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Cartridge Question

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Dave3009

New Member
New member here looking for some advice. I am replacing my vintage Ariston Q Deck (speed control finally failed). I have had a Sumiko Blue Point Special in the arm of the Ariston for 24 years. (yes I don't change things very often). The table I am getting (U-turn Orbit) comes with various pre-installed cartridges from a very basic conical stylus ( $0) to an Ortofon 2M Blue ( $211). From all the reviews I have read the musicality of the orbit is in this range cartridge limited. So my options are: 1) Buy the table with the baseline cartridge and use my existing Blue Point (do cartridge suspensions degrade with time?), 2) Go with the 2M Blue, or 3) buy the table with the baseline cartridge and buy something else, possible a new Blue Point. The table will play through a NAD amp and Vandersteen 2C speakers. Any comments are appreciated.

Dave
 
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heyraz said:
Before you go down the rabbit hole...can your present turntable be fixed?
Click to expand...

Possibly, but the 12 volt input goes into a speed control board that selects 33-1/3 - 45 that is has un-marked ic's. The spindle bearing has some lateral play as well as the arm bearing. I have not been able to find any documentation other than my owners manual.

Previous comments on the Q deck in the past we're not flattering. Comments?
 
If the stylus is not worn(but after 24 years ??), I would keep the Blue Point Special. If it is worn, a retip or replace with a new Blue Point.
Is the Blue Point Special worth $100 more than the Blue Point #2 ? I have no idea. I had both decades ago and i actually preferred the less expensive one.
 
There is nothing in the Orbit specs about the effective mass of the tonearm but it may be quite light, warranting a high-compliance stylus (20cu or greater at 10Hz).

If so, the Sumiko would qualify if the quoted compliance of 12cu is measured at 100Hz (the norm in Japan) - this translates to around 20cu at 10Hz. The cartridge is relatively heavy at 8.3g - do we know that the Orbit arm can accommodate it?

Otherwise, I would choose the option with the Ortofon OM5E cartridge and quickly upgrade the stylus to the STY 20 (high-compliance nude elliptical) to yield an OM20. This is the equivalent in the old OM range of the 2M Blue but has a warmer balance while remaining nice and crisp - one of my favourite cartridges. You could even upgrade as far as the STY 40.
 
Crab33 said:
There is nothing in the Orbit specs about the effective mass of the tonearm but it may be quite light, warranting a high-compliance stylus (20cu or greater at 10Hz).

If so, the Sumiko would qualify if the quoted compliance of 12cu is measured at 100Hz (the norm in Japan) - this translates to around 20cu at 10Hz. The cartridge is relatively heavy at 8.3g - do we know that the Orbit arm can accommodate it?

Otherwise, I would choose the option with the Ortofon OM5E cartridge and quickly upgrade the stylus to the STY 20 (high-compliance nude elliptical) to yield an OM20. This is the equivalent in the old OM range of the 2M Blue but has a warmer balance while remaining nice and crisp - one of my favourite cartridges. You could even upgrade as far as the STY 40.
Click to expand...


I must be out of the loop. Differences between the om5 with the STY 20 stylus and the 2M Blue? (approx same cost)

I'm going to pull the sumiko tonight and take a look at the stylus. I have not notice any tracking or distortion issues but it is 24 years old.
 
Dave3009 said:
I must be out of the loop. Differences between the om5 with the STY 20 stylus and the 2M Blue? (approx same cost)
Click to expand...

Yes, they probably come out about the same cost-wise, but I prefer the sound of the OM20 in terms of balance, even though the 2M Blue is good.
 
Dave3009 said:
Possibly, but the 12 volt input goes into a speed control board that selects 33-1/3 - 45 that is has un-marked ic's. The spindle bearing has some lateral play as well as the arm bearing. I have not been able to find any documentation other than my owners manual.

Previous comments on the Q deck in the past we're not flattering. Comments?
Click to expand...


where are you located? maybe some one near by might be willing to look at it for you?

Nashou
 
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