Most Musical AND Refined vintage cartridges

[SoundMann]

I think I used this to renew some rubber TT belts. How do you use this on dampers, other than carefully?

Slowly and carefully apply small dabs of it with a needle until the bushing is completely covered.

 

[SoundMann]

For those of you that don't care for the sound of a Supex MC, what didn't you like about them?

 

[Paul1960]

What I would like to do is find someone who could sell me a used low mileage Grado Sonata or Koetsu Black at a reasonable price.

Nobody is going to sell you a Koetsu Black at your price point. I have a Grado Sonata 3 that has less than 250 hours on it that I would be happy to sell you. PM if interested.

 

[Lynnot]

Few more alternatives:

Audio Technica AT-23a, AT-24 or AT-25 (more or less identical to the "totl" Signet models)
Ortofon S15 MT/E, SL15 and SL15 ELL (vintage SPU sound, mkII versions sound slightly different)

All of these are difficult to find, even more difficult is finding a good one.

Best regards, Tony

 

[Bso]

Have you ever tried a Denon DL 207? It might suit your Grace (ha) better. I think they are available for under $300 from Japan/bay. In my gear the upper treble is detailed but smooth possibly because of its 40kHz range. (Sonically it is unlike the 103 series.)

 

[SoundMann]

I am listening to a sample file of a Stanton 380c. It sounds noticeably better than you may think given its vintage.

This early stereo cartridge sounds better than my Koetsu Black samples.

 

[maxson]

I find it to be brighter as well. But I have always wondered if there is a stylus profile that gives us only positive improvements with this cartridge.

I like both flavors of TK-7, one more brash the other more delicate.

I am a fan of this old Excel body that even bore the name Supex. I can still buy these new for as little as $130 new from Japan. The Shelter iteration may be the best yet.

Do you not like it with the stock stylus? What improvements does the SAS bring, and what are the negatives?

Didn't know it was by Excel, tho that makes sense. The other one I have is an A&R Cambridge, not as good SQ, but maybe because of age. The elliptical Shelter stylus is engaging, but the SAS has more snap, more HF info, sounds more like an MC--my preference--as you'd expect given its cut.

 

[SoundMann]

I like both flavors of TK-7, one more brash the other more delicate.

I am wondering what my 7e or a Grado Sonata will sound like with a Micro-Ridge. I am very sensitive to high frequency distortion, which I can hear styluses develop as soon as 150 hours (around 250 for Ellipticals).

Micro-Ridge styluses remain free of elevated distortion levels until they near the end of their lives.

 

[foxtan]

I has been looking for a vintage cartridge that is warmer, smoother and more forgiving than my current cartridge, a very transparent and revealing (but not overly bright) Signet TK7e.

This cartridge must also be musically involving, with nothing that will overtly detract from its engagement.

I believe that the original Koetsu Black, classic Ortofon SPU series, and several of the top stereo cartridges made up to 1965 produced the general type of sound I am looking for, but I also require an unfailing level of high frequency purity and refinement that most vintage (and modern) cartridges fail to possess (my ears are very sensitive to it).

If I had the money, there are a few top end cartridges that may suffice (I like the Air Tight Opus). But I am very poor these days, and would like to find a used cartridge that gives me this level of "musical" refinement for under $500.

I have been looking at the Supex SD 801/901 series, but don't know if they can deliver enough of the above requirements to significantly better my Signet, which is about as good as a vintage MM cartridge that I have heard, despite being rather unforgiving of less than perfect recordings.

May I know what tonearm you are going to use with the upcoming cartridge? Do you have multiple tonearm for different compliance cartridge? And what is your phono preamp? All these elements would significantly affect your cartridge choice.........

 

[SoundMann]

May I know what tonearm you are going to use with the upcoming cartridge? Do you have multiple tonearm for different compliance cartridge? And what is your phono preamp? All these elements would significantly affect your cartridge choice.........

I currently use a Grace 707 II, but I have also been looking at higher mass tonearms such as the Micro-Seiki MA77/101.

 

[SoundMann]

Slowly and carefully apply small dabs of it with a needle until the bushing is completely covered.

I need to add that this product is known to eat plastic, so you have to be careful with it.

Also, I now own an MS 101 tonearm, so I am more flexible in the cartridges I can use.

I have been gifted a Shelter 201 to play with for now.

 

[foxtan]

I currently use a Grace 707 II, but I have also been looking at higher mass tonearms such as the Micro-Seiki MA77/101.

The Grace 707 is only good for high compliance cartridge, such as the MM, some MI and light weight high output MC. The MA101 is not really a high mass tonearm, but MA77 can categorize as mid to high mass when comparing to MA-101.

For all these vintage tonearm, the internal copper wiring most likely oxidized or at least the soldering point require overhauling to restore it performance, IMHO, you better have these used tonearm rewired before setup on your TT.

 

[SoundMann]

The Grace 707 is only good for high compliance cartridge, such as the MM, some MI and light weight high output MC. The MA101 is not really a high mass tonearm, but MA77 can categorize as mid to high mass when comparing to MA-101.

Their mass depends on the headshell. Either arm can support medium to low compliance cartridges, and both have sub-weights available for them.

For all these vintage tonearm, the internal copper wiring most likely oxidized or at least the soldering point require overhauling to restore it performance, IMHO, you better have these used tonearm rewired before setup on your TT.

I will certainly do so if it proved to be an issue. But I have had a hard time finding decent copper wire lately.

 

[Petrat]

Maybe find a Grace F9 (or betters still, an F14) body and fit one of Soundsmith's excellent stylus replacements? Should give you all you need on your arm. I have one and listen to it more than my SPUs.

 

[Gregm]

Also, I now own an MS 101 tonearm, so I am more flexible in the cartridges I can use.

I have been gifted a Shelter 201 to play with for now.

Have you ruled out oldies such as Empire (EDR9, 2000) or Shure V15 -III or Pickering 5000? Probably difficult to find, but very rewarding.

 

[A-Line]

Sounds like you're looking for MM pickup vs MC regarding the sound.
Stanton, Grado, & Shure comes to mind regarding a vintage sound.

Koetsu & Grace are no longer in business...
Neither of these really have a vintage 1960's sound.

I had Grace F9e MM once on my LP12 in the early 1980's and it was a modern sound at that time. Grado, Shure, & Pickering MM have that late 1960's/1970's sound..

 

[Lynnot]

Here is an example of one these vintage Pickering cartridges:



It's a Pickering XLZ-7500S, probably over 40 years old, with very low hours and sounding rather nice.

 

[Rensselaer]

This article might help:

raul's evaluation of MM cartridges

based upon his eval I bought the Nagaoka MP-50 and was very pleased with it. Apparently many others followed his advice so Nagaoka stopped selling the MP-50 and released the new and improved MP-500 for a lot more dosh, as they do.

 

[Rensselaer]

And this one:Raul's earlier statement

 

[Salectric]

It’s a mistake to rule out a modified Denon 103. I have a 103R that Andy Kim modified with a boron cantilever and MR stylus. It was a massive improvement over the stock 103R. It sounds great and has excellent tracking. Quite a bargain in today’s over-priced cartridge world.