Mallette Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 (edited) Like the looks and comments on the Grado Sonata 1. Price is in my comfort zone, and the PAW loved the Signature when I got it in the 90s. Plus, seems to be a good choice for VPI Scout. Anybody have experience? Dave Edited February 16, 2014 by Mallette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David H Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Dave, I have done some research, and although this cart sounds great on my deck, it may not be well suited for the VPI. The Grado is an un shielded cartridge, you will likely experience audible hum from the motor on the VPI. Most of the recommendation I see on other forums recommend the use of the Dynavector. Grado actually made a 1.5mv version of their cart specifically for VPI, and still there were complains about noise. I forgot to mention 1 cartridge I used with good success, the Sumiko Blue point 2 and EVO-III both very similar a pleasure to listen to, and no noise what so ever on Project RM-5 or 6.1 tables. The table I used the Grado on was a Basis Signature with a Grahm tonearm. No noise. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 The Denon 160 (they do not make them anymore) is a HOMC and is very good when set up properly. It is low compliance so it will not work with your arm, but a great bargain cart. Always really liked it. It is a shame that they stopped making them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I've got an Ortofon 2M Blue on my Delphi tt and an Ortofon 2M Black on my Premier tt. They both sound great, and should work on your set up. The 2M Black is considered by many to be the best MM cart out there. I prefer it over my $1800.00 Koetsu Black MC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 I have a Shelter 90x with a Soundsmith retip. Not used very much at all, I will let it go for $1300. Sounds like a heckuva deal, but above my comfort zone. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 The Grado is an un shielded cartridge, you will likely experience audible hum from the motor on the VPI. My understanding was this wasn't much of an issue except on DD turntables. There was some hum when I used the Signature on my Rotel, but I don't recall it being so pronounced on the VPI. However, point taken... The Ortonfon 2M Black looks like a candidate. User reviews are uniformly 5 star and the price, while "highish" remains in my comfort zone, if at the edge. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 Okies, I've emailed NeedleDoctor asking for MM recommendations for a VPI Scout. I did not tell them anything I was considering as I wanted to hear what they think without my own suggestions coloring them. Looking forward to what they have to say, and will duly report. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Response from Needle Doctor: Hey, Dave. Here's the first cartridge that comes to mind:http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge It's a high output moving coil, so it doesn't need step up. It can be usedas an MM in terms of your preamp. It's a great match for the Scout, too. If you'd rather stick with a conventional MM, here's my top choice in yourbudget range:http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Black-Phono-Cartridge Be in touch, I'd love to help! Thanks,Brian I responded with the group thinking on HOMC, which makes sense to me and that he hit the nail on the head with the Ortofon. Looks like the Ortofon unless someone can show just cause why not! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I have a Shelter 90x with a Soundsmith retip. Not used very much at all, I will let it go for $1300. Sounds like a heckuva deal, but above my comfort zone. Dave No problem, just thought that I would throw it out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 No problem, just thought that I would throw it out there. ...and much appreciated! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Response from Needle Doctor: Hey, Dave. Here's the first cartridge that comes to mind: http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge It's a high output moving coil, so it doesn't need step up. It can be used as an MM in terms of your preamp. It's a great match for the Scout, too. If you'd rather stick with a conventional MM, here's my top choice in your budget range: http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Black-Phono-Cartridge Be in touch, I'd love to help! Thanks, Brian I responded with the group thinking on HOMC, which makes sense to me and that he hit the nail on the head with the Ortofon. Looks like the Ortofon unless someone can show just cause why not! Dave those are precisely the two I would have recommended for you in that comfort zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Well, I was actually considering the next Dynavector up. But the comments here about HOMCs squelched that as the arguments make sense. For me, I just don't see the extra expense and fiddle factor of MC being worth it. MM been berry, berry good to Dave. My first serious TT/cart was a Stanton Gyropoise. 98.00, if I recall. Stanton 681 on a simple table designed specifically for it with the cart permanently and correctly attached as one piece to the arm. The only mechanical connection was a shaft, and the turntable and base had opposing ring magnets that floated it. Simple, ingenious design. Cool thing is I still enjoy it. I made some R2R with it that still sounds better than the modern re-masters of stuff like Dark Side, Alan Parsons, etc. Anyway, the Ortofon is a target acquired at the moment unless I really get a better steer. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 (edited) great... get it and let us hear back as to how it is working out. you can always resell those dynavectors and step up later if you want to, they hold value fairly well. I am in the middle of putting together a mono system and am toying with the idea of picking up that single Klipschorn for sale in the sale section just for this set up... so I will be cart shopping sometime in the near future Edited February 17, 2014 by Schu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David H Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Anyway, the Ortofon is a target acquired at the moment unless I really get a better steer. I think you found a winner. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprinter1104 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Just saw an Ortofon Black with 20 hours on agon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 It's audioGONE... However, found one at an Aussie place NIB at 580AUD. I've queried them about total cost to Seabrook in USD. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinsweber Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Im not 1 to set up my own carts... don't have the tools. But The Grado is going to be put on my Classic 1. I had sumiko blue point 2 which worked great, but wanted to setup to MC. As Dave Said the Grado has high output and low output. I emailed VPI and got a lot of recommendations... you might try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I like the shibata tip! It's what I have on my AT. If you have any quad/stereo hybrid vinyl you will enjoy its capabilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) Gents, the Ortofon is in and... OMG4 This thing is the perfect marriage to the VPI Scout. I am not going to try to really cover the LPs I've listened to this evening, but it's the best sound I can remember. I will only mention one...DynaQuad demo disc. I had no freaking idea. I'd played it before and was really impressed. I play it tonight and realized how wrong everything went with quad, and all electronic attempts to fool mother nature. Now I am on a hunt to figure out how Hafler recorded this stuff. Steam engine starting at the front and moving off to the right rear discretely...and naturally! Bumblebee flying circles around the room. Buffy Saint Marie...seriously. Recommended? Well, DUH! Dave Edited March 5, 2014 by Mallette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicSeeker Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I bought this same one a few months ago and it seems to sound better and better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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