Audio Technica AT ML180 - What Turntable and Arm?

[maesyfed]

Forgive the double post but I previously had a significant typo in the subject line.

I have just acquired an Audio Technica AT-ML180 cartridge and I am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what tonearm and turntable combination would best mate with it so as to enable this superb cartridge to perform at its musical optimum.

In other words, I want to start with the cartridge and work up stream from there (rather than starting with a turntable and tonearm and then looking for a cartridge).

 

[marcmorin]

Forgive the double post but I previously had a significant typo in the subject line.

I have just acquired an Audio Technica AT-ML180 cartridge and I am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what tonearm and turntable combination would best mate with it so as to enable this superb cartridge to perform at its musical optimum.

In other words, I want to start with the cartridge and work up stream from there (rather than starting with a turntable and tonearm and then looking for a cartridge).

AH......good idea. A starting point instead of hunt and peck. however, you haven't given an idea of what you want to spend, and what other needs you have. the drive mech of the table isn't a deciding issue, as there are fine examples of the three types, as well as horrid examples. regarding tonearm, the compliance of the cart is roughly 17 if figured at 10hz. that gets you in the neighborhood of 10gr em on the low side, 14-16gr em on the high side. regarding tables, you want one that keeps correct speed, and is quiet and accurate. quiet goes beyond motor unit. How immune it is to outside influence. In money, quiet to outside influence is easiest to find in suspended belt drive, followed by suspended DD. bouncy floors not withstanding. non-sprung tables then comes isolating the table from outside influence via mounting, where it's mounted.

 

[maesyfed]

I'd consider spending up to something around $10,000 for arm and turntable.

Regarding the mounting of the turntable, non-sprung table would be fine. There are no bouncy floors. I have a solidly welded steel table sitting directly on the concrete floor slab, on top of which is a 3/4" marble slab All of which supports my current turntable which is an updated (Khan, Sole, MOSE + Hercules) Linn LP12.

 

[maesyfed]

I should have added that the turntable needs to be able to play both 33rpm and 45rpm LPs.

 

[marcmorin]

I should have added that the turntable needs to be able to play both 33rpm and 45rpm LPs.

the Linn table, if equipped with at least Linn Akito, better yet, Ittok, etc should play that cart just fine. You're not gonna "out-cart" that table with the AT. I'm not disparaging the cart, but you have enough front end to extract what the cart will extract. If Linn arm equipped, you can extract a different flavor from the cart with the SME 309 arm.