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Finally dove into the MC pool... WOW

StepheK

StepheK

AK Subscriber
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I'm using a homebrewed EAR834 tube pre, that works with MM only, driving a 300B amp and after trying a few MM carts was super happy with the AT VM540ML.

Well I finally dove in, got an MC cart and a SUT box from Ned Clayton using those cinemag transformers. Hooked this up to an AT 0C9MXL, and after finding the right combination of turns ratio switches for this cart, I am stunned. I'm hearing stuff I didn't even know was there, I can hear individual voices in the chorus sections. The delicacy of the high end is.. again shocking is the only word I can come up with. Still has great bass and smooth mids without being fatiguing, and I'm sure after some hours of breaking it, it's just gonna get better.

So yeah, it was worth the $1000 price of admission. BTW this is on a Technics SL-B2 belt drive table. Don't let people tell you a table in this class can't benefit from a good cart. I am gonna keep the VM540ML around for less than pristine vinyl, but I'm sold on MC being the way to go.
 
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StepheK said:
.... BTW this is on a Technics BL-2 belt drive table. Don't let people tell you a table in this class can't benefit from a good cart....
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I haven't made the jump to LOMC yet (have HOMC and MM/MP), but have the capability now. 100% agree with you that some of the less prestigious TTs are worthy of a good cart. My TT is an AT-LP120XUSB (modified). It's been perfectly able to pass on every subtle little change I've made to the system.
 
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StepheK said:
I'm using a homebrewed EAR834 tube pre, that works with MM only, driving a 300B amp and after trying a few MM carts was super happy with the AT VM540ML.

Well I finally dove in, got an MC cart and a SUT box from Ned Clayton using those cinemag transformers. Hooked this up to an AT 0C9MXL, and after finding the right combination of turns ratio switches for this cart, I am stunned. I'm hearing stuff I didn't even know was there, I can hear individual voices in the chorus sections. The delicacy of the high end is.. again shocking is the only word I can come up with. Still has great bass and smooth mids without being fatiguing, and I'm sure after some hours of breaking it, it's just gonna get better.
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I think I can make some observations here:

IMO the most significant and important difference to sound quality between the AT-VM540ML and the AT-OC9XML is the boron cantilever, this is what is enabling better detail.

Now, you mention "fatigue", the AT-540ML needs its loading to be tailored for the cartridge otherwise the high frequencies will be exaggerated and thus fatiguing, and if your cable capacitance is not minimal, very fatiguing! You mention "finding the right combination of turns ratio switches for this cart", and this effort should also be taken with the AT-540ML to find the correct loading, in this case for an MM cart.

So... bottom line, i'd recommend you to save the AT-540mL for later, perhaps in the future you can put it on another table, tailor its loading, and see it is also a very nice non-fatiguing performer.
 
GearHead454 said:
DL-103,. DL-301 mk 2. My go to carts unless I'm hobnobbing with the elite cart crowd.
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I've heard so many great things, I'm looking at trying a Denon as well. Maybe a basic DL-103 to use on older vinyl this AT microline needle cart doesn't like? Will this work OK with a SL-B2 technics tonearm?
 
flavio81 said:
So... bottom line, i'd recommend you to save the AT-540mL for later, perhaps in the future you can put it on another table, tailor its loading, and see it is also a very nice non-fatiguing performer.
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I think you misunderstood my post, I didn't mean to imply the AT-540ML was fatiguing to listen to at all. More that the new MC cart has cleaner high end detail without being fatiguing. Sometimes more high end detail comes out as sounding overbearing.

Yes, that AT-540ML sounds VERY impressive, is very enjoyable and it's staying in the rotation for "normal" listening on less pristine vinyl.
 
Morgan D said:
I don't think so. It is for heavy arms. The Denon 301mk2 is the Denon for your arm I think.
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Would a heavier head shell "fix" that issue, because I have one of those not being used right now. If not I will take a look at the MKII. Do you know what kind of stylus these various denon carts use?
 
StepheK said:
I'm using a homebrewed EAR834 tube pre, that works with MM only, driving a 300B amp and after trying a few MM carts was super happy with the AT VM540ML.

Well I finally dove in, got an MC cart and a SUT box from Ned Clayton using those cinemag transformers. Hooked this up to an AT 0C9MXL, and after finding the right combination of turns ratio switches for this cart, I am stunned. I'm hearing stuff I didn't even know was there, I can hear individual voices in the chorus sections. The delicacy of the high end is.. again shocking is the only word I can come up with. Still has great bass and smooth mids without being fatiguing, and I'm sure after some hours of breaking it, it's just gonna get better.

So yeah, it was worth the $1000 price of admission. BTW this is on a Technics SL-B2 belt drive table. Don't let people tell you a table in this class can't benefit from a good cart. I am gonna keep the VM540ML around for less than pristine vinyl, but I'm sold on MC being the way to go.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the low output world! :thumbsup:
 
The stock 103 uses a conical stylus but folks love it. I bought a VAS elip-retip and it came with a weight for TT's like yours and my SL 1210mk2. I don't know the stylus profiles of the other Denon carts.
 
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Stephe I just remembered my TT has an extra counter weight that screws on that I don't think your TT has, so the Denon 103 won't work for you. The MC cart you have now is gonna be better anyway would be my guess.
 
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StepheK said:
I've heard so many great things, I'm looking at trying a Denon as well. Maybe a basic DL-103 to use on older vinyl this AT microline needle cart doesn't like? Will this work OK with a SL-B2 technics tonearm?
Click to expand...
103R with boron cantilever and nude contact line stylus.
Off "Pretzel Logic." MCA Records. 37042. Gloversville repressing. 1980.
Run-out: AB 808A W1 ⧈-G-⧈ .
 
Some reading on cartridge/tonearm comparability is useful. Lots of resources on the web. I had to do some reading and a little math to figure out the right match for my system.
 
GearHead454 said:
Some reading on cartridge/tonearm comparability is useful. Lots of resources on the web. I had to do some reading and a little math to figure out the right match for my system.
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Yes. And some trial and error. Patience is a virtue for the ultimate good vibe. ;)
 
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