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Good cartridge match for a Pioneer PL-518
- Thread starter Andy_H
- Start date
neevo
Super Member
Funny experience with the 2M Bronze on my PL-518X. Straight out of the box it sounded awesome, the highs were so buttery smooth and unlike what I was expecting, the bass seemed much stronger in an odd frequency.
The fix was to dial back the gain on my stereo subs and drop the crossover to 60hz (originally at 80hz). It’s been like that for a few weeks now but the sound has started to really go off the boil, mainly in the bottom end.
It looked suspension related as the cantilever wasn’t as angled and the cartridge body was riding lower (very much like my 2M Red used to do and by no means low. Just the Bronze seemed to ride very high before).
I played around with VTF to see if I could get it back as before but no luck. Tonight I played around with the subs a bit more and as a guess I tried them back at their original settings to see if I could replicate the sound I had with the Red.
The result is amazing! I’ve kept that buttery top end and the bass has not only returned to first Bronze levels but has rounded out much more too.
No ideas what’s going on, but I’m pleased to have that impressive sound back as I was starting to worry my vinyl setup was going backwards.
Goes to show that new suspension and suspension breakin can be a very different experience.
The fix was to dial back the gain on my stereo subs and drop the crossover to 60hz (originally at 80hz). It’s been like that for a few weeks now but the sound has started to really go off the boil, mainly in the bottom end.
It looked suspension related as the cantilever wasn’t as angled and the cartridge body was riding lower (very much like my 2M Red used to do and by no means low. Just the Bronze seemed to ride very high before).
I played around with VTF to see if I could get it back as before but no luck. Tonight I played around with the subs a bit more and as a guess I tried them back at their original settings to see if I could replicate the sound I had with the Red.
The result is amazing! I’ve kept that buttery top end and the bass has not only returned to first Bronze levels but has rounded out much more too.
No ideas what’s going on, but I’m pleased to have that impressive sound back as I was starting to worry my vinyl setup was going backwards.
Goes to show that new suspension and suspension breakin can be a very different experience.
JohnnyNapalm
Active Member
Same experience as you when I installed my 2M Bronze. Even checked the weight ant it was right on 1.5g. It does sound sweet tho. 
neevo
Super Member
I’m disappearing down the rabbit hole with my stereo but my latest addition is relevant to this thread:
Denon DL-110
With an Ortofon 2M Bronze in the stable I was expecting good things from this cartridge but wasn’t expecting to be blown away as much as I have been... and that’s only 6 records in!
Definitely not as exciting as the Ortofon (it has a more relaxed sound for sure but I think for the most part it will be a little easier to live with everyday) but it’s very smooth and pleasing.
The one thing that’s really impressed me the most is the soundstage!!!! The records have a 3D soundstage with the sound going way beyond the speakers placement and instruments are up, down, back... all over the place in a very engaging way.
Can’t believe this is all in a package that’s half the cost of the Bronze.
Wondering if this is consistent with other opinions or if I have some setup things I need to address with the Ortofon.
Denon DL-110
With an Ortofon 2M Bronze in the stable I was expecting good things from this cartridge but wasn’t expecting to be blown away as much as I have been... and that’s only 6 records in!
Definitely not as exciting as the Ortofon (it has a more relaxed sound for sure but I think for the most part it will be a little easier to live with everyday) but it’s very smooth and pleasing.
The one thing that’s really impressed me the most is the soundstage!!!! The records have a 3D soundstage with the sound going way beyond the speakers placement and instruments are up, down, back... all over the place in a very engaging way.
Can’t believe this is all in a package that’s half the cost of the Bronze.
Wondering if this is consistent with other opinions or if I have some setup things I need to address with the Ortofon.
Never heard a Shure V15 III with VN35E I didn't like.
rudolfo
Super Member
Another thread resurrection....
When it comes to turntable, I'm totally a beginner or worst. I messed up so many LP back in the 1979 thru so I concentrated on reels and cassettes. Anyways, still cant live without one.. I need it for my reel recordings.
After a few work on my old Pioneer PL-518 that I rescued 2 years ago I was able to get it running tonight. I bought and replaced the broken tone arm rest. Seems very easy to break so I filled the bottom of the rest with clear epoxy, sculpted and shape it after 3 days of drying time. Serviced the motor, lubes the pots. I also changed the feet and just made my own for now. I also want to change all the electrolytic caps if I can put together the entire list. This turntable runs very nice and stable. I notice it hardly picks up floor noise and most of all it sounds phenomenal. This is perfect timing before X'mas and I'm able to open a few new vinyl I got and never recorded yet. BTW. I'm using and old Ortofon FF-15XR cartridge with a brand new diamond stylus. Not too knowledgably with setting these, I try to make the shell mounting surface parallel to the table as close to 0 as I can and dial the counterweight to 1.6 oz same as the anti-skate.
When it comes to turntable, I'm totally a beginner or worst. I messed up so many LP back in the 1979 thru so I concentrated on reels and cassettes. Anyways, still cant live without one.. I need it for my reel recordings.
After a few work on my old Pioneer PL-518 that I rescued 2 years ago I was able to get it running tonight. I bought and replaced the broken tone arm rest. Seems very easy to break so I filled the bottom of the rest with clear epoxy, sculpted and shape it after 3 days of drying time. Serviced the motor, lubes the pots. I also changed the feet and just made my own for now. I also want to change all the electrolytic caps if I can put together the entire list. This turntable runs very nice and stable. I notice it hardly picks up floor noise and most of all it sounds phenomenal. This is perfect timing before X'mas and I'm able to open a few new vinyl I got and never recorded yet. BTW. I'm using and old Ortofon FF-15XR cartridge with a brand new diamond stylus. Not too knowledgably with setting these, I try to make the shell mounting surface parallel to the table as close to 0 as I can and dial the counterweight to 1.6 oz same as the anti-skate.