Cartidge for £1,250 or less

That's a lot for other - a few hints plus where you can demo this kind of choice in the midlands would be helpful.

Thanks

Mike

Mike

My knee jerk answer to queries like this - if you like the Troika, I think you will love the Akiva; yes its £1800 but you will get ?£300 P/X on your old cartridge - only £250 more on the budget ( I hate "just spend more" answers as much as the rest of us, but I really would give it a listen )

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy

I have heard good reports of the Akiva but £1,500 (net) for a cartridge gulp, gulp, gulp...

As you say it's only 20% more than £1,250 has anyone heard one back to back with the Helikon?

At the same time I will be adding circus and prefix to my LP12 so I'm up to almost £3k on the TT!

Mike

I heard you can't use a lid on your LP12 with an Aro - is that right?

So an Aro is £1,250 but I won't get a lot for a 20 year old Ittok that leaves we next to no money for the cartridge - presumably an Ittok with a cartridge sounds better than Aro without?
I think I might have an old Supex 901 in the cupboard somewhere if I can find it though!

Or should I ditch the prefix in preference for the Aro?

Smike

Should get at least 200-300 quid for the ittok on Ebay

Paul.

quote:

---

Originally posted by smike42:
presumably an Ittok with a cartridge sounds better than Aro without?

---

Yes, in this case the Ittok will actually sound better

Ittok/Prefix vs Aro/internal boards is another matter but I guess Aro/internal boards will sound better.

As a prefix is about £400 and an Aro £1,250 less say £250 for the Ittok I'm about £600 short on the cartridge.

So Aro/internal boards/Lyra entry level
vs
Ittok/Prefix/Helikon SL

any offers on which route will sound best?

Smike

Mike,

Ortofon Rohmann 1,050 GBP

This is what I use, but not in a turntable or arm from the Scottish company. Never-the-less may be worth considering.

Regards,

Paul.

I happen to have a spare Hicap at the moment so that's a no cost item for me - I suppose it's a what I would get for it item actually (maybe £250-£300)

Smike

I had to do this sans audition, and plumped for the Helikon (not the SL - don't assume that the SL will always sound better than its higher output sister - it will only sound better in a few select applications, such as particular Naim phono boards).

I did to- and fro- a bit over my choice - the Dynavectors were tempting - but in the end I've only really ever read positive things about the Helikon, and the description of its strengths mated well with the things I was seeking.

Should get it plus the newly 'Geddoned deck in a week or two. My 'Geddon is in, just waiting on the cartridge and a new Aro tonearm cable...

Excitement!

John

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Any idea which boards ? I'm about to have a prefix fitted and haven't specified the boards yet. My Troika uses K but will work with S too

Smike

quote:

---

Originally posted by smike42:
presumably an Ittok with a cartridge sounds better than Aro without?

---

When I did the comparison (admittedly over 10 years ago) I found the Ittok better than the Aro even when the Aro was equipped with a cartridge.

Sorry - I couldn't resist.

Perhaps I should duck now before the flak starts flying

Be careful of the Helikon SL. Quality control is a problem. I have heard one that was an absolute dog and have heard from others that they have had similiar experiences.

Ira