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Cartridge Advice Needed!

MarmotDavid

MarmotDavid

New Member
I'm looking for recommendations for a phono cartridge and advice or commentary.

Here's my situation- My AR ES-1 turntable was in storage for about 22 years. It has a Premiere MMT tonearm and a Premiere VTA-16 metal mounting board, which were added by me about 1993. I also have several Sumiko Premiere HS-12 headshells, all in working condition. Everything appears to be good.

However, I have two cartridge bodies from the early 90's both with broken and missing cantilevers. The first is a Grace F-9 with a translucent green plastic (I think it was the Grace F-9E which came with the table when I bought it used in 1988). The second cartridge is a Shure V15V-MR, purchased new by me in the early 1990's Again, both with no cantilever/stylus. I really don't remember what happened!

I'm willing to spend up to $450 for the best new cartridge or repair of an existing one. The turntable is connected to my Counterpoint SA-1000 preamp which has a full tube phono stage, capable of playing medium output MC cartridges.

I'm no longer up to date on the current cartridge models or the synergy / combinations with this particular table and arm. Any advice is appreciated. I am open to any questions if I haven't provided enough information!
 
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OK, not being actually familiar with either of those cartridges, but, having read just recently here a on AK, other than an original stylus for the F-9 Soundsmith is considered a very good source of styli for that cartridge.
As for the Shure V15V-MR the Jico SAS styli are said to be excellent styli for that cart. Shures seem to have many options.
Now, having said all that, I don't believe either is a good match for that tone arm. The Premier MMT is often said to have an effective mass of 20 grams. The cartridges you have typically would be hapiper in a tone arm with less effective mass.
Which is not to say they won't work or aren't worth the investment. But, with your stated budget you have many options without compromising.
An example might be the Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge that I've seen for $499 (found randomly online). See-
Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge — Sumiko Phono Cartridges
No experience with this, just trying to the conversation.
Others may suggest the newest Grados and Audio Technicas as well as other excellent options. You've got a lot to choose from.
I know others will be willing to lend their opinion.
Good luck.
 
Mr Boochie said:
Get the Grace fixed? :idea: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Double ding! That would also be a ding ding ding. I guess that’s a triple ding. Have Jospeh Long take care of the with a retip. Less the $200 guessing $150. He’s on eBay as Cartridge_Retipping-5. Fair pricing, lots of a options, good turn around time and great customer service. No relation. Just a satisfied customer.
 
The problem you have is to find out what the Eff Mass of the arm is. This needs to match the cartidge you buy. However on searching the web I cannot find out what it is. If you can find what the compliance of the original cart was, this may give an indication of the arms Eff Mass.

Cheers
 
Sound Smith for new stylus for the Grace. Having heard the Grace and ATVM95SH in a single sitting (on different tables), the Grace is well worth the effort and money.
 
If lucky enough to have a Grace F9E I would have it retipped. Possible workaround is replacing the heavy HS12 headshell with a lighter headshell.
 
tabarddn51 said:
The problem you have is to find out what the Eff Mass of the arm is. This needs to match the cartidge you buy. However on searching the web I cannot find out what it is. If you can find what the compliance of the original cart was, this may give an indication of the arms Eff Mass.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I've read that the effective mass of the MMT is either 18 or 20 grams, so it is a medium to heavy arm. Before I go in the Grace F(E direction, I'd like to be sure that the compliance is compatible. The guy before me (in 1988!) had the Grace F9E on the table.
 
MRL_Audio said:
Double ding! That would also be a ding ding ding. I guess that’s a triple ding. Have Jospeh Long take care of the with a retip. Less the $200 guessing $150. He’s on eBay as Cartridge_Retipping-5. Fair pricing, lots of a options, good turn around time and great customer service. No relation. Just a satisfied customer.
Click to expand...

I hope this isn't a stupid question. Is retipping possible if the existing cantlever is broken in half and partly not there where the actual tip was?
 
mythless said:
Sound Smith for new stylus for the Grace. Having heard the Grace and ATVM95SH in a single sitting (on different tables), the Grace is well worth the effort and money.
Click to expand...
I've seen a few people recommend a Denon DL110 for this arm. Have you or anyone else heard a comparison of this Grace with the Denon?
 
MarmotDavid said:
I've seen a few people recommend a Denon DL110 for this arm. Have you or anyone else heard a comparison of this Grace with the Denon?
Click to expand...

Do they still make the DL-110? I remember the DL-160 but, I can't remember why I sold it, other than I had a bunch of Shure V15 that I preferred over the Denon.

Honestly, all are good cartridges.
 
Mr Boochie said:
You only need to get the Grace stylus replaced. Not re-tipped (like what is done on most MC cartridges). Check Soundsmith's site on the F9. [BTW... KEEP that cartridge! You will be forever sorry, if you don't].

https://www.sound-smith.com/parts/grace-f9-replacement-stylus
Click to expand...
That's good to know. When I acquired the Grace cartridge on the used turntable in 1988, I did not know how good it was, I'm guessing. I don't think it had its current reputation back then. I actively used it between 1988 and about 1992, as I recall but my preamp and amp back then were not up to the quality of the cartridge.
 
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