these LP Gear replacements weren't as good-sounding as the original ... so I had it re-tipped, instead. So I would recommend sending it up to Chris - @cafe latte - to get your existing assembly re-tipped. But if you need to watch your dollars - I'm happy to sell you mine for $105, plus postage. It's unused. I had @cafe latte replace the canterlever and retip my Audio Technica ATML170 cartridge not long ago But thanks for the offer I will contact you via PM about it
Dinu Posted August 25, 2024 Author Posted August 25, 2024 Thank you!!! gurus, for your suggestions and guidance. I have been reading about the Empire 4000D / III and DECCA cartridges. Has anyone used these cartridges? If so, please share your opinions on them, particularly any drawbacks of using vintage options. If I purchase these vintage cartridges and upgrade them with a modern stylus like the Jico SAS, will it improve the sound quality? These styluses are not inexpensive. Would retipping the original stylus be a more reasonable option? My listening primarily focuses on regional music, country, blues, and jazz.
ReliaBill EngR Posted August 28, 2024 Posted August 28, 2024 (edited) On 25/8/2024 at 2:28 AM, Dinu said: Thank you!!! gurus, for your suggestions and guidance. I have been reading about the Empire 4000D / III and DECCA cartridges. Has anyone used these cartridges? If so, please share your opinions on them, particularly any drawbacks of using vintage options. If I purchase these vintage cartridges and upgrade them with a modern stylus like the Jico SAS, will it improve the sound quality? These styluses are not inexpensive. Would retipping the original stylus be a more reasonable option? My listening primarily focuses on regional music, country, blues, and jazz. I’m not sure Jico makes any styli for Empire carts. I have 16 Empire carts, from 1959 through the 1982 600LAC, including the 2000Z, 2000X, EDR.9, 2000E, 4000D, 66X, and others. Styli are the limiting factor. Took me 5 years to find an Uber rare NOS NIB S917E for the 2000X cart; it’s a low inductance cart, similar to the 4000D series. But great cartridges! A Shure M97 Era IV cart would be a great vintage cart to use. Styli are much more readily available, it has a flat linear response, great imaging, great dynamics. Not highly colored, but not “analytical” like the Ortofon carts. Also, Jico makes a range of nudes and SAS styli for it. I use the original Shure N97HE, but I also have a Jico SAS/B for it. The Jico adds a different level of performance to it, which I prefer, by a lot, over the Ortofon Black. It has the “fullness” of sound the Black is lacking, yet loses nothing in detail, bass, or treble extension and smoothness. BTW: I use a medium mass tonearm with all of these carts and they play extremely well. No tracking or resonance issues. Edited August 28, 2024 by ReliaBill EngR
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