Cartridge choice help. Garrard 301 with dynamic balanced rs212.

[Sammyboy1979]

Ive bought a garrard 301 and a ortofon RS212 that is the older dynamically balanced one. The headshell is a spu type from sme but identical to the ortofon headshell.
I want to fit a MM cartridge in it.
Maybe not ideal but I want to keep the look and the price down. Don’t want an expensive stylus that I will stress over.
That being said I don’t want a cheap stylus either.
From my research a Nagaoka mp 200 or a denon dl 110 high output would work I think.
Any suggestions or anyone with experience with doing this?
Thanks

 

[KentTeffeteller]

The Nagaoka MP are likely too high compliance for this arm. The Denon DL-110 also would be a bit too high compliance. The DL-102 and DL-103 would be ideal on your arm. Also a good option for Koetsus.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

Does both the DL-102 and DL-103 work with a mm riaa?

 

[mrwood200]

Maybe not ideal but I want to keep the look and the price down. Don’t want an expensive stylus that I will stress over.
That being said I don’t want a cheap stylus either.
From my research a Nagaoka mp 200 or a denon dl 110 high output would work I think.

Let's see some photos of turntable & tonearm!
Have you had this turntable working yet?
Any cartridges currently available?

I can understand your 'look & price down' project.
I might want to go slow & do a shake-down cruise prior to any significant efforts. There is not a lot of adjustment with this headshell; alignment may prove a challenge.
This setup seems made for SPU, or maybe DL-103. Maybe a stop-gap measure would be a good initial option.
I am leaning towards VM95C. Inexpensive, but not cheap. Should work OK with arm mass, and allows immediate upgrade options versus stylus.
For me, no to Nagaoka (big fan, but actual compliance may be too high) & no to DL-110 (not a HOMC fan). YMMV.

Does both the DL-102 and DL-103 work with a mm riaa?

The mono HOMC 102 will; the LOMC 103 will not.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

Let's see some photos of turntable & tonearm!
Have you had this turntable working yet?
Any cartridges currently available?

I can understand your 'look & price down' project.
I might want to go slow & do a shake-down cruise prior to any significant efforts. There is not a lot of adjustment with this headshell; alignment may prove a challenge.
This setup seems made for SPU, or maybe DL-103. Maybe a stop-gap measure would be a good initial option.
I am leaning towards VM95C. Inexpensive, but not cheap. Should work OK with arm mass, and allows immediate upgrade options versus stylus.
For me, no to Nagaoka (big fan, but actual compliance may be too high) & no to DL-110 (not a HOMC fan). YMMV.

The mono HOMC 102 will; the LOMC 103 will not.

Thanks for the tips.
I’m collecting parts as i find them for acceptable prices.
The turntable I’ve bought but has not arrived yet.
Picture of arm below.
I see what you mean so both the dl102 and dl103 are not options.
Ive looked into the VM95C and it seems quite a budget cartridge unless im looking at the wrong one?

 

[mrwood200]

I see what you mean so both the dl102 and dl103 are not options.

We can table the 103 for now, but this will remain a strong option for your setup.
I understand you (currently) do not have a MC phono preamp.
This should not be barrier for your future plans. MC phono preamps can be found at a modest price.

Ive looked into the VM95C and it seems quite a budget cartridge unless im looking at the wrong one?

No - US$60 delivered.
Good sound, forgiving cartridge, and matching compliance for heavy arm. E or EN will work well too. All the same body, just different styli.
This may be a good starter option for you - new TT, heavy arm, trying new setup, etc.
Plus we don't know if you can align the cartridge properly with this SPU headshell project. I would ease into this.
Eventually, with an excellent idler & vintage ortofon arm, I am sure you will get to pointy end of hifi. A VM95 setup will probably still be of some use.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

All very true.
I have a lenco l75 I rebuilt with a concrete plinth and a as212 ortofon arm with a Nagaoka MP150, Rogers ls35a speakers and rebuilt quad 33/303. Im really happy with the sound and especially for the type of music I play. But I’ve been told in the hobby that two turntables are allowed so I’ve been selling stuff to justify it.
Would be nice to end up with something that gives a slightly different sound but I’m not sure in what way. So maybe mc is smart choice. But I’ve read a low budget mc has worse sound than a same priced mm so I’ve been reluctant to throw money at something I know nothing about.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

Pics of my brutalist lenco.

 

[mrwood200]

I have a lenco l75 I rebuilt with a concrete plinth and a as212 ortofon arm with a Nagaoka MP150, Rogers ls35a speakers and rebuilt quad 33/303.

Hello Beautiful! These are some pointy hifi bits!

But I’ve been told in the hobby that two turntables are allowed ...

Encouraged. and no need to justify or sell off anything.

Would be nice to end up with something that gives a slightly different sound but I’m not sure in what way.

Well, you are doing pretty well so far! I bet you do well with your future system design.
For me, with 2x idlers w/2x ortofon arms, we missed some opportunities for diversification. I would have preferred some high-end (Technics) DD table, quiet/lighter arm + MC. You got a plinth for the Garrard? Any (future?) opportunities to add a 2nd arm? Are both of these going into Quad? via switch box??

Here are some future system thoughts:
- I am thinking concrete Lenco is quiet, and has lighter arm
- MP-150 will work on Garrard (EDIT - no...same as MP-200)
- Upgrade Lenco to detailed-oriented LOMC (e.g., ML on boron); add SUT to Quad.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Does both the DL-102 and DL-103 work with a mm riaa?

DL-102 is Mono, works fine into an MM phono stage. The DL-103 is Low Output MC, needs a Step Up Transformer, or SUT.

 

[sound hound]

Two for ya. GE VR1000 and Elac STS322.

I want to fit a MM cartridge in it.
Maybe not ideal but I want to keep the look and the price down. Don’t want an expensive stylus that I will stress over.

You might look at the above two possibilities. If you want a MM cartridge that is not high compliance, you are best off looking for one of the earlier ones before low mass tonearms started to sell. Other ones to look at might be the Pickering/Stanton 371 and 380.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

For me, with 2x idlers w/2x ortofon arms, we missed some opportunities for diversification.

Yes your right.
I started the vintage hifi journey a couple of years ago. I bought a linn lp12, b&o 4002 and some others that I forget the models of. But the bouncy suspension style players I just didn’t enjoy using, I couldn’t go in the cupboard they sat on without skipping. We live in a old wooden house so just walking on the floor made it skip. I fell in love with the lenco and with the garrard I think it will be the same. Plus I will enjoy making another concrete plinth. The arm was a great price and I love the look of it.
But I think if I get a different cartridge I will be happy.

 

[Sammyboy1979]

I will use riaa to the tape input on the quad.
I will look into Pickering/Stanton 371 and 380, and the GE VR1000 and Elac STS322.