Cartridge recommendation for Pioneer PL-51 and PL-50 TTs?

[BmWr75]

Cartridge recommendation for Pioneer PL-41 and PL-50 TTs?

Hello AKers,

I have two old Pioneer TTs that both need new cartridges. Am considering the Shure M97XE for both from MusicDirect. Any other cartridge recommendations or comments on the Shure cartridge?

These will not be my primary TT, but do want both to be in playing order.

Thanks, BmWr75

 

[jbrainey]

The Shure M97XE is a good choice with excellent sound and tracking. Just don't expect to be crazy about it right out of the box. You must set up your T/T and arm correctly and let the cart burn in.
It's not quite as good as a V15 cart, but well worth the money. I have one mounted in a headshell that has been burning in for about 6 mos. and it sounds great.
I purchased 4 of the M97's from J&R for less than $50 ea. Shop around.
I am using a Pioneer PL-550 direct drive/fully manual T/T.

 

[TJLitt]

man, this question is tough to answer without a knowledge of YOUR individual preferences, in music and sound qualities. I have a PL-41 with a Grado Red that I like very much. Then again, I listen to a mix of Jazz and Rock, with very little full orchestra classical. Cartridge preference seems to come down to a very personal matter, and it will help immensely if you have the chance to audition a variety of cartridges before you make the selection.

Follow up thought on the PL-41: Do you have the original headshell?? If so, the design is such that your cartridge options might be a bit limited. I don't know what your primary turntable is, but you might find this one fun to have around. I like mine very much.

 

[BmWr75]

Follow up thought on the PL-41: Do you have the original headshell??

I'm not sure, here is a picture. Is it original?

 

[Trower]

Cartridge recomendations are very opinion based so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.

The shure 97xe is one of my least liked carts. Some say it is a very neutral cart like its canned bigger brothers the V-15 series carts, which I have also heard. But I did not find it to be neutral, just veiled and boring, and at times harsh, and not just harsh in the topend but across the board. I just could not get into this cart at all, and if you look around there are many who share my thoughts.

Now for carts I have liked!

Grado's!!! They are most assuredly my top choice of cartridges. They have their quirks, but when setup properly they can really sing! They have just this amazing midrange that is to die for, and try as I might I find myself always wanting to go back to them. If you listen to any Acoustic or Jazz a Grado is pretty much a must have!

Audio Technica AT95E, this is another great budget cartridge that would match well with the arm on your Pioneer. I would consider this and its Lpgear.com versions my favorite of the Audio Technica line. They are a very good all around cart that has a great topend along with a good midrange and bottomend to boot! It is a very controled cart and is not harsh or over bright like I find the AT 440mla. Another great thing about this cart is if you get the 95E you can upgrade the stylus and get a hyper elliptical or shibatta stylus from Lpgear.com (HE and SA Variants).

Sumiko Pearl, This cart is a bit more than a shure 97xe, but is well worth it! It has a great midrange that reminds me of a Grado (but not as good), and has a wonderful topend once it breaks in. The midbass and lowbass is also very smooth and controlled, not bloated. Its strongest point I have found is electric guitars, they sound so realistic with this cart. The distortion is reproduced very very well, and harmonics are just terrific! The Dark Side of the Moon sounds amazing with this cart, as do other Floyd records.


Hope my thoughts on some of these carts have helped you, Nick

 

[hakaplan]

For a high mass arm and headshell as on these tables, the AT95E, as trower suggested, is an ideal way to go, especially with the potential stylus upgrade path. And yes, that is the original headshell.