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A TT with 4 cartridges - which should I use?

hamraisin

hamraisin

variable optimist
I just picked up a Pioneer PL-540 (my first Pioneer - man, I am liking it!) and the owner was nice enough to toss in 3 extra cartridges in the deal, none of which I have any experience with: a Grado MC+ (installed), a Grado MOD.FC, a Pickering U38/AT, and an AT125LC. I am leaning towards the latter sight unheard, but do you guys have any hot tips on what I have here?

Coming from my SL-10, this TT feels like a Cadillac! And so heavy...
 
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Congratulations on your new turntable. The 540 is a sweet machine.
The AT is tops here. It does require careful setup because of the linear-contact stylus, but that little bit of extra effort will be well rewarded. The Grados are old - from the late 70s or early 80s - but good if you like the warm Grado sound. I will admit I'm not aware of the Pickering model.
 
Hey thanks Dan - what should I be wary of when setting up the AT? Are their considerations when setting up a linear contact?
 
I have not confirmed, guess I should. Out of all of them, it's the only one that is still in its original box. Need to find a magnifying glass...
 
From what I just read the AT125LC has been discontinued. I've been using the AT440MLa for the past 4 years and it tracks great. Has a Microline stylus for more groove contact and better sound. Current model is AT440MLb and runs for about $199. As far as for what you have it may just take setting up each one and giving them a spin to hear which one sounds the best to your ears.
 
The AT125LC is of the same "family" of Audio Technica cartridges that includes the in production AT100E, AT120Eb, AT440MLb, and AT150Sa. Any of their styli will work with the AT125LC cartridge. The AT440MLb is the closest replacement, though is a step up because it's nude mounted as opposed to bonded. Audio Technica doesn't make any bonded line contact styli any more.
 
Holy crap - that AT cart sounds amazing - much, much better than that Grado. We may be done here gentlemen, ya'll are real peaches. Maybe this winter I'll futz around with the others but for now I am just going so sit in front of the hi-fi and soak it up. Needlestein - the rooster head is white.
 
Just on a side note:

"What's the color of the rooster head?"

"The rooster head is white."

*lol* If I wouldn't know, what you're talking about, this would read just like an exchange of watchwords between two agents... ;)

Grinnings from Munich!
 
The Pick U38/at is very old. Maybe from the 60's. Also not very musical. Might be good for a collection but not much else.
I have been using either the Shure 35c something, Pickering 1200e or the Stanton 681EEE for a long time. Just for giggles I setup my old U38/at but was very disappointed. It sounded flat and not good at all. Granted I used the original stylus from the 60's but never the less it was not nice. Very much a waste of time.
 
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