Cartridge/Stylus Upgrade

[ryo_g]

Hi all,

I've just begun to upgrade my system, and am looking at upgrading my vinyl listening situation and have been shopping around for new carts/styli.

I currently have an Akai AP-001C with an old AT11 cart and am looking at a few options. A friend of mine has been recommending I try out Hana's high output MC EH cart, and another friend recommend the Nagaoka MP-150, though I'm not sure if I'm up for spending $450 plus (yet)

I've also been thinking about just getting the ATS12S stylus and putting it on my AT11 cart, but at the price (around $200) I'm wondering if I'm better off just springing for a whole new cart? I was also reading that the ATS12S on the AT11 body can cause some roll off in the top range frequencies.

My other thought is just grabbing an ATVM95E which I've heard is a great conical for the price, or the ATVM95ML.

If anyone has any experience with with any of these carts and could lend any advice, and has any preference when it comes to elliptical vs shibata vs conical etc any advice would be greatly appreciated! The ocean is deep and vast....

 

[justjed2]

If I were getting a cart with a budget in mind, I'd get the ATVM95EN, about $120USD. The nude elliptical is lighter than the cheaper bonded elliptical, and therefore faster, it will give a smoother sound. It's also not terribly fussy about set-up, you'll spend more time listening and less time tweaking stuff. If $200 is your max budget, the Ortofon 2M Blue, another nude elliptical, is another good choice. Again, easy to align, and easy enough to listen to. Both of these cartridges are notably modern sounding, however, so if warmth is your ultimate goal, you will likely either have to achieve that with your electronics, or look elsewhere for satisfaction.

EDIT: I've not used a ML stylus, my understanding is that they are rather particular about proper set-up. If this is not a problem for you, then the ML should be noticeably better than an elliptical of any sort.

 

[Crab33]

The AT-VM95E is excellent for the price but it's a bonded elliptical, not a conical (which is the VM95C). You could always try the VM95E (or VM95C) and if it suits you, upgrade the stylus later to the EN, ML or SH. The ML is especially good at tracking and minimizing sibilance. These cartridge should be well-suited to your arm.

I can't comment on the Hana and Nagaoka but the Ortofon 2M Blue mentioned above should also be a good option and the AT-VM540ML seems to be well-liked on these pages. A lot depends on the kind of sound you're after - the 2M Blue and VM540ML may not be for you if your aim is to increase warmth (the VM95 range may be better for this).

The advantage of going for a new cartridge over a stylus upgrade for your AT11 is that you can probably depend on OEM replacement styli being available and not be reliant on the future availability of the AST12S stylus.

 

[vinyldavid]

I’d agree with the recommendation to go to the VM540ML, both upgrade and basic stylii should be available for many decades to come.

the 95 series is limited to how far up you can go in the food chain, but offers decent value for money.

 

[soundmig]

Hi all,

I've just begun to upgrade my system, and am looking at upgrading my vinyl listening situation and have been shopping around for new carts/styli.

I currently have an Akai AP-001C with an old AT11 cart and am looking at a few options. A friend of mine has been recommending I try out Hana's high output MC EH cart, and another friend recommend the Nagaoka MP-150, though I'm not sure if I'm up for spending $450 plus (yet)

I've also been thinking about just getting the ATS12S stylus and putting it on my AT11 cart, but at the price (around $200) I'm wondering if I'm better off just springing for a whole new cart? I was also reading that the ATS12S on the AT11 body can cause some roll off in the top range frequencies.

My other thought is just grabbing an ATVM95E which I've heard is a great conical for the price, or the ATVM95ML.

If anyone has any experience with with any of these carts and could lend any advice, and has any preference when it comes to elliptical vs shibata vs conical etc any advice would be greatly appreciated! The ocean is deep and vast....

I looked up the owners manual and I don't see any VTA adjustment available, so I'd stay away from the more exotic stylus shapes LC, SLC, ML, SH, etc. as VTA is critical with all of those. I think that the VM95EN might be a real good place to start. The VM95EN is not a lot of money and it's quality stylus a good sounding platform . The 540ML is better, but without VTA adjustment I'm thinking you could end up disappointed? The SH and ML stylus' require very exacting VTA and arm height adjustments of 1/32 of an inch can make an audible difference with both the ML and SH. If I've missed the fact that your arm allows for VTA then yes go for the 540ML - if you can swing the extra $$$.

 

[Thunderbox]

A good alternative is the Sumiko Pearl. At around $100 us. If you want conical then go for the Sumiko Black Pearl a little less money

 

[ryo_g]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Ah yes, I think I was referring to the VM95C! And unfortunately, yeah it doesn't look like my turntable has any way to adjust VTA

I think I may go for the VM95EN to start out! guess I'll just have to upgrade my turntable to try another cartridge...

I don't necessarily want just warmth, I think I'd like something that can enhance detail and with good channel separation, but I guess maybe that might be beyond my TT at the moment if I need to be able to adjust VTA...

 

[dualhead]

A good alternative is the Sumiko Pearl. At around $100 us. If you want conical then go for the Sumiko Black Pearl a little less money

It is an excellent cartridge! Warmer than AT, but still detailed. Highly recommended. Can't say a bad thing sbout ATs though. Particularly with the available upgrades!