Luckytiger
Member
Just got a Rek-O-Kut N-33H Turntable with Micropoise Arm. Wondering if you have any recommendations for a cartridge. Rather not spend more than a couple hundred bucks.
Ideas?
Ideas?
Cart ideas for Rek-O-Kut!
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grooveman
Super Member
Since the Micropoise is a heavier mass tonearm, a lower compliant cartridge is probably you're best option. A Denon 103R, Stanton or Shure DJ type cartridges with a VTF of 3 grams should do nicely. You can always go for a vintage Shure M3D, but they're getting a bit pricey and replacement styli can be hit or miss.
SFBayArch
Super Member
I like the M3D too but in light of the difficulty finding good replacement styli
Here's what sounds like a good alternative for a higher mass tonemarm:
Shure SC35C... Highly recommended
Here's what sounds like a good alternative for a higher mass tonemarm:
Shure SC35C... Highly recommended
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
I have a Rek-O-Kut with an S-120 arm (which I think is nearly identical to the Micropoise in specs).
I've tried a Shure M91ED with a 3 gram stylus, but it seemed to choke under the arm's mass. No soundstage and very congested compared to the same cart on a more typical arm.
I then tried a DL-103 (not the "R" which is a light tracker) and hated the way it sounded and tracked; Hay-Ted It!
So I bought a Shure SC 35C becasue someone here suggested it was actually different than the Shure M78S I already had (it isn't). That sounded more stale and uninvolving than the choked-down M91ED.
I eventually settled on a lowly Stanton 500 MKII with a 3.5 gram stylus (and 78 stylus as well) Really like the sound/performance of the Stanton.
BTW, the phono stages used were an Art DJII, a Musical Fidelity V-LPs (first gen) and a Jolida JD9.
IMO, the ROK 'table and arm are not worth spending more than $50 to mount a cartridge on. But that's just me. Mine is a second 'table for fun.
I've tried a Shure M91ED with a 3 gram stylus, but it seemed to choke under the arm's mass. No soundstage and very congested compared to the same cart on a more typical arm.
I then tried a DL-103 (not the "R" which is a light tracker) and hated the way it sounded and tracked; Hay-Ted It!
So I bought a Shure SC 35C becasue someone here suggested it was actually different than the Shure M78S I already had (it isn't). That sounded more stale and uninvolving than the choked-down M91ED.
I eventually settled on a lowly Stanton 500 MKII with a 3.5 gram stylus (and 78 stylus as well) Really like the sound/performance of the Stanton.
BTW, the phono stages used were an Art DJII, a Musical Fidelity V-LPs (first gen) and a Jolida JD9.
IMO, the ROK 'table and arm are not worth spending more than $50 to mount a cartridge on. But that's just me. Mine is a second 'table for fun.
SFBayArch
Super Member
I would agree. I picked up a Rondine because I thought they were so beautiful and despite all my cajoling, I couldn't get it to sound better than my Lab 80.
Having said that, it sang best with my Shure M3d / N3D combo. At that time I kept the tracking under 4 grams, but I sold the Rondine to fund a Lenco purchase and I kept the M3d but figured out later that it performed best tracking at 5 grams!!
Wish I could have given that Rondine another spin with what I knew now with that M3D.
Find an N21D or a modern equivalent. I've happily run that combo in the 3-3.5g range.
To those knocking the Rek's performance...were those machines unrestored or did you clean and lubricate everything, make sure the idler was smooth, etc.?
To those knocking the Rek's performance...were those machines unrestored or did you clean and lubricate everything, make sure the idler was smooth, etc.?
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Maybe you weren't talking to me, b/c i don't think I was quite knocking it's performance (just stating my take on it's rightful place in my line-up), but in case you thought I was:
I've pretty much fully restored mine; new grommets, rebuilt idler wheel (just on the LP side so far), polished main bearing as well as the idler shafts, new graphite washers, etc,etc.., custom plinth (an even 50 lbs!), cleaned and lubed arm bearings, etc.
There's a 142 post thread documenting the whole project if you're bored:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=406620
But if you just want to see it, here's a picture (running the Denon 103 through the Jolida at the time):
Luckytiger
Member
Shure SC35C on order. Thanks guys.
Luckytiger
Member
Love this cartridge.
And here is what it ended up on. This thing is beautiful!
And here is what it ended up on. This thing is beautiful!
Maybe you weren't talking to me, b/c i don't think I was quite knocking it's performance (just stating my take on it's rightful place in my line-up), but in case you thought I was:
I've pretty much fully restored mine; new grommets, rebuilt idler wheel (just on the LP side so far), polished main bearing as well as the idler shafts, new graphite washers, etc,etc.., custom plinth (an even 50 lbs!), cleaned and lubed arm bearings, etc.
There's a 142 post thread documenting the whole project if you're bored:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=406620
But if you just want to see it, here's a picture (running the Denon 103 through the Jolida at the time):
Nice Rek. It would be rather interesting to see what, if any, performance differences exist between the various Rek lines when in equal condition.
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Well these Rondine Jrs have lesser specs then the Rondines. The s/n ratio is rated at a rather pathetic 30-something. However, I know I have the noise floor lower than that on this one as measured (unweighted) in Audacity; it's more like mid-50's.
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Can you tell us a little more? What do you love about it? And what is your reference cartridge(s)
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Kent T's Rek-O-Kut Micropoise tonearm rule of thumb. If it is a cartridge often used in small town radio stations, odds are it will play nice on a Micropoise arm. Same goes with Gray, Audax, Jelco high mass, Fidelity Research, and Audio-Technica ATP series.
