Josh Simpson
New Member
I know with this table I'm limited to a p-mount, but I might as well get the best one I can find. As someone who is still fairly new to this, I could use some help.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Best cartridge for Technics sl qd33
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Josh Simpson
New Member
I think there is a little screw adjustment thing at the back end of the arm that adjusts that? I just don't know much about how it works, but yes.
As for budget? I didn't know costly p-mount cartridges get. Last I got may have been the one you mentioned. I was just curious how much better the quality can get with those type.
I'm using a Kenwood basic c1 preamp and some yamaha speakers and a newer Sony theater receiver, so I'm by no means high end. I'm just looking to upgrade one piece at a time.
As for budget? I didn't know costly p-mount cartridges get. Last I got may have been the one you mentioned. I was just curious how much better the quality can get with those type.
I'm using a Kenwood basic c1 preamp and some yamaha speakers and a newer Sony theater receiver, so I'm by no means high end. I'm just looking to upgrade one piece at a time.
SA-708
Appalachian-American
At the high end of the price range, as far as currently-produced p-mount cartridges go, you can get the Grado Gold1 as a p-mount. Grado cartridges can have shielding issues that cause them to hum in some Technics direct drive turntables. I'd be certain that it would work with your SL-QD33 before spending around $220 on one. The Grado line includes 5 other p-mount models ranging down to $60 for the Black.
Another option would be the Ortofon X1-MCP, a high output moving coil p-mount that I have been impressed with. I think it lists for under $200. Your Kenwood preamp should be able to handle the slightly-lower output volume.
At the other end of the range, Stanton and Shure still make one p-mount model each, both with rather basic stylii, positioned at the bottom of their product lines. Both can be improved with stylus upgrades. The Audio-Technica model already mentioned is often mentioned as a good buy, with nicer line contact or Shibata stylii also available.
If you are willing to look at used or new-old-stock cartridges, perhaps with new replacement stylii, your p-mount options can open up. I've done this quite a bit (I have a collection of around 50 p-mount cartridges) and could give you some pointers if you wanted to start looking at used cartridges for sale or auction online.
Another option would be the Ortofon X1-MCP, a high output moving coil p-mount that I have been impressed with. I think it lists for under $200. Your Kenwood preamp should be able to handle the slightly-lower output volume.
At the other end of the range, Stanton and Shure still make one p-mount model each, both with rather basic stylii, positioned at the bottom of their product lines. Both can be improved with stylus upgrades. The Audio-Technica model already mentioned is often mentioned as a good buy, with nicer line contact or Shibata stylii also available.
If you are willing to look at used or new-old-stock cartridges, perhaps with new replacement stylii, your p-mount options can open up. I've done this quite a bit (I have a collection of around 50 p-mount cartridges) and could give you some pointers if you wanted to start looking at used cartridges for sale or auction online.
Josh Simpson
New Member
You've been very helpful. Thank you. I wasn't sure how high of quality I could go with my particular turntable, but from my $30 Audio Technica cartridge, I'd like to build on that a bit, as even with my modest equipment I think I can make some improvements.
Bob_in_OKC
Addicted Member
Among P-mount cartridges, the Ortofon OMP-10 is very nice and can be upgraded with their 20, 30 or 40 stylus.
SA-708
Appalachian-American
No problem. Someday when I get around to it, I plan to write up a guide to p-mount cartridges.
The more I think about it, upgrading the stylus on your $30 cartridge to something like this -- http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-213-DHE_p_3820.html -- would get you a good upgrade in sound quality.
Do you have a copy of the LP of Doppelganger, that's in your avatar? I have Vox Humana & Fearful Symmetry on vinyl, and the CD/book set of the whole Alarma Chronicles.
Josh Simpson
New Member
I own CDs of the alarms Chronicles, but have located copies of Horrendus Disc and possibly Doppelgänger. I'm going to Arlington TX to Forever Young records to find out for sure.
Josh Simpson
New Member
For a newbie, is upgrading a stylus pretty easy? For the record, the cartridge I have is an AT3482p
davidro
Lunatic Member
hakaplan
Needs professional help
The AT-92ECD is the same as your cartridge with a better elliptical stylus. I forgot to mention the lpgear Series VL and VS cartridges and replacement styli, (line contact and Shibata, respectively) for this body style (3482). These are top notch and a very economical way to end up with a excellent cartridge.
hakaplan
Needs professional help
The AT-331LP is not currently available, but the Series VL I mentioned is the current clone of that cartridge. I have the original and agree--it is one top notch cart.
garyglobal
New Member
I have a SL-QD33, with an AKG cartridge, in excellent condition, however, one channel is missing. I've examined the inside of the turntable and all wiring appears to be in place. Any suggestions other than to try another p-mount cartridge?
Balifly
Listening
Have you checked the interconnect cables for continuity? :scratch2:
Current production (or recent production still available new) p-mounts
Audio Technica AT92 and relatives (3482, 311 etc...)
Shure M92
Ortofon OMP10/20/30/40
Ortofon 310/320
Ortofon X1-MCP
Grado Black through to Gold
Of the above the very best is undoubtedly the OMP40 - performance is at the same level (many believe better!) than the 2M Black - a top cartridge by any standard.
There are also stylus upgrade options available for the above....
The AT92 family - there are aftermarket styli of excellent quality in HE, VL or Shibata format, and you can still get the Audio Technica Microline stylus for it (the ultimate for this body type) - pricing maxes out at $150 for these styli.
The body quality is not to be sneezed at either as it is the same generator used by Clearaudio for their $1200 Virtuoso cartridge (with differing surround/mounting and needle)
The Shure M92 is the same core body that was once used in much more upmarket Shure cartridge, up the the M97HE and M111HE - it can be upgraded hugely by fitting a Jico SAS stylus - this equips it with a high end boron cantilever, and a Microline/Microridge type Namiki needle on the end. Takes it from a nice / ordinary performer to an exceptional top end cartridge in one fell swoop.
Grado family - the current Grado prestige series, and the several generations before it (going back 30 years!) - all have shared the same body format - which means styli are interchangeable.
The current prestige series maxes out at the Gold1 - but the previous generations had cartridges that were replaced by the current wooden bodied Grado series - these were the Signature range(s). Luckily for us, replacement styli for the Signatures are still available - in rising quality - the 8MZ, MCZ and TLZ ($100, $150, $250 I think?)
A humble Grado black fitted with an 8MZ is more economical than a Gold1 and will outperform it. (a Gold1 with 8MZ will do even better...)
One thing to watch out for - the Grado's do need a higher VTF than standard p-mount so some arm adjustment would need to be made.
There are other options that can be found from the Golden age of vinyl (early 80's)..... but finding mint new-old-stock (NOS) can take time, and you do need to know what to look for....
we can help collate a list if you are interested in aiming for this type of "exotica".
Of the cartridges and cartridge/styli just mentioned, I would rank the OM40 and the Shure M92/SAS as the top performers - although I am going to be doing some serious listening to some of the better Grado options and may end up adding a Grado to my recomendations.... we shall see.
One range of discontinued P-mounts for which styli are readily available is the Audio Technica AT102 series (AT102/112/122/132/142/152 - and derivatives - TK4/6, SLT96, RX1500 etc...) - these have the sames stylus mounting as the current AT100/120/440/150 - although the proper authentic p-mount styli for them are a bit lighter, and he current production ones require a higher VTF than p-mount standard.
It so happens that in many cases the additional weight of the stylus on these brings the VTF right into the zone that the styli need .... and the AT150 stylus fitted to one of these is on a par in performance with the Shure/SAS and OM40.... the AT440 stylus on one of these is a great sounding combo too...
hope this helps
bye for now
David
Audio Technica AT92 and relatives (3482, 311 etc...)
Shure M92
Ortofon OMP10/20/30/40
Ortofon 310/320
Ortofon X1-MCP
Grado Black through to Gold
Of the above the very best is undoubtedly the OMP40 - performance is at the same level (many believe better!) than the 2M Black - a top cartridge by any standard.
There are also stylus upgrade options available for the above....
The AT92 family - there are aftermarket styli of excellent quality in HE, VL or Shibata format, and you can still get the Audio Technica Microline stylus for it (the ultimate for this body type) - pricing maxes out at $150 for these styli.
The body quality is not to be sneezed at either as it is the same generator used by Clearaudio for their $1200 Virtuoso cartridge (with differing surround/mounting and needle)
The Shure M92 is the same core body that was once used in much more upmarket Shure cartridge, up the the M97HE and M111HE - it can be upgraded hugely by fitting a Jico SAS stylus - this equips it with a high end boron cantilever, and a Microline/Microridge type Namiki needle on the end. Takes it from a nice / ordinary performer to an exceptional top end cartridge in one fell swoop.
Grado family - the current Grado prestige series, and the several generations before it (going back 30 years!) - all have shared the same body format - which means styli are interchangeable.
The current prestige series maxes out at the Gold1 - but the previous generations had cartridges that were replaced by the current wooden bodied Grado series - these were the Signature range(s). Luckily for us, replacement styli for the Signatures are still available - in rising quality - the 8MZ, MCZ and TLZ ($100, $150, $250 I think?)
A humble Grado black fitted with an 8MZ is more economical than a Gold1 and will outperform it. (a Gold1 with 8MZ will do even better...)
One thing to watch out for - the Grado's do need a higher VTF than standard p-mount so some arm adjustment would need to be made.
There are other options that can be found from the Golden age of vinyl (early 80's)..... but finding mint new-old-stock (NOS) can take time, and you do need to know what to look for....
we can help collate a list if you are interested in aiming for this type of "exotica".
Of the cartridges and cartridge/styli just mentioned, I would rank the OM40 and the Shure M92/SAS as the top performers - although I am going to be doing some serious listening to some of the better Grado options and may end up adding a Grado to my recomendations.... we shall see.
One range of discontinued P-mounts for which styli are readily available is the Audio Technica AT102 series (AT102/112/122/132/142/152 - and derivatives - TK4/6, SLT96, RX1500 etc...) - these have the sames stylus mounting as the current AT100/120/440/150 - although the proper authentic p-mount styli for them are a bit lighter, and he current production ones require a higher VTF than p-mount standard.
It so happens that in many cases the additional weight of the stylus on these brings the VTF right into the zone that the styli need .... and the AT150 stylus fitted to one of these is on a par in performance with the Shure/SAS and OM40.... the AT440 stylus on one of these is a great sounding combo too...
hope this helps
bye for now
David
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Ortofon X1-MCP is not T4p compliant, it is best tracked at 1.8 grams force.
SA-708
Appalachian-American
I'm probably the one that was talking up the ADC PSX-40 (which was also sold as the SER-IV as part of a "Digital Series"). I've really liked this cartridge for years, and have been recommending it more here on AK now that LPGear has new-old-stock available. LPGear and V-M Audio Enthusiasts still have new-old-stock original stylii too, so buying used and replacing the stylus is also an option.
Here's an older thread on these ADCs:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=370003
Here's an older thread on these ADCs:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=370003
