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AR-XA Cartridge Suggestions

V

VinylSteve

New Member
Good evening, everyone, need some suggestions for a cartridge to be used on an AR-XA with all of the basic mods, Technics SL-220 tone arm wand, jewel bearings etc. Also, for a head shell, what is better, wood, plastic etc.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice.
 
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What's your budget?

If you are running a TECHNICS SL-220 tonearm, it has an Eff. Mass of 13g = "Medium."

This is ideal for the DENON DL-110 High Output MC cartridge.... A long time favourite of ours and of TECHNICS owners everywhere, since 1982!

Expect to pay about USD $200 for a genuine one on eBay - shipped from Hong Kong.

DENON DL-110 High Output Moving Coil"
  • Elliptical stylus - one of the best in the business - is super-quiet and runs deep in the grooves, avoiding a lot of groove damage.
  • 1.5g VTF - your precious vinyl will thank you because heavier VTF has been linked with increased groove-wear.
  • Simply run through your MM phono stage, or go up-market with a MC Phono Stage: Load at 1K-47K, or 100R for really worn LPs
  • Sounds extended at both extremes with no harshness. Superb bass and a touch of warmth through the midband.
  • Great imaging and vocals are nicely projected.
We compare our DENON DL-110 idyllically dialled-in, to both our costlier SHELTER 501/2 and DENON DL-103R cartridges - also both idyllically dialled-in.
(Our DESIGN BUILD LISTEN Wand Plus tonearm provides great flexibility in precisely how it is configured...)

IMHO, the not-as-cheap-as-it-used-to-be - but what is? - DENON DL-110 is not that far behind the other two legendary performers.

DENON DL-110 on WAND PLUS 9.5.jpg

IMPORTANT:
The only downside of the DENON DL-110 is that it sounds pretty lame out of the box. (We almost tossed ours for this... big mistake!)
After 10-20 hours of play, you won't recognise it as the same cartridge! :thumbsup:
 
Originally, a lot of them came with Shure M91E's I believe. I'd recommend a few used cartridges to try with your system, Shure, AT, Empire, Ortofon, etc. I think a standard Technics headshell would be nice, unless you need something heavier.
 
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