kevinmi Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Hi Forum Friends, I have an older JVC TT with a tonearm that was very expensive in it's day (around $450.00 in the 70's). My question is do you think I should upgrade to a whole new TT or could I get by with upgrading my cart? The replacement stylus for my cart is about $275.00, but I don't know if my cart is too old to justify replacing the stylus. Has modern analog technology improved greatly since the 70's to warrant replacing everything with new? I don't have anything to compare the turntable sound to, but it sounds OK to me. I'm just a little leery because it has been in storage for a decade, and I don't want to ruin any new LP's I might buy. The TT is a JVC QL-50 direct drive, and the tonearm is a Signet XK-50, which is basically a rebadged AT 1100. Thanks in advance for your input. -Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted November 29, 2008 Author Share Posted November 29, 2008 BTW-the cartridge is a Signet 3Ea, with the original stylus, I believe. The only replacement stylus I can find is the 7 series, at $275.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Shure M97XE for about $75 - $85. One of the best deals on a really good cartridge/ needle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmikid Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Hi Kevin. It's hard to give advice, when we don't know your budget. It's a fact that analogue technology has improved enormously since the seventies, like any technology. I would not pay $275 for a replacement stylus. There is a JVC QL-50 on ebay for $300,- Maybe if you sell the lot, add some savings and then buy a good, more modern set. Prices could be low due to the crisis, altough I haven't really compared. OTOH, there are good carts available for not too much. This forum raves over the Denon 103. If the arm can take that cart and be finetuned to it, definitely an intersting option. Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Groomlake's advice seems unbeatable to me -- the Shure is a very good, "neutral" cart with no bad habits to cross you up. I agree, don't pay that much for a replacement when you can get a current cart for less than a third of that. The Denon is a low-output moving coil (LOMC), which brings LOTS of complications into the picture. The Zu version is very heavy, to boot. If after getting the Shure it turns out the table is the weak sister that needs replacing, you have the cart and haven't misspent anything -- you can just go from there. My $0.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 The Shure M97xE is really pleasant to listen to and surface noise seems a little reduced with it. All the reviews say it's a great performer for its price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted November 29, 2008 Author Share Posted November 29, 2008 I just ordered a Shure M97xE cartridge, so I'll try that out first before dumping the old turntable in favor of buying a new one. Thanks so much for everyone's input!-kevin P.S. I ordered from Garage-A- Records, and got the cart for $74, but ended up spending $261 after buying a test record, lp cleaning machine, stylus force gauge, protractor, etc. Analog sure is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Kevin, Great pickup, I got one this past year for my Thorens 160 and it sounds great. I guess that really doesn't mean anything since this is my first real TT. I was in the same situation, I ordered the cart and a few other things that made the purchase about $150, but it sure is fun to listen to some vinyl from the Corns. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I just ordered a Shure M97xE cartridge, so I'll try that out first before dumping the old turntable in favor of buying a new one. Don't be surprised if it takes a little time to break in. My M97 sounded odd and flat in the bass until I'd played it for a while. After 15-20 album sides it was sounding much better and after about 30 album sides it was sounding really good and hasn't changed since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryO Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 http://www.needledepot.com/listproductsofbrand.aspx?brand=SIGNET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I just ordered a Shure M97xE cartridge Good move Kevin, I really think after about 50 hours you will really be pleased with the M97[Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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