Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to rec.audio.high-end
[email protected] petersmith@soaringmuseum.org is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Low-Output MC Coils

I have a MMF-5 turntable that came with a Goldring 1012 cartridge. I'd
like to upgrade to a low-output moving coil cartridge for about
$200-$600. My AVA Ultra SL preamp has a phono stage, and I have an
Audio Interface CST-80 step-up transformer that I haven't used for a
while. I'm in the late stages of building Orion loudspeakers. I listen
almost exclusively to classical music, and have a large lp collection
in very good condition. Advice?
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to rec.audio.high-end
Harry Lavo Harry Lavo is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,243
Default Low-Output MC Coils

wrote in message
...
I have a MMF-5 turntable that came with a Goldring 1012 cartridge. I'd
like to upgrade to a low-output moving coil cartridge for about
$200-$600. My AVA Ultra SL preamp has a phono stage, and I have an
Audio Interface CST-80 step-up transformer that I haven't used for a
while. I'm in the late stages of building Orion loudspeakers. I listen
almost exclusively to classical music, and have a large lp collection
in very good condition. Advice?


The MMF-5 has a Rega arm that is medium mass.

The Denon 103 which is the "conventional" reccomendation is thus not
well-matched, as it really only is at its best in a medium-high mass arm.

Thee good possibilities close to your price range come to mind:

* The Shelter 501 ($850) or its newer, younger sibling, the 301 ($500). The
501 is considered by many (including myself) as the overachiever in the
under-$1000 category. Haven't heard the 301, but it is supposed to be
similar sounding, and is definitely in your price range.

* The Dynavector 17D2 for about $600. This is a truly neutral, fast (good
transient response) MC. I owned one for years, and am sorry I sold it. Has
a rigid diamond stylus. In terms of "sophistication" vs. cost, it is the
value leader in the under-$1000 field, IMO.

* The Benz Glider L. The Glider was and to many is still the high-output
recommendation in the under-$1000 field. The low-output "L" version at
about $800 should sound even better (I have not heard it). Benz has
recently launced a cheaper version called "the Ace" also available in a low
output version for about $500. It won an Abso!ute Sound "Editors Choice"
award in its price category.

If you are using the step-up transformer, then this will play a key role.
Before you buy find out what the output resistance of the MC cartridge
is...and what the input restance is of the transformer. They need to match
pretty closely to get top-quality sound. I've heard pretty awful sound from
mismatchs...a moving-coil headamp is more forgiving in this regard, where
50-100 ohms can pretty well handle any low-output MC with decent results.

Hope this helps, and have fun choosing.

  #5   Report Post  
Posted to rec.audio.high-end
John C John C is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Low-Output MC Coils

On 14 Jul 2006 23:22:24 GMT, "Harry Lavo" wrote:



The MMF-5 has a Rega arm that is medium mass.

The Music Hall tables have Pro-Ject arms, not Rega


  #6   Report Post  
Posted to rec.audio.high-end
[email protected] petersmith@soaringmuseum.org is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Low-Output MC Coils

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
wrote:

I have a MMF-5 turntable that came with a Goldring 1012 cartridge. I'd
like to upgrade to a low-output moving coil cartridge for about
$200-$600. My AVA Ultra SL preamp has a phono stage, and I have an
Audio Interface CST-80 step-up transformer that I haven't used for a
while. I'm in the late stages of building Orion loudspeakers. I listen
almost exclusively to classical music, and have a large lp collection
in very good condition. Advice?


I love the sound of this cartridge:
http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....2&category=370
(Dynavector 19a)


Thanks to all who replied. Harry's advice was exactly the kind of
information I was looking for. I've had my eye on the Dynavector 19a
for some time, and Jenn's recommendation is persuasive, as I suspect
our listening habits & priorities are very similar. Also, its impedance
(30 ohms) closely matches that of my step-up transformer (40 ohms). So
that's probably what I'll get, when the budget allows. Again, thanks to
all.
  #7   Report Post  
Posted to rec.audio.high-end
Harry Lavo Harry Lavo is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,243
Default Low-Output MC Coils

"John C" wrote in message
...
On 14 Jul 2006 23:22:24 GMT, "Harry Lavo" wrote:



The MMF-5 has a Rega arm that is medium mass.

The Music Hall tables have Pro-Ject arms, not Rega


I stand corrected. But they are medium mass.

Reply
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Strawman, Constructed and Destroyed-Williamson's Folly? [email protected] Audio Opinions 45 July 22nd 05 08:09 PM
S.E.X. amplifier review by Andre Jute from Glass Audio [email protected] Vacuum Tubes 0 May 26th 05 09:24 PM
Question for the Ferstlerian George M. Middius Audio Opinions 556 May 2nd 05 11:58 PM
KISS Amp Score Card John Byrns Vacuum Tubes 42 March 16th 05 11:06 PM
KISS 117 by Andre Jute Andre Jute Vacuum Tubes 26 December 8th 04 11:51 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:58 PM.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AudioBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Audio and hi-fi"