jcmusic Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Hi guys, I am looking for a new cartridge for my Luxman PD 264. It has a low arm mass, so I will need a high compliance cartridge. MM is my prefered choice. It does not have to be brand new, if anyone has a nice used one that will work if the price is right. I listen to mostly rock and jazz, the cartridge I use now is a grado gf-3. Any and all advice heeded. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Price range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Tjnif has a Dynavector 10x5 for sale with very low hours for a good price. Drop him an email. Good guy to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Jay, your LP's have been shipped. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 garymd $ 200 or less for new, a little less for used. Larry thanks alot. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 Waiting on the experts here. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I don't know what he wants for his Dynavector but that would probably be a really good match. Nothing new in the $200 or less price range does much for me except maybe the Denon LOMC's which aren't an option for you. A very lightly used Shure V15 would probably mate well also and would be in your price range. I like them a lot but I know others who don't. If going new, whichever Grado color is in that price range would be another option. I used a $60 Grado Green on my Thorens and it sounded suprisingly good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 garymd, I have others elsewhere mention these. shure M97xe, Audio Technica 120e, Grado Blue is in the price range. My prefernce is to go new, for fear of vintage possiblely damageing my LP's. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Not sure if it would be right for your table (Gary or someone elese might want to chime in) but the Ortofon OM20 Super has been a good cartridge on my Thorens and they run $149.00 new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whell Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 There's a OM-20 Super on Audiogon right now that was apparently only used for a week or two: $80. Pretty decent deal on that cartridge IMHO. The usual disclaimers: no affiliation with the seller, etc., etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I can't imagine that any of the lower end Ortofon/Grado/Shure/Dynavector's wouldn't mate just fine. The Dynavector would probably sound better than the rest as it is a higher-end cart although I'm no expert. I've just had some fairly recent experience with a few on 3 of my last 4 tables. The Shure M97E is decent if you want to go new and for under $100, not much to lose. If you can find a used Grado Sonata (new = $500), they sound really good but I can't recall ever seeing one on the used market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I can't imagine that any of the lower end Ortofon/Grado/Shure/Dynavector's wouldn't mate just fine. The Dynavector would probably sound better than the rest as it is a higher-end cart although I'm no expert. I've just had some fairly recent experience with a few on 3 of my last 4 tables. The Shure M97E is decent if you want to go new and for under $100, not much to lose. If you can find a used Grado Sonata (new = $500), they sound really good but I can't recall ever seeing one on the used market. I would have jumped at the Dynavector 10x5 if I did not buy a 20x. I can only add that the 20x is outstanding and the used 10x5 is in your price range. I think that it goes for $300 to $380 new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Jay, with what Gary just said and knowing you want to stay around $200.00 the Mahogany body Grado Reference Platinum for $300.00 new is an awesome cartridge and although I have not heard the Dynavector 10X5 I'd be willing to bet the Grado Platinum is in the same league and of much higher quality/standards than the plastic bodied Grado's although I do have a Grado Red it is no where as nice or smooth sounding as the reference line[] I sold Seti my old MMF 2.1 table with the Reference Platinum on it and I have it back at my place and on my system again and it really sounds sweet[] If memory serves me correctly a new Dyn 10X5 is $380.00. You can view or buy these and many more fine selection at needledoctor.com. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 A little above your price range but this could be a good deal if the guy's honest. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1163690787 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 Ok guys, that gives me something to work with. That's good info from people I trust, thanks the hunt is on. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul cbc Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Jay, If you're thinking Grado these guys have the Gold on sale for $129. http://echohifi.com/ Kurt is a super guy and will treat you well. Good luck in your search, and please post what you end up with and thoughts. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 Paul thanks for the link. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 19, 2006 Author Share Posted September 19, 2006 According to my spec sheet the rated output of my phono amp is, 0.5v RMS out with 2mv imput @1kHz with 50k/100pf load. With this setup I should be ok to run any MC cartridge with more than 2mv output correct? If not please explain. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 26, 2006 Author Share Posted September 26, 2006 Ok guys I settled on the Shure M97eX, first impressions. I think this cart. is going to work just fine until I upgrade the TT. The shure is smooth and laid back in my system and that's a good thing. I am happy with it as it is so far, I will post more after a more complete listen. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted October 18, 2006 Author Share Posted October 18, 2006 Ok guys upon further review, the Shure M97xE is a good match for my vintage Luxman TT. The sound is overall full bodied, laid back, nice bottom end, it could however in my opinion be a tad more open. I don't think that would hurt, but for under $100.00 I am really satisfided with what it does. As I get more into vinyl I will move up to match the rest of my system. I think my system is a little ahead of my vinyl setup, but I am content for now. I have come a long way in this past year, with a lot help from this forum. So thanks to the forum and all of you guys who are a part of it. It's now time to sit back and enjoy the music. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.