Cartridge for Garrard 401 / RB300

Posted by: Stuart Frazer on 16 April 2003

I have bitten the analogue bullet and am in the process of restoring a Garrard 401 turntable. This will soon be serviced and put into a Lorricraft plinth. The arm will be a Rega RB300 to get me started. The last thing I need to decide to get up and running is which cartridge?

I am fortunate to have the Naim MM, MC (K) and (S) boards so hopefully whatever I decide upon will match one. Budget is fairly flexible, but seeing as this is my first 'high end' turntable I don't want to spend a fortune only to trash the cartridge accidentally in a short time. I have been offered a new Audio Technica OC9 MK II for £265 – good buy? Other alternatives seem to be the Dynavectors, Ortophons, Blue Point etc. etc.

Depending upon how I much I like the final results, I will may be add an external power supply and upgrade the arm in the future.

This will be partnered with 52/SC/Hi-Cap/SNAXO/135s/SBLs.

Good advice, recommendations and avoids much appreciated.

Stuart

stuartfrazer@yahoo.co.uk

Posted on: 16 April 2003 by DAVOhorn

This may be considered a bit of a wacky reply for this forum, but here goes.

1 A wooden bodied Grado Signature.
Georgeous sound.
Not a moving coil so decent output and one
less amplification stage required.

2 Shure V15 superb tracking fabulous control
and excellent balanced sound . A joy for over
30 years.

I also have a passion for Decca London's especially the Super Gold. Incredible dynamics, a mid range of superb musicality, a bass performance which is fabulous. On worn records or poorly set up arm cartridge or arm mismatch the high frequencies can be difficult.
Love it or hate it beast.
I love Decca's and have used them for 30 years.

Still have 4 different types , but use the super gold in my t/t.

As i said a bit off the wall but certainly worth looking out for.

regards David

Posted on: 16 April 2003 by effinity

Hi Stuart,

You may remember i'm using a 401 with a recently fitted OL Silver 250. I asked OL for recommends - they were:

dynavector 20xh at 350.00
Ortfon Kontrapunt A at 500.00
Music maker cartridge at 599.00
Ortofon Kontrapunt B at 750.00

I definitely fancied the MM and someone has mentioned the Decca London Super Gold (i can forward details of 2nd user info on both of these, if not sold, just email me)

Funnily enough I've ended up with an OC9! An offer I could'nt refuse on a new one! I was worried that it was going to be bass light, does'nt seem to be a problem but keeping my ears cocked, certainly has'nt stopped my enjoyment. 52/SC,135's,AACD3,LeakTL,Mana,assorted tweaks is current set up. Have not gone active yet but am swopping between the 135's and monobloc 110's, the 110's are stealthily good may I add.

Steve

Posted on: 16 April 2003 by effinity

Whoops! forgot to mention the mighty little IBL's! no shortcomings in the bass area there so SBL's should do the job on the end of an OC9 or whatever else you choose, I believe set up is the key.

Steve

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by domfjbrown

quote:
BTW, the Icognito rewire is money well spent, but as far as counterweights go, diminishing returns set in after the Rega snazzy one made from the metal I can't remember! (Someone help me out here!)
Simon

Is that the PROPER Rega one (the Tungsten weight - I got one on my deck when I bought it second hand - yey!) or one of those Expressimo(?) Heavyweights?

When the music's over turn out the lights

Posted on: 20 April 2003 by Stuart Frazer

Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming.

Stuart