I need some advice from "Old Recordings Listeners"

[Cleese74]

Hello!

I'm going to put install a second tonearm on my Technics SL1000R turntable, as well as another cartridge. The tonearm will be an Ortofon RS309D or AS212S. I currently have an AT-LH13H MC cartridge on the main tonearm. This cartridge is fine for more "audiophile" records, but I have a lot of rock LPs from the 70s, and I feel like it doesn't quite fit with the recordings of the time and the 50 years that those secondhand vinyls have.
Of course, these old LP are properly cleaned.
One of the dealers I frequent told me that with those recordings (and half-a-century years old vinyl), a mid-range MM cartridge is more enjoyable than something expensive and ultra-revealing.

I'd like to know how you've managed to enjoy old albums by Genesis, Led Zep, Caravan...

Thanks!

 

[Another Johnson]

I'd like to know how you've managed to enjoy old albums by Genesis, Led Zep, Caravan...

Same way as when they were new. 86 Proof.

 

[Chop]

Hello!

I'm going to put install a second tonearm on my Technics SL1000R turntable, as well as another cartridge. The tonearm will be an Ortofon RS309D or AS212S. I currently have an AT-LH13H MC cartridge on the main tonearm. This cartridge is fine for more "audiophile" records, but I have a lot of rock LPs from the 70s, and I feel like it doesn't quite fit with the recordings of the time and the 50 years that those secondhand vinyls have.
Of course, these old LP are properly cleaned.
One of the dealers I frequent told me that with those recordings (and half-a-century years old vinyl), a mid-range MM cartridge is more enjoyable than something expensive and ultra-revealing.

I'd like to know how you've managed to enjoy old albums by Genesis, Led Zep, Caravan...

Thanks!

I disagree with your dealer. IMO this was the golden age of analogue recording.
I consider "classic" rock LP recording quality and pressings from the 1970's to be state of the art and fully deserving of the best cartridge you can use with them. 95% of what I buy is second hand LPs and they sound far better than reissues. I can prove this to anyone.

A mid range MM cartridge? Well, YMMV but I've used both Koetsus Proteus and Allaerts cartridges, the latter with the extremely revealing FGS stylus profile without issues. <shrug> They just sound better.

The caveat is that of course some LPs are better recorded than others. Be aware that SOME records may have SOME groove damage but IMO its rare. If I buy one with groove damage I return it. I've never had a problem with this.

 

[mtemur]

I totally agree with @Chop. A new cartridge with a modern stylus profile will make better contact with the groove walls. It will also track a higher, less damaged area of the groove due to its advanced profile and the fact that it’s new. Ultimately, a modern, top-tier cartridge will be the best choice for enjoying great original pressings, IMO/IME.

If your records are in really bad condition and aren’t among the best pressings, you might consider using a mid-tier MM cartridge as a trade-off for sound quality.

 

[bonzo75]

Hello!

I'm going to put install a second tonearm on my Technics SL1000R turntable, as well as another cartridge. The tonearm will be an Ortofon RS309D or AS212S. I currently have an AT-LH13H MC cartridge on the main tonearm. This cartridge is fine for more "audiophile" records, but I have a lot of rock LPs from the 70s, and I feel like it doesn't quite fit with the recordings of the time and the 50 years that those secondhand vinyls have.
Of course, these old LP are properly cleaned.
One of the dealers I frequent told me that with those recordings (and half-a-century years old vinyl), a mid-range MM cartridge is more enjoyable than something expensive and ultra-revealing.

I'd like to know how you've managed to enjoy old albums by Genesis, Led Zep, Caravan...

Thanks!

This is something usually said by people who don’t understand records, and a lot of dealers fall into that category.

 

[Kingrex]

This is something usually said by people who don’t understand records, and a lot of dealers fall into that category.

KerSLAP!!!!

 

[Dogberry]

I agree with the opinions above: I am surprised at how quiet many old records are after a thorough cleaning, and so often they were better made than modern pressings. On one tonearm I do keep an MP-500 for the first play of any new acquisition, as it is easier and cheaper to replace the stylus on it than on one of my more expensive cartridges. Provided there are no problems, after that it's going to be played with one of them.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Regarding your tonearm choice, everything points to an Ortofon SPU 1 E or Classic GM. If you have a phono that can handle low voltage from the SPU, it's a very musical combination for me. with a fuller sound and, thanks to the diamond cut, more forgiving even with LPs that aren't in perfect condition.

 

[Lynnot]

Classic Rock records are OK. They are from the golden age of record production.

Unfortunately the recordings are not nessecary OK.
Endless dubbing an multi tracking , many months in a studio for one record, twelve tracks only.
Vinntage Shure M75 T2, Shure M95ed, would be my recommendation.

Suggested reading here: https://www.resistormag.com/reviews/review-six-vintage-shure-cartridges/

Best regards,
Tony

 

[Another Johnson]

FWIW, in the days when these albums were originally released, Shure was the leader in the field of cartridges.

Even so, I do occasionally listen to my old AOR rock records, and I prefer my Lyra Etna Lambda or my Jubilee MC (both modern mc designs) to my older MM cartridges.

Of course YMMV.

 

[herbreichert]

Hello!

I'm going to put install a second tonearm on my Technics SL1000R turntable, as well as another cartridge. The tonearm will be an Ortofon RS309D or AS212S. I currently have an AT-LH13H MC cartridge on the main tonearm. This cartridge is fine for more "audiophile" records, but I have a lot of rock LPs from the 70s, and I feel like it doesn't quite fit with the recordings of the time and the 50 years that those secondhand vinyls have.
Of course, these old LP are properly cleaned.
One of the dealers I frequent told me that with those recordings (and half-a-century years old vinyl), a mid-range MM cartridge is more enjoyable than something expensive and ultra-revealing.

I'd like to know how you've managed to enjoy old albums by Genesis, Led Zep, Caravan...

Thanks!

Nagaoka MP200 ??

 

[mtemur]

Nagaoka MP200 ??

IMHO it’s a pretty poor performer like all Nagaokas. Only MP-500 is lively but it doesn’t have the refinement for its price tag. If I have to use an MM, I would pick AT VM95C for being extremely affordable or go for AT VM 95 ML for great bang for the buck. For $500 I would consider MC cartridges from AT. AT-33 or OC-9. I wouldn’t replace OC-9 with Hana SL or even ML.