Are there companies that install new needles into discontinued cartridges?

[ctjetta]

Put an Audio Technica VM95E for $69 on it and be done. Or a VM95C for similar performance to what you have now.

Didn't I say just that in post #26?!

Just spitballin' here, but as that appears to be "low mass arm" with an ADC headshell wouldn't we want a higher compliance cartridge? Would an AT VM95 be suitable? I'm guessing that's the level of performance this TT/arm deserves.
Certainly many vintage carts, but that opens up a whole 'nother can of worms.

 

[flavio81]

For example: I strongly prefer the Ortofon Omega to any Audio-Technica for $100 or less. The Omega is less than $40.

I'm taking note!! I never dared to try the Omega, simply because if one considers how much Ortofon overprices their cartridges today, I can compute a overpricing correction factor of :

$119 (AT-VM95EN) / $225 (Ortofon 2M Blue) = 0.52

Based on Amazon.com pricing.

This means that the $36.99 Ortofon Omega is cost-equivalent to a $19.23 Audio-Technica cartridge when we use the Ortofon Overpricing Correction.

So I assumed the Omegas would have a really cheap stylus tip that maybe is not aligned correctly...

 

[ETI_5000]

Right, the field magnet and field poles stayed in the fixed portion.

Yes - the magnet and poles stay in the body, when you remove the stylus/coil assembly. Sansui actually sold the AT-3100S with their then top model XP-99 turntables in some areas in the 1980's, so it was an improvement on the cartridges some Japanese manufacturers fitted to their turntables.

 

[Blue Shadow]

honestly I suspect too much fuss is made about VTA.

We can check this with the OTF VTA of the Magnepan arm when we have another gig. I recall dong this in the store back then and the difference was noticeable but it took a few turns (at 0.22° per turn) to get the sound to go off. A full degree or two did not seem to make much difference but outside that range one could hear the changes.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

I found a PL-740 with a REGA carbon cart on the stock head and tone arm. I kind of want to go with a whole new 1/2" HOMC cart if i can get any better SQ. Having 2 identical TT's sounds boring.

Any suggestions for a HOMC under 400$? I have a lot to learn.

I know this is a MM but at least this confirms a swap is possible. I did measure the head holes at 1/2" also
View attachment 2799551 View attachment 2799552

Saw this on eBay, just purchased a LOMC Denon DL-301MKII from the same seller.