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Help me choose a cartridge!!

kapohoguy

kapohoguy

Active Member
With my Pioneer PL-560 repaired, I now have four turntables. Since I only need two, the others will be listed on Craig's List. They each have a decent cartridge so I'm having a bit of difficulty deciding what to keep and what to let go. Here's what i have now:

Pioneer PL-560 with Empire MMC20EN cartridge. The stylus looks to have had a bit of use.
Hitachi HT-460 with Shure V15 type II with an almost new and quality replacement stylus
Thorens TD146 with Shure V15 type Vb cartridge and original Shure stylus that still looks to be excellent
Yamaha YP-D4 with Bang & Olefson MMC20EN cartridge and stylus that looks almost new

I'm inclined to put the Shure V15 type Vb cart on the Pioneer TT as my main unit instead of the Hitachi.
I'm thinking about moving the Hitachi to my office to replace the Thorens. I like the Thorens, but I'm tired of how easily it is affected by even slight vibrations. The Yamaha is a nice TT, but not really what I want in the office, and I bought it to flip anyway.

So my question is: Which cart to keep for the office TT, probably the Hitachi?

I'm more familiar with Shure and like them. However both the Empire and B&O carts seem worthy. Any and all ideas and opinons would be welcome.

Steve
 
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IMHO I would recommend the Pioneer PL-560 which will give you a full automatic turntable, and I would use the Shure V15 Type II. This is one of the best cartridges, but today they are priced between $200 and $300. The stylus upgrade are not expensive. This is the cartridge that I wish to own but is out of my budget. I'm not sure whether the V15 Type VB is similar or better than the Type II.

I hope this will help in your decision.
 
To me, I'd go with the Shure V15 Type Vb, provided you can still get replacement styli the Empire cart would be a keeper too.
 
mjw21a said:
To me, I'd go with the Shure V15 Type Vb, provided you can still get replacement styli the Empire cart would be a keeper too.
Click to expand...

I know you can get a stylus for the Type II, and you can also get a Jico as well. I have never heard of a VB, which is why I recommended the Type II.
 
No experience with any of them, but my "guess" would be to punt the Pioneer as you will get good money for it and it will probably only give you problems down the line....Keep the Hitachi as your main workhorse being direct drive and likely better build quality than the pioneer...and set up the Thorens with your best cart for special plays, your best most expensive vinyl...I am no cartridge connoisseur either, but I would probably stick a Stanton 681 on the direct drive...and ask the Thorens experts whats best for your reference player.
Edit, i forgot about the yamaha...if you sell that it will most likely pay for all the carts etc you need...not sure about the States, but here yamaha decks are hard to come by, and people will pay top dollar to match up with their systems..looks like a nice deck...though the only yamaha deck i have passed on felt cheap...was happy to cash it in.
 
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Hitachi units were mostly made by CEC, by no means a bad thing. I had a Hitachi HT354 a few years ago. It was a good, reliable starter deck
 
mjw21a said:
Hitachi units were mostly made by CEC, by no means a bad thing. I had a Hitachi HT354 a few years ago. It was a good, reliable starter deck
Click to expand...
I am currently using a (Harksound) by CEC direct drive as my main player...DD-8200....heavy bullet proof turntable, I love it! as well as Hitachi gear...though as far as tt's go i don't know,,,the Hitachi is an L-oD though...enough said.
 
Bubbalouie said:
IMHO I would recommend the Pioneer PL-560 which will give you a full automatic turntable, and I would use the Shure V15 Type II. This is one of the best cartridges, but today they are priced between $200 and $300. The stylus upgrade are not expensive. This is the cartridge that I wish to own but is out of my budget. I'm not sure whether the V15 Type VB is similar or better than the Type II.

I hope this will help in your decision.
Click to expand...

I've mounted the Shure V15 type Vb on the PL-560 for now as my main unit. I was fortunate to get both my Shure carts with TTs purchased on CL. In both cases the carts were worth more than I paid for the whole set up. Keep looking Bubbalouie, you never know when a deal will drop in your lap.
 
grottyash said:
Put the Thorens on a wall shelf and live happily ever after. It's the best of your turntables, plus is increasing in value.
Click to expand...

I've been using the Thorens as my office turntable and the Hitachi as my main unit. Now that the Pioneer is in the mix, the Hitachi is being demoted. The question is, do I keep the Hitachi or Thorens for the office? I'm torn. Love the Thorens except for its sensitivity to vibrations. It is probalby the best built TT I own, but the Hitachi has earned my respect as well. Also, the Thorens would probably be easier to sell for a good price and I could use the cash right now.
 
RuffzGuts said:
No experience with any of them, but my "guess" would be to punt the Pioneer as you will get good money for it and it will probably only give you problems down the line....Keep the Hitachi as your main workhorse being direct drive and likely better build quality than the pioneer...and set up the Thorens with your best cart for special plays,
Click to expand...

I've been working through the Pioneer PL-560's problems already and have most of them solved. I'm hoping to eventually have the plinth veneered with walnut to match my Pioneer SX-1080 receiver and AR-58LS speakers in the main listening room. The Hitachi is plenty nice but not the heavy duty quality of the Pioneer. Both are direct drive. The pioneer also has switchable quartz lock. The Thorens is great and may be a keeper for the office system--still deciding.
 
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