• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Deciding between 4 Cartridges for Dual 1019

Psyre

Psyre

New Member
Just ordered a reproduction headshell for my Dual 1019. Now I'm looking for a good cart. After searching the forums I have narrowed it down to 4 and am looking for a couple comments on the sound of each.

Shure M97xe
Stanton 500 (gold model)
AT-70
AT-95E

I mostly listen to Psychadelic/Indie Pop ranging from The Beach Boys to Animal Collective. I havn't read too much on the aural pros and cons of each though.

Thanks
 
Register to hide this ad
I, like many others find the Shure M97 a little dull. The AT95E is a good cartridge at a good price. Not sure why you have the AT70 in there as it is a conical. The AT71E is the elliptical version and is very similar to the AT95E. I'd choose either based on which one was cheaper. Personally, I'd spend slightly more and go for the AT120E/T.
 
I grew up with the Dual 1009, the little older sibling of the 1019 that lacked the cueing lever.

It came (in 1964) with a Shure M44-MG cartridge. It played fine with it. When I took it for my use, I decided to upgrade it to a better cart with elliptical stylus that tracked lighter.

I remember that I contemplated between the Shure M95ED and Stanton 681EEE and decided on the later.

It played back awfully with that cart. The low frequencies were hollow and it skipped like crazy because the tonearm mass wasn't a match for the cart's compliance. I even decided the 681EEE is a bad cart because of this experience. Switched back to the M44 and was happy again.

So, my recommendation would be to go for a cart that's appropriate for the tonearm. The Stanton 500 (or a Shure M44) would be better matched to the unit compared to the M97xe.
 
Psyre said:
Just ordered a reproduction headshell for my Dual 1019. Now I'm looking for a good cart. After searching the forums I have narrowed it down to 4 and am looking for a couple comments on the sound of each.

Shure M97xe
Stanton 500 (gold model)
AT-70
AT-95E

I mostly listen to Psychadelic/Indie Pop ranging from The Beach Boys to Animal Collective. I havn't read too much on the aural pros and cons of each though.

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Shure M97xE gets along with many tonearms (because of the damper brush) and has a smooth, delicate sound. It can be a good choice.

If you want a very punchy in-your-face sound the Stanton 500 is a good choice (IF it is with an original Stanton stylus).
 
1019

I am listening to a dual 1019 with an inexpensive, $32.00 AT CN5625AL .7mil uniradial cartridge. I think it is sounding great. It is playing through a Bose Spatial Control Receiver with first generation 901s. Oh yeah, Alan Parson's Turn of a Friendly Card. If that cartridge is not suppose to sound good I am happily ignorant. I am also considering upgrading cartridges. Why? Isn't that what we are supposed to do? Keep us posted.
 
That is one concern I have and why the M97xe was top choice, replacement/alternate styli seem to be easier to acquire.
 
I run a Pickering V-15 (Stanton 500 equivalent) on my 1019 and it provides a very dynamic, punchy sound. I tried an M97xE and a Grado GF3 but found both way too "polite" for my taste and system.
 
I guess I am in the minority... again. I have a Dual 721 direct drive I bought from Fix My Dual and it came with a Grado Black. I wasn't thrilled with the sound quality and swapped it out for a M97xE. Soundstage is so much better and open than the Grado.

Anytime there is a thread about "Help me pick [Enter Item]." Everyone has their own opinion. What's good for some may not be good for you. What matters is what sounds good to you. Your ears are your best asset when it comes to sound. :music:
 
Thanks, as a musician I know it's all relative to the individual set 0f ears. I was hoping maybe I could get some feedback as to the characteristic of each. For instance if someone thought the stanton 500 had tighter low end etc. Not so much which is the end all best out of the lot.
 
Shure M44G. Easy to find not expensive. This will give you good sound and lots of flexibility. The G stylus(the one on the cart) will work nicely for used records and 7"'s. You can also pick up a N44-7 stylus which has higher output is also very nice for more beat up lp's and 7's. You can also use a Shure N55E stylus which is a bit more refined than the G and 7's styli and it fits the M44G cart. A really great, classic Shure stylus. If you can't find, or afford an original stylus, there are aftermarket versions of different qualities and prices. Do a search to find more info. Lastly, if you decide at some point that you would like to utilize the 78 capability of the 1019 you can buy a N44-3 stylus(again, different aftermarket versions exist) and use the 44G cart to hold it. So with one cart you have several different stylus combinations that you can use.
 
I also prefer the M97xE on my Dual 721, but this model has the 2x Antiresonator that the 1019 doesn't have. Maybe that's what makes the difference?
All in all, the M97xE's brush makes it compatible with a lot of tonearms.

I also tested an AT, the Shure M75 and M91 and the Sonus Gold Blue…
 
Comparisons between the Dual 721 and the 1019 really aren't relevant. It's like comparing a VW Jetta to an old Beetle. Not the same thing at all.

The classic cartridge for old idler Duals are the Shure, either the M44 or the M91. The latter will be a little richer in detail, the former will be punchier. A compromise between the two would be to get an M91 and put a Pfanstiehl 4762-DE stylus on it (the blue/green ones made in Japan). HUGE sound, and not expensive. Great for rock. It's easy to find the sytli, a little harder to find the cartridges, but there are bunches of them out there in the used market.

Stanton 500 is a fine match as well, just not quite as good as the Shures.
 
Roy Skinner said:
I am listening to a dual 1019 with an inexpensive, $32.00 AT CN5625AL .7mil uniradial cartridge. I think it is sounding great. It is playing through a Bose Spatial Control Receiver with first generation 901s. Oh yeah, Alan Parson's Turn of a Friendly Card. If that cartridge is not suppose to sound good I am happily ignorant. I am also considering upgrading cartridges. Why? Isn't that what we are supposed to do? Keep us posted.
Click to expand...

Good to know... I ordered a U-Turn Orbit (just for fun) and that's the cart it's coming with. I was debating whether or not to leave it or change to something else.

Back to the OP's question, it really depends on how you plan to use the 1019.

If you're going to take advantage of its automatic start feature and/or stack records, you'll need something rugged, because the 1019's automatic arm-set is not exactly delicate. In this case, you would be best suited with a Stanton 500 or something in the Shure M44/M55 family. A nice bonus is 78 styli are widely available for both.

In terms of absolute sound quality, having experimented with a variety of different cartridges on the 1019 - Grados, Stantons, Shures, etc. - I found a Shure M91ED with EVG 'generic' elliptical to be the most satisfying overall, beating even an M91ED with JICO SAS on the Dual's arm (although I prefer the SAS on just about every other turntable!).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom