Best cartridge for my setup?

[GuiteLectric]

Hi folks!

First post here

I need to replace the needle on my Technics SL-Q202. The cartridge I have right now is an AT-10 and it sounds a little thin to my taste, so I want to change the cartridge. The two contenders are the AT95e and the Ortofon M2 Red. My main concerns are:

1-The amp vs nominal output of the cartridge. It’s a 5W RH84 with upgraded transformers. The output of the AT is 3.95mV while the Ortofon is 5.5mV. I guess the Ortofon is better since volume might be an issue? In comparison, the AT-10, at 4.5mV is quiet compared to my CD player.

BUT

2- Nominal output vs phono preamp. My preamp is a Cambridge Audio 540p and in the spec sheet it is said to have a nominal input of 3.35mV and 39db of amplification. Can the Ortofon overload the preamp?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Catcher10]

I would also look at a Nagaoka MP200 if you want a bit more low end to come thru, along with higher resolution. The MP200 is 4mV output and based on that you need about 38dB of gain for line level input, at 5.5mV you only need about 35dB of gain, so all that might happen is you introduce the chance of noise at 5.5mV and 39dB of gain. If the 540P gain is adjustable just lower it to 35-36dB.

 

[Johnny B]

The Ortofon is still going to be quieter than your CD player. I haven’t heard the AT-10, so I don’t know how it compares, but the Ortofon isn’t exactly known for its low end. It sounds fine in my system now that I’ve got it set up properly, but others have complained about the low end. There’s definitely less than the last cartridge I had on the turntable (Grado Black), but I’ll take the trade off in better top end. But YMMV.

 

[jrtrent]

I need to replace the needle on my Technics SL-Q202. The cartridge I have right now is an AT-10 and it sounds a little thin to my taste, so I want to change the cartridge. The two contenders are the AT95e and the Ortofon M2 Red. . .

From past experience, I don't believe either of those options will alleviate the thin sound you are getting. My favorites from AT are the AT91R and CN5625AL.

 

[GuiteLectric]

Thanks for your help, it’s truly appreciated!

By thin sounding I don’t mean lacking bass as much as too much/shrill treble, or maybe lacking midrange. But to be honest, it’s been a couple of months since I last listened to it. But that’s how I remember it.

So if I understand correctly, I should look for a cartridge with around 3.5mV of output with my preamp? Can the preamp distort with too much gain from the cartridge or is it the amp that will?

 

[Johnny B]

So if I understand correctly, I should look for a cartridge with around 3.5mV of output with my preamp? Can the preamp distort with too much gain from the cartridge or is it the amp that will?

The preamp. But the amp will, of course, then amplify that distortion. But I would very surprised if you could overload a preamp made for MM cartridges with an MM cartridge. You could pair it with one that’s less than ideal, but any decent preamp should be able to handle a hot cartridge without overloading,

Now if you’re trying to plug an MM cartridge into a LOMC preamp, that’s a different story.