| Author | Message | ||
     Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 141 Registered: 02-2008 |
I had me a mind to get into the vinyl listening thing, listening to everybody talk about the joys of listenting to "records". So, I go to setup my turntable, which I got due to an "insurance settlement". Anyways, I go to set that sucker up and they ain't no cartridge in the turntable. So my question for you all's is: where can I buy a cartridge and what's a goodun to buy? Whats a decent amount o' money to pay for such a thing? Looks like you could pay a small fortune for one, but I dont wanna do that. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1172 Registered: 10-2004 |
Well, for starters, you can find just about anything you need here: http://www.needledoctor.com/ But you can find some great cartridges on Amazon, for less. My personal favorite cartridge is the Audio Technia 440MLa, which, holy shit - the price on these puppies has jumped about $50 since I bought one a coupla years ago... but these can be found at a comparatively decent price on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT440MLa- Magnetic-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B000F6W8 X6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid= 1209006947&sr=8-1 I like these because they're relatively affordable, and out of the dozens of cartridges in this price range that I've tried out, they have the clearest sound, best stereo separation, and they are virtually unbeatable in terms of minimizing that dreadful inner-groove distortion and sibilance. This thing really brings out a lot of detail. I'm super picky though, and although I could never afford super expensive, hardcore audiophile stuff, this cartridge beats anything within $100 in either direction of its price point. That said, a lot of people dig this cartridge by Shure: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-P erformance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I 5SB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid =1209007240&sr=1-1 It's got a slightly warmer, fatter (eg - flatter, but kind of bass heavy) tone than the Audio Technica. I used to own one, but it just couldn't handle inner groove distortion and sibilance very well, so I replaced it with the AT (and that made a profound difference - suddenly, inner groove distortion pretty much vanished!). But this one is obviously a lot cheaper, and if you're not as fussy as I am, you'll probably be fine with it. And a lot of serious vinyl people really do like this cartridge, so take that for what it's worth. Oh, and if there's one disadvantage to the Audio Technica, it's that it'll slightly amplify any flaws in the vinyl - ie - pops and crackles will be a bit more audible. The reason is because it's a microline stylus, which reaches deeper into the groove, so while it does pick up more sonic detail, it also picks up more of the crackle. So if your records aren't in the best shape, you might wanna go with the Shure. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 142 Registered: 02-2008 |
Thanks Mr. Jeff. Because Im a) cheap and b) not picky guess I'll look into the Shure! Helluva markdown on it. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1174 Registered: 10-2004 |
Yeah, that's a good deal on that Shure. When I bought one several years ago, it ran me about $90, so yeah... Another other good thing about the Shure is it comes with this little alignment thingy that you can use to help with mounting the cartridge properly (which is important!). | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 143 Registered: 02-2008 |
That does sound useful, mate. I had hoped to get off cheap, bein a cheap bastid, but I just looked up the turntable the insurance company sent me (lightning hit my house and fried my old one) on the Denon website and it retails for $700, so itd be trifling to put any old cheapshit cartridge on it. So the Shure sure looks like the way to go... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2331 Registered: 05-2005 |
"Call on Jeff for all your audio! - Jeff's Audio's, SURE as hell is the place to go!" Can I bill you $10 for copywriting that radio jingle Jeff???? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1178 Registered: 10-2004 |
Ha-ha! No, but you can pay me $10 for giving you the idea! | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 144 Registered: 02-2008 |
One more question for the Mr. Jeff: Curious as to yer opinion mate. If I wanted to sell this turntable, a Denon DP 500 M, that retails for $699, how much do ya think I could get on eBay? Although its brand spankin new and never been played, I unwisely threw away the box. I still have the manual. Way I see it, unless I realize some goodly fraction of that value, say $500, Id be a fool not to keep it. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1181 Registered: 10-2004 |
Ewan, I'm not really sure, but I reckon you could get a decent amount for it, given that it is virtually new. I wouldn't expect more than $500. Check the completed auctions on ebay to see if any have sold recently. Also, try Audiogon. It's like an ebay/craigslist for audiophiles, and even if you are a new seller with no feedback, you still may stand a better chance of unloading it for a good price to a serious buyer. Denons are great turntables. My main turntable is an old, early 80s Denon DP 51f, which is still chugging away. (If you do wind up selling, be sure and package it *really* well, and double-box it, because I've seen several turntables destroyed at the hands of UPS due to shoddy packaging. The bigger/heavier the object, the more likely UPS will throw it off the loading dock.) | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 146 Registered: 02-2008 |
I axed my older brother who thinks hes Mr. EBay what he thought I could get for it and he thinks not more than $300 without the box and warranty. Which, if thats true, Id feel like a right chump, a schlemeel, for letting such a nice item get away from me for such small change. So Ive pretty much made up my mind to keep it - why not have a nice component (to go with my cheapass $40 Toshiba DVD/CD player)? I may have to build a small shrine for it in me living room. Having said all that though, Im going check that Audigon website! Thanks for the input JW. |