Cartridge rec for LP12/Nait2/Kans? (lengthy I'm afraid)

Johnn

There's a rumour going around the Linn forums that Linn are about to launch a new range of MM cartridges.

So there is likely to be something to suite your price range. The K18 was a stonking cartridge when I heard it in a similar system to yours (LP12/Valhalla/Ittok/K18/LK1/LK280/Kan II) - maybe it will be replaced by something similar.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

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I'm stumped. I have a Valhalla'd LP12/Ittok LVII running into a Nait 1 into early (Scanspeak) Kans. A Nait 2 is on the way. (I've used a Nait1 since 1984ish. Had a just-serviced 42/110 for a bit and went back to a Nait - another story).
Looking for the right cartridge.

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Interesting position. I am a real fan of the Nait 1, I recently got hold of one in a weird cartridge deal, and it truly is a stunning amp. I am almost tempted to ditch my normal 32.5 / Hicap / 250, use the Nait, and get a decent stand alone phono stage and upgrade my CD player with the proceeds. The difference between my aged and un-recapped Nait and my recently serviced main amp is there to be heard in an A B, but some how is not actually that important to me from a musical perspective. The Nait sounds far, far better than it has any right to, and I like that in a component.

I am a front end first fundamentalist, and after hearing my Nait am now pretty much of the opinion that it partnered with a good cheap second hand pair of speakers like my Kans is all that is needed until one has a totally max'd out front end (LP12 / P9 / CDS2 etc). The problem is that I can't use my P9 as it stands with my Nait as I run a low output MC. I consider the phono stage to be part of the front end, so ultimately it is probably worth my considering a quality stand alone one. I would think the competitors are the Naim Prefix and Stageline (plus PSU), Tom Evans Microgroove, Exposure, Lehmann Black Cube, Densen. Does the Nait 2 have a MC option? The Nait 1 is obviously hard wired MM with no removable cards. The Nait 1 also has too few inputs for me.

Ah well, back to the actual question! What cartridge? Honest answer is I don't know. I have never heard the DV20H, but I have been far less than enamoured with the DV17 and XX1L, though they both have their fans (normally people with better phono stages than my 32.5's). I have never wanted to go back to a MM cartridge since getting my first MC over 15 years ago. IMHO MC cartridges are simply better. I have never used a high output one. I would look into a good MC and a phono stage. Linn, Lyra, Ortofon, Dynavector etc all have their fans here, so I would try to hear a few if at all possible. Each brand seems to have a slightly different sonic signature, and each attracts a following. The other alternate would be to risk your whole record collection on a Decca - lightening fast, great fun, high output, though virtually zero tracking ability!

What made you go back to the Nait from your 42/110? Have you compared a Nait 1 to a Nait 2? I am interested in that if the Nait 2 is even better than my original Nait I might get one!

Tony.

Interesting requirement you have, and one that I can relate to.

I have an LP12 / Ittok / Klyde, that I currently run through a Prefix, into 5 series equipment.

Previous to this I used a Nait3, with MC boards.

Last year I returned my Nait 3 to Naim for some work, and to keep me in music whilst it was away, I moved my Nait1 (fully serviced a few years ago) from my PC (!) to the main system. I also dusted off a pair of Sony MC transformers I had kicking around, that I believe are just rebadged Ortofon T-10's.

If you're not familiar with these they are a small MC transformer with a phono plug on one end, and a phono socket on the other. They plug directly into the NAIT's MM input.

I should also mention I use Linn Kans.

I hadn't used this amp for serious music replay for years, but was very pleasantly suprised to find it sounded really great, and as Tony says, much better than it really has any right to for such an unassuming-looking and inexpensive product. Truly engaging, communicative and much more powerful and than the specs would imply.

My Nait3 is better, but I didn't miss it greatly whilst it was away, since the humble Nait1 was so good.

The MC transformers are quite microphonic, so they make the placement of the amp a little more sensitive, but they do allow the major benefits of the Klyde to show through.

Before the Klyde I've had K9 and K18 / K18 II cartridges, the MC is still demostrably better, despite the modest transformers.

I've no idea whether these are still available, but I'd strongly recommend investigating this option, with an MC cartridge that fits your budget. The Klyde was about 500ukp, not sure what they are now.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes

Worth looking for s/h, as I'm sure there's loads of unused ones in peoples closets or drawers.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes

I have not yet received the Nait2 (due tomorrow) so can't offer any opinions yet on the differences. Re my 42/110 - it was resolving more detail to be sure, it sounded "fast," it just kind of left me cold. that said, I'm not sure I won't have another go at separates, though I'd really like to stick with a Nait, keep it simple, and restrict my crazy-making to the front end.
Which I am most capable of doing. I've Had 4 LP-12s, 2 P3s, a P25. At one point I foolishly (but very profitably) parted with an Lp12/Aro. The Aro was better, no doubt. Less bass - more accurate quite possibly, but there was less, and on some recordings that made bass lines a little hard to follow. But the mids - I have never, ever, heard piano sound so convincing (I grew up in a house with pianists, with multiple Steinways eating up huge chunks of space).
I once tried a Denon DL-304 with a matching Denon AU-300 transformer - no good, I am fairly certain the transformer was the log-jam.
I will add info on the Nait2 when it shows and after I've let it settle in for a bit.

Thanks for so much useful info

Regards

John…

John

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"Why would anyone use a transformer when a Stageline costs 175 quid? Is there some benefit?"

I used an ortofon T30 transformer when I bought a used LP12/Ittok/Karma last year and was surprised how good it sounded.

I did consider a stageline which I'm sure would have sounded much better, but this would have also required a seperate power supply and would have meant using the tuner input leaving just a tape input and a redundant phono on my Nait 1.

As it turned out the Karma was pretty knackered anyway (not surprising considering it's age) so I now have a high output MC (DV 10x4) into the phono. (And a MC transformer and knackered Karma in the cupboard).

Hope you can follow all that!

Steve B

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Why would anyone use a transformer when a Stageline costs 175 quid? Is there some benefit?

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I can think of two reasons: -

1. Transformer doesn't need a PSU for it to work.

2. Transformer can be much cheaper to get you going, if you can find a decent one at a sensible price.

A stageline + a Flatcap 2 = £600

I'm not sure about the benefits of either method. Naims phono stages are fantastic, and transformers can be microphonic and need equally careful design.

The only reason for suggesting them was that with a Nait they work amazingly well for something so small, but I'm certain a stageline will be better. It's just the phono stage and PSU now costs more than the Nait!

Could use a s/h SNAPS though...

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes