What cartridges with LP12/ARO

You need either 523 boards for a low output MC cart, or a high output MC or MM cart.

What's your budget? If it's above UKP500 or 600, you might be better off buying the 523s and a low end low output MC.

I got fine results with a Grado Sonata, but a Linn Karma (low output MC) was far better. Other good choices mat bethe Dynavector high outputs carts or the Linn Adikt.

Regards.

Phil

What Dynovector high output MC cartridges should I be auditioning, budget is £200 - £350

rest of set up is 82/2*Hi/250

David J Bostock

Boz -

Did you buy it from Infidelity? Is it an afromosia one? Does it say 'P Glendenning' on the top of the box?

If so it's my old one. Sniff

I used a DV 17D2 on it, with good results. Also, you might try unscrewing the feet, taking the baseboard off (having unplugged it first...) and then screwing them back on. It should sound a bit better like that.

If it is my old one, the serial no. dates it to about 1983. It is fully Cirkus'd. Enjoy.

Tim J

Your Naim Aro deserves better - Helikon SL, Transfiguration Temper MKV, Transfiguration Spirit ... or an MM cart, The Cartridge Man Music Maker MK2, slightly above your budget ... works best on unipivots, just forget the looks and listen ...

Your ARO does deserve better! I love Dynavectors for their excellent all-round ability. Drama and tone in spades. You could get away with the Dynavector 10x4 or a 10x4 Gold if you can find one (£200 and £250-ish). The Dynavector 20XH is £300. A 17D2 is a brilliant value for money cartridge which works really well. Normally it retails for £450 but online or cartridge specialists could get you one for less. Low output though so factor in the £85 for a pair of MC S boards.

Another MC with a completely different presentation is the Ortofon MC25FL (£250-ish). Fantastically fast for the money, but not the best tonally. If speed is your thing the MC25FL is the one to beat at this price - and the boards would still keep you within your £350 budget!

Fact is, you have a potentially fabulous deck connected to a truly wonderful amp. Why would you want to hamstring it right where it hurts, especially if you want it to compete with a CDX/XPS? MC cartridges give much better resolution generally and that's where you'll have problems if you pursue the MM route.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

*LOL*, that's a nice subject ...

But seriously, I thought MMs were inferior in resolution and detail. I still think they are, except for one, the Music Maker MK2. There's some magic going on in there ... I wish I could let people try it ...

One other good cartridge is the venerable AT-OC9. IMHO, I find the AT-OC9 a much better cart in terms of resolution and tonality than the 10X4MK2 or the 20XH (which I find too mellow and bloomy, Koetsu-like, which is not my taste). Needs the MC phono card, however, K or S.

Frank,

You mention both the 10X4 (2 versions?) and 20XH, what's your opinion on the differences between these?

Other's opinions are of course welcome too.

Claus

Hi Tim,

Yes certainly sounds like the same LP12 as I got it from Infidelity...

Went for Dyno 10x4 which sounds great now I have set the TT up tonight, quantum leap forward from my P3 I have emailed you separately about the alloy ring that was in the box as I have no idea where it goes ???

Cheers

David J Bostock

Sounds like the 45rpm adaptor that goes over the pulley on the motor.

Regards
Steve

Ahh perhaps that is what it is for !!

Thanks !

Infidelity have warned me off using a 45mm adaptor as it can damage the motor, anyone have any similar experiemces ?

Tim, your email isn't working can you email me your current one so I can chat to you about the LP12 and find out any history on it.........

Cheers

David J Bostock

Prefer it to my ES Troika which sounded 'broken' by comparison (so I sold it to blzebub) :> ).

The 17D is well worth the extra over the 20X which I found dull and even worse than the Troika.

Alex

I'm quite confident that the Dynavector 10X4 Gold (both high and low output versions) is no longer available. It was a very limited run special; I believe that the entire allocation to the US for example was a mere 15 of each version. It's a great cartridge (I have a 10X4 Gold H) that added the boron cantilver and stylus from the 17 to the giant - killer 10X4. Dynavector should be applauded for being crazy enough to make a tiny run of something like the very reasonably priced 10X4 Gold.

I wouldn't recommend a Blue Point Special in a Flat Earth system. It doesn't time very well, the treble is a bit gritty sounding and the BPS can sound bright if not shrill. The best description I've heard of the BPS is that it's the cartridge for people who love the sound of CD replay. The comparably priced 10X4 is superior in every way.

An analog front end as good as your new one really deserves a first class cartridge. Art Dudley raved about the Ortofon Jubilee in Listener as one of the best cartridges he'd ever heard, and he uses an LP-12 / Aro. You can get the Jubilee for 1000 Euros from [URL=Phono Phono]www.phonophono.de[/URL].