"Perfect" MM for RP10

I've been using various mc cartridge on my P9 but when i've tried the Exact i've found what i was looking for: fun, ease of use, convenience.

Now i have the RP10 and, after some months with Exact, i wanted to try a different mm cartridge: the Reson Reca (a Goldring 1042 variant).

RP10-Reca-Stageline: a very good match IMHO.

You're looking at a mm cartridge just because they supposedly last longer? Most of us find the mc cartridges last years anyway. 

You have spent a small fortune on the rest of your system so why worry about the lifespan (or cost) of a cartridge. 

I have an Ortofon Quintet Bronze on my Gyro SE. It's 3 years old, doesn't get used all the time but I'm sure it will last many more years yet. Still prefer it to what the NDS gives me.

Nick,

At the RP10 level of TT there's much to consider with "worthy" carts - high output MCs to suit a MM stage as you say, but if you go to the Aria then the door is wide open for compatibility. A greater issue might be the stylus shape (elliptical vs microridge) and whether you want to tinker with cart alignment or simply set and forget with one from Rega. Either way, I'd say the RP10 begs better than the Exact 2 which probably epitomizes itself on a RP6. As far as longevity of the stylus, don't discount wear on the LP as an alternate factor.

The RP10 with an Apheta 2 is a formidable combo. Your 552/500 deserves a tip top turntable.  I would be tempted to pass on the aria and look at an ios reference or a superline or if you want a superb phono stage at a bargain price investigate the NVA statement. I have heard ios and a lower than statement spec NVA and could live with either of them.  Although I have not heard a superline, I would be staggered if it is not sonically competitive with the other 2.  

RP10 with factory fitted Rega MC or Dyna XX. You're 552 will love it

Regards,

Lindsay

Lejonklou Slipsik + Adikt?  

Just noodling here.  A used Aria has come up at a good price, and an ex-dem RP10 with Apheta2, too.  Rega VFM and robustness appeal to me, as do some of the arguments in favor of not ruling out MM completely.  Testimony that the better table and arm matter far more than the better cartridge also suggests that if I like the Planar3 + Exact, the same cart on the RP10 would be worth hearing, if only to test the assertion, and measure the benefit of a subsequent MC.

I don't doubt that the more common MC choices people have made with the RP10 are very good; and I do plan to do some demos, though none of my dealers seem very keen to take the factory-installed Apheta2 off their floor models -- I don't blame them.

If/when I get to MC, I will be interested to demo Superline and IOS Reference, certainly.

Thanks to all for joining this conversation.

Nick

If you are buying the RP10, I'd keep it simple and just go for the Apheta 2... it's the natural partner for the RP10 and Rega packages the cartridge with the TT at a substantial discount if purchased together.

Please note that on my P9 i've used the first Apheta on my P9 and a Klimo Ertanax cartridges with a supercapped Superline into a 500 system.

I love what the Exact and the Reca do.

I love furthermore for the money I've spent.

Zipperheadbanjo posted:

If you are buying the RP10, I'd keep it simple and just go for the Apheta 2... it's the natural partner for the RP10 and Rega packages the cartridge with the TT at a substantial discount if purchased together.

oops... sorry... missed that you were looking for a MM cartridge.

Please Nick - don't ruin a beautiful deck such as RP10 with an MM cartridge. Please! 

I used to run RP6/Exact II - fantastic. I then upgraded to RP10 / Apheta 2 - OK. Luckily for me Apheta 2 died after a month and was replaced with a brand new Aphelion. Wow! RP10 came on song when Aphelion was fitted - it is sublime.

As to which one last longer? Where did this MM vc MC come from?

Nick, there are no perfect cartridges for the RP10. Instead there are perfect (for which, read synergistic) matches of cartridge and phono stage.

IMO a Rega Aria and any Rega cartridge on your proposed record player will leave you in a good place.

C.

if it helps, the Dynavector 10X5 and P75 phono stage were a great combo on my Rega P5. the Exact didn't do much for me.

at the moment, i'm using a Zu Audio DL-103 into the P75 (set to "Dr. T" mode) and find it to be quite engaging. (TT is now an LP12/Aro.)

Drewy posted:

You're looking at a mm cartridge just because they supposedly last longer? Most of us find the mc cartridges last years anyway. 

You have spent a small fortune on the rest of your system so why worry about the lifespan (or cost) of a cartridge. 

I have an Ortofon Quintet Bronze on my Gyro SE. It's 3 years old, doesn't get used all the time but I'm sure it will last many more years yet. Still prefer it to what the NDS gives me.

I have to agree with Drewy.  Don't hold back now on your source.  Currently using a Proteus Transconfiguration MC Cartridge on my RP 10 with a Superline and dedicated SCDR.  Started with the Apheta 2, moved to the Phoenix T and now I'm in my own personal Nirvana (especially after the the SCDR, (plus SNAXO Burndy cable, HI Line interconnect & powerline) addition.  Would definitely explore MC cartridges, and highly highly recommend the Proteus. 

Cheers! 

Shelby 

I can't doubt the Superline/SCDR with Transfiguration Proteus is stunning on an RP10, but for perspective NickSeattle was originally contemplating a MM versus MC. MMs generally top-out around $1,500 and the Proteus is a $6,000 MC cart. Then again, Nick has mentioned a Superline and given no bounds for budget.

I have no idea why anyone would want to hobble an RP10 with an Exact. If you want to recreate the sounds of old, buy a P5. That RB2000 is crying for a top cartridge so why not go with the package deal of a factory fitted Apheta2. I went from P5 to RP8 and now with SC/SL and would never go back to the old sound.