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Dual 1257 cartridge replacement

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DrSatan

New Member
Hello,

I restored a Dual CS 1257, but initially simply bought an OEM ULM-152E replacement stylus ($13) for my ULM-50E cartridge because I was just trying to make sure it worked before spending more cash. Well, it worked (pleasantly well), & my turntable hobby has exploded in the interim. That being said, I am interested in upgrading my cartridge, but am really struggling to find good information on this (I spent over 3 hours searching various forums last night to no avail). I think the cartridge & speakers are the weak links in my system (see below), so I was planning on upgrading 1 or both (pending the cost). I am also more than likely going to upgrade tables in the long run (years from now), so I was thinking to make a minor upgrade to the cart (to have a "good" low grade cart) & improve my speaker system more so.

I've decided to forgo the 1/2" adapter route ($30 +/- $30 for additional counterbalance weight). I was interested in the OMP-10, but I can't figure out how much better this would be than my ULM-50E (if at all, taking into consideration that I have a bootleg stylus). The other cartridge I looked into was the Grado Black3 Prestige cartridge; I'm nervous because it is said to work poorly with non-dampened, ultra low mass arms (like mine) to cause the "Grado hum." I also don't want to spend $90 to $125ish & realize it has made no difference or find that the tracking is now worse (it's worked splendidly on my turntable).

My set up is below:
> Turntable: Dual CS 1257
> Cartridge: ULM-50E cartridge with OEM ULM-152E stylus replacement
> Pre-amp: VP29 Phono
> Amplifier: Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver

> Speakers: The Bose Acoustimass-10 Home Theater Speaker System
I only have 3 of the speakers (1x double stacked, 2x single) & the subwoofer. They are from my parents old home theater system as well. The subwoofer has the inner lining torn that is visible from the exterior. The double stacked speaker's bottom lining is removed & there is a clear dent on the speaker amplifier itself. I could not even properly connect the single stacks to the subwoofer without jamming them in (so the single stacks are likely just even older home theater speakers that got lumped in).

> RCA connections: FosPower RCA M/M Stereo Audio Cable
One of the connectors has already started failing (slips out of the amplifier, but it'll stay in with some finagling). Not sure how big of an effect this will have on sound quality, though does seem like an obvious upgrade if it actually makes a difference.
 
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The Ortofon OM range is certainly a good way to go, as these cartridges are high-compliance and would suit the low-mass arm of the Dual.

I cannot say whether the OMP10 would provide a sonic improvement over your current cartridge/stylus, as the Stylus 10 is a bonded elliptical like your current one. Having said that, a genuine Ortofon stylus is likely to be better than your current generic stylus. The OMP cartridge would still be a good investment in allowing you to upgrade the stylus at a later date to the Stylus 20, which is a nude elliptical and a great stylus.

I don't believe that the nature of the tonearm determines whether a Grado will hum on your turntable - this is more to do with the location and nature of the motor. Are you sure you don't mean the 'Grado dance', which is a tracking issue. I understand that the Grado Prestige cartridges work well on light arms. However, the 'Grado Hum' spreadsheet on the web does indicate that Grado hum will be experienced on the 1257.

I think you are going along the right lines with the OMP10, but I would aim for an OMP20 eventually.
 
Of course now that I said that, I can't actually find any OMP-10 cartridges (only styluses). I also could not find a M95ed p-mounted cartridge.

Any other recommendation for p-mount cartridges? Are the LP Gear T4P cartridges (Series V, Series VL) fair knock offs? If not, I can always buy the 1/2" adapter but then my list of available cartridges goes up dramatically; I'd have no idea where to start; or I just get the OM-10 ($100 + $30 for adapter makes it same price as the LP Series VL) or M95ed standard mounts that are available.
 
DrSatan said:
Of course now that I said that, I can't actually find any OMP-10 cartridges (only styluses). I also could not find a M95ed p-mounted cartridge.

Any other recommendation for p-mount cartridges? Are the LP Gear T4P cartridges (Series V, Series VL) fair knock offs? If not, I can always buy the 1/2" adapter but then my list of available cartridges goes up dramatically; I'd have no idea where to start; or I just get the OM-10 ($100 + $30 for adapter makes it same price as the LP Series VL) or M95ed standard mounts that are available.
Click to expand...

Is there a reason you are looking for a P-Mount cartridge? That Dual is not a P-mount.
 
kermit z said:
Is there a reason you are looking for a P-Mount cartridge? That Dual is not a P-mount.
Click to expand...
Wait, wait, wait...But it requires a 1/2" adapter to use standard cartridges. I assumed that meant it was a p-mount. It also has 1 screw at the top of the headshell. Is it its own special mount? If so, what options do I have other than buying the 1/2" adapter.
 
I'm also not clear why a p-mount would work on this turntable (without an adaptor). However, there are currently a number of used Ortofon TM p-mount cartridges on eBay in the States, but you would have to buy the stylus separately. In my collection, I have a TM fitted with a Stylus 10 and it's a wonderful combination.

The Shure M95ED is a super cartridge but isn't available in p-mount form. If you decide to go for the half-inch mount adaptor, you still need to limit yourself to high-compliance cartridges, in which case an Ortofon OM or a vintage Shure M95ED or M91ED would still be among the best candidates.
 
I know nothing about the Dual CS 1257 and it's particular tonearm, but the idler-drive 1200-series duals have a cartridge holder that fits into the end to the tonearm and then is locked in place by turning the finger-lift lever. Those holders are made to accept half-inch cartridges. If the original poster has a similar cartridge holder, he'll have to remove the holder in order to remove his current cartridge, after which another 1/2-mount cartridge could be put on the holder and the holder reattached to the arm. If the holder has a p-mount adapter on it, he could just remove a current p-mount cartridge and replace it with another one. Someone who knows that particular Dual TT needs to jump in here.
 
Many Dual 1000-series turntables were sold with Shure cartridges on them.

Many Dual 1200-series turntables were sold with Pickering (Stanton) cartridges on them.

Speaking from experience, I can say my Dual 1229 loves Pickering, Stanton, and Shure cartridges, as well as some others. My one Grado cartridge, an F+3 does not hum on it.
 
DrSatan said:
Wait, wait, wait...But it requires a 1/2" adapter to use standard cartridges. I assumed that meant it was a p-mount. It also has 1 screw at the top of the headshell. Is it its own special mount? If so, what options do I have other than buying the 1/2" adapter.
Click to expand...

Got it. Could you post up a picture of the headshell and the adapter your talking about? It might help us help you :)
 
and be very careful if you remove the cartridge. The tabs on it break very easily and often if the cue handle is forced. The little screw can also go missing but if the handle is in the forward position with the cartridge tabs unbroken you are fine. The screw just locks the handle.
 
That eBay adapter is what you need for a 1/2" cart as was pointed out. Not a bad price to give you a good number cart choices.
 
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