Buy the VPI Scout. For under $1000, it's a steal, even used.

tmidgett wrote:

Redline wrote:geiginni wrote:

The problem with my current setup is it will not track the really hot dynamic parts well

Try 2 grams, really, it's ok. More damage is usually done to the groove walls by tracking too lightly.
You also may want to step up to one of the wood bodied Grado's, it made a world of difference for me.

Since this thread has been revived, I just wanted to second the wood-bodied Grados.

I just got a Grado Sonata. It's fantastic. Not cheap, but not riotously expensive for what it is, which is an awesome phono cartridge. I had a Shure V15vxMR for many years before this one, and there's no comparison between the two.

You're still using a P3 right? I've been interested in this cartridge for a while now but have been reserved on the fact that it apparently causes hum on Linn tables. However, I'm now looking into a motor upgrade and I'm curious if this new motor will have less interference.

I'm seriously considering buying a Rega turntable. A lot of people see the P3 as being much better than the P2. Does anyone have any experience with the P5--'cause that's what I'm leaning towards:

Brett Eugene Ralph wrote:I'm seriously considering buying a Rega turntable. A lot of people see the P3 as being much better than the P2. Does anyone have any experience with the P5--'cause that's what I'm leaning towards:

I have no doubt it is better than a P3 - the tonearm is better, for one thing. That is a lot to spend on a Rega, though. You are veering close to used VPI or Linn territory. You could get a good conditon LP-12 with an Ittok tonearm on Ebay for that price. Get it set up professionally and get a good cartridge, and you are probably far ahead of a Rega.

I would also consider a moving coil cartridge, if you can swing it, and your electronics can deal with it. They sound much much better, and track better too.

Everyone who has had problems with the tracking on the cheaper Grados: they do that sometimes. The cheap Grados are fairly stiff - they like a higher mass tonearm.

the$inmusicisallmine wrote:

Brett Eugene Ralph wrote:I'm seriously considering buying a Rega turntable. A lot of people see the P3 as being much better than the P2. Does anyone have any experience with the P5--'cause that's what I'm leaning towards:

I have no doubt it is better than a P3 - the tonearm is better, for one thing. That is a lot to spend on a Rega, though. You are veering close to used VPI or Linn territory. You could get a good conditon LP-12 with an Ittok tonearm on Ebay for that price. Get it set up professionally and get a good cartridge, and you are probably far ahead of a Rega.

I would also consider a moving coil cartridge, if you can swing it, and your electronics can deal with it. They sound much much better, and track better too.

Everyone who has had problems with the tracking on the cheaper Grados: they do that sometimes. The cheap Grados are fairly stiff - they like a higher mass tonearm.

Tim Midgett recommends the Grado Sonata cartridge elsewhere on here; is that a "moving coil" cartridge that would be compatible with the P5?

Brett Eugene Ralph wrote:
Tim Midgett recommends the Grado Sonata cartridge elsewhere on here; is that a "moving coil" cartridge that would be compatible with the P5?

the Grado Sonata is a fixed coil - moving iron cartidge. Joe Grado - although he claims to have invented the Moving Coil cartridge, does not sell any. His top of the line Statement is a hybrid moving iron/moving coil design. I have not heard the Statement or the Sonata.

Moving coils in general present a much easier load for a preamp, although their output is much much lower than a moving iron or moving magnet cartridge. Your phono preamp needs to have a dedicated MC input, or you need a step-up transformer between the MC cart. and a standard MM input. The benefit is a much nicer frequency response (generally) especially in the high end and mids.

I am familiar with the plastic bodied Grados - they are great sounding cartidges for their modest price points. I have owned several. And they have replaceable styli, which is nice. However, I find them significantly colored. They present a nice warm sound, but the high end lacks some detail and the mids are emphasized a bit too much.

You will find as you upgrade the table and the arm and the associated electronics, you need a cartridge that is stiffer (hence metal or wooden bodies) and can track better (more expensive shaped diamond tip and fancy boron cantilever, better spring wire in the cantilever, fancier rubber suspension). I find better moving coil cartridges (I currently have a Linn Troika) present much greater detail, do better dynamics (drums have more snap) have much less fatiguing highs, and voices sound real, not overly chesty.

Any medium compliance cartridge would work on a REga p5, since the tonearm (an upgraded version of the venerable RB300) has good bearings, is very stiff, and is of medium mass. Cartridge compliance (the "springiness" of the cantilever) must be matched with the tonearm.

There are so many variations, it is best to talk to the person selling and installing the cartridge, and ask them if it is a good match to a particular turntable. Rega sells some good cartridges. They have a $300 one that is made for the RB300 tonearm. They also sell a $1700 MC cartridge.

Edited: I was distracted. I wanted to add that Benz micro, Denon and Ortofon make some good less expensive MC cartridges. For mid-priced (and in my system) MC's I am looking at a lyra or maybe the Koetsu Black. I may also stay on the reservation and get a Linn Klyde.

the$inmusicisallmine wrote:I am familiar with the plastic bodied Grados - they are great sounding cartidges for their modest price points. I have owned several. And they have replaceable styli, which is nice. However, I find them significantly colored. They present a nice warm sound, but the high end lacks some detail and the mids are emphasized a bit too much.

exactly my feelings about my own grado silver(?) i think. i prefer the sumiko blue point series, any of them.

Forgive me if this is totally elementary, you all, but I am the least educated person on earth when it comes to mechanical/electronic devices. I'm looking at these Grado Sonata cartridges, and there are two available: .4 MV output and .5 MV. What's the difference--and while you're at it, what does that even mean?

Thanks for indulging my ignorance, everybody. I appreciate it.

One cartridge puts out .4 millivolts and the other puts out .5 millivolts. In contrast, a moving magnet cartridge typically puts out around 4.0millivolts.

This is a measurement of the the cartridge's output, as it relates to the function of transducing the continuously varying motion of the needle in the groove into a corresponding electronic impulse that goes downstream.

Louder does not necessarily equate to an ability to retrieve detail, though.

Brett Eugene Ralph wrote:Forgive me if this is totally elementary, you all, but I am the least educated person on earth when it comes to mechanical/electronic devices. I'm looking at these Grado Sonata cartridges, and there are two available: .4 MV output and .5 MV. What's the difference--and while you're at it, what does that even mean?

Thanks for indulging my ignorance, everybody. I appreciate it.

Brett:

These two pages might help, one is by Jim Hagerman, he gets into loads and impedance issues as well as capacitance which is a factor with MM's and not with MC's. The second is a FAQ by Van Den Hul, it covers most topics related to phono carts.

The cart you are looking at has a low output much like a moving coil cartridge. If you want something low output, I recommend the Denon Dl 103, it's one of the best moving coil's ever made. The standard 103 is around $150 new, which is also nice. Don't let the price fool you, I'm heavy into this stuff and have heard a lot of high end carts and the 103 does everything right, I could live with it forever. Before you spend big money, you can borrow one of mine, I also have a SUT (Step-up transformer with Beyer Dynamic mic transfomers installed), you can borrow that as well. If you dig it, then cool, if not you move on, but no money spent.

Are you getting a Rega table with an RB arm?

Jim's page:

http://www.hagtech.com/loading.html

VDH:

http://www.vandenhul.com/userfiles/docs/Phono_FAQ.pdf

Dl 103 page:

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Denon.html