Better cartridge - Audio Technica LS400 or Dual DMS 251S?

[mhjmhjones]

I'm looking to upgrade the cartridge on my Dual 1226. Currently has a Shure M70EJ.

Which is the better cartridge?

Thanks!

 

[RonniB]

I would suggest the AT LS400. Good specs, healthy output voltage, light tracking, 3 x 7 nude "biRadial" stylus = good sounds without undo record wear, won't need gonzo amp to push sound.

Just my $0.02...

 

[mhjmhjones]

I would suggest the AT LS400. Good specs, healthy output voltage, light tracking, 3 x 7 nude "biRadial" stylus = good sounds without undo record wear, won't need gonzo amp to push sound.

Just my $0.02...

View attachment 888539

Thanks!!
I have found that it's not easy to find an array of replacement styli for these older carts. I found these, but I can't tell if they are any good or not:
http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATSLS400.html
http://www.lptunes.com/Stylus-for-Audio-Technica-LS-400-LS400-cartridge-p/atsls400.htm
https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...ica-AT12XE-etc--our-needle-201-DEX_p_918.html
http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=99


I installed the DMS 251S last night (the AT needs a stylus) and it sounded pretty good! I think better than the Shure M70EJ - but it's kind of hard to tell sometimes, depending on the quality of the vinyl you are using to demo. My first cartridge replacement was successful!

 

[mhjmhjones]

I found these styli for the DMS 251S:
https://www.turntableneedles.com/find4.asp?manfg=DUAL&modelname=DN-251S&Select=Model
http://www.lpgear.com/product/DN251S.html
https://www.turntableneedles.com/ATN3600-Type-Stylus-for-AT3600-etc--our-Needle-211-D6T_p_650.html
https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...ca-AT3600-etc--our-Needle-211-DHE_p_3818.html

I'm still looking for a review or specs on the DMS 251S cart.

 

[ripblade]

The Dual is AT's current entry level cartridge. The ATLS400 is part of an older lineup that was better quality, IMO. You can still get decent needles for it, I believe.

 

[Grbluen]

I spent a lot of time with the ls400, and I don't believe the spec sheet. It's a nice cartridge, but 28kHz, uh I don't think so.
Go for one of the AT 440s!

 

[mhjmhjones]

For what it's worth, everyone was right - the LS400 is the better cart! I found one of these Shure Audio Obstacle Course records: https://www.discogs.com/Various-Audio-Obstacle-Course-Era-III-The-Shure-Trackability-Test-Record/release/1204527 and the LS400 outperformed the Dual.

The record I got for a buck at a Goodwill and it was pretty cool - it had a series of tests: high frequency, sibilance and bass at various output (volume?) levels in the grooves. The Dual started to fail at higher levels on the sibilance and bass tests.