Help picking a high compliance cartridge

[dlaloum]

How can you tell??

Early versions of the OM40 had the Van Den Hull stylus, later ones had the Fritz Geiger, they are both excellent (and the VdH is made by FG for VdH), but it is one way of identifying.

Early OM30's were also available in an OM30H (high compliance) version, I presume the stylus would have been the Stylus30H...

This is the sort of thing you have to get lucky to find (and have to be looking for it!)

 

[luckydog]

Also looking at the OM40 anyone know if this tracks very well?

Yes, I have the OM40 FG and it tracks excellently. Trackability measures superbly too. I suppose as one might expect, but lives up to reputation and expectations IME. Mine is getting on a bit now. I don't look forward to replacing it with anything else, probably get another one. HTH !

 

[kceateva]

I found Van Den Hull stylus on the web, but cant remember were grrrrrrr..Thanks for the tip now on a hunt! Anyone try Clearaudio carts? They look interesting.

 

[hamsterdam]

A similar, and possibly dumb question. When it comes time to replace my AT 440MLa Stylus, is it best to stay with the AT Microline, or is there another stylus that might yield nice results? After a little putzing around to get the cart not to ride as low as it can be prone to, it caused me to ponder on whether there is an aftermarket stylus that would produce nice results, around the same, or bit higher price point...anyone have an idea? Nothing too in-depth, i don't want to hijack the thread. i've heard great things about LP Gear, and that was the source i was wondering about.

i should point out that i have no issues at all with the AT stylus, just looking to learn about options as i go...but of course with StyLast, my current stylus should last 3,600 years, right?

 

[dlaloum]

A similar, and possibly dumb question. When it comes time to replace my AT 440MLa Stylus, is it best to stay with the AT Microline, or is there another stylus that might yield nice results? After a little putzing around to get the cart not to ride as low as it can be prone to, it caused me to ponder on whether there is an aftermarket stylus that would produce nice results, around the same, or bit higher price point...anyone have an idea? Nothing too in-depth, i don't want to hijack the thread. i've heard great things about LP Gear, and that was the source i was wondering about.

i should point out that i have no issues at all with the AT stylus, just looking to learn about options as i go...but of course with StyLast, my current stylus should last 3,600 years, right?

There are several aftermarket makers of AT styli that fit, but they all use standard aluminium cantilevers - the 440MLa is a rather nice tapered aluminium cantilever, the AM ones are not tapered (which means heavier, and less rigid)

The Jico styli are good quality and sound good, but they are not particularly cheap.

Best option is just to stay with AT, for an upgrade you can go to the ATN150MLx or even the ATN150ANV...

 

[kceateva]

Been looking at DYNAVECTOR DV-20 X2 MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE, and was wondering when referring to low and high output was wondering what the requirements for each? My Adcom pre amp GFP-555 has two switches one for lo MC and the other MM/hiMC. The MM/hiMC states the output is 2.2 millivolts should be used. Does that mean if I switch the lo MC and the cart was 0.3MV it would work ok? Or would I need something else? Also looking at Grado Statement Sonata1 could I switch out the carts like in the older bodies? How much of an upgrade is this from a 8MZ?

 

[kceateva]

mmmm

 

[skriefal]

The manual indicates that the Low MC input will work with moving coil cartridges having output as low as 0.13 mV. A 0.3 mV cartridge should do fine.

 

[lini]

(...) Early OM30's were also available in an OM30H (high compliance) version, I presume the stylus would have been the Stylus30H... (...)

Careful, David, it was the LM/TM/Hifi-Concorde generation, in which there were both a 30 and a 30H. However, these needles wouldn't fit on an OM(B/P), SuperOM or Pro/DJ-Concorde body - it only works the other way around.


kc: Another idea cut be to put a new old stock ATN155LC or ATN152LP on your AT120E body, if you'd like to try a nice, highly compliant needle variant with LinearContact on beryllium cantilever.


Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[neobop]

I found Van Den Hull stylus on the web, but cant remember were grrrrrrr..Thanks for the tip now on a hunt! Anyone try Clearaudio carts? They look interesting.

Clearaudio MMs are all made by AT and can take AT95 (3400 series) replacement styli. Compliance is 6.5cu @100Hz = 15cu.

The generators are all basically the same and pretty much identical to the AT95. People remove the excess plastic from the carrier and use aftermarket styli, however all of these are bonded tips. If you wanted a higher compliance tip, you could use a 3472 series (P-mount) in the same way. Compliance is similar to modern 120/440. The 3472 series and aftermarket replacements are also bonded tips, however the HE and LC (VL) work well, as does the SE - .3 x .7.

It's thought that the wood top on series 1 damps vibrations and gives smoother response. I haven't tried series 2. CA recently rolled back specs and now they're virtually the same as AT95. It's unknown if there are any other internal differences like OCC wire.
neo

 

[neobop]

Been looking at DYNAVECTOR DV-20 X2 MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE, and was wondering when referring to low and high output was wondering what the requirements for each? My Adcom pre amp GFP-555 has two switches one for lo MC and the other MM/hiMC. The MM/hiMC states the output is 2.2 millivolts should be used. Does that mean if I switch the lo MC and the cart was 0.3MV it would work ok? Or would I need something else? Also looking at Grado Statement Sonata1 could I switch out the carts like in the older bodies? How much of an upgrade is this from a 8MZ?

The Dynavector carts are well thought of. But compliance is rather low - 12cu.
Max VTF is 2.2g. Both 20X weigh 8.6g. I don't think they currently make any high cu models.
neo

 

[kceateva]

Thank you giving me more interesting ideas. Been spending my days reading and thinking. I need to make a decision soon. Still looking around part of me wants to stay with audio technica, the other wants to try somthing new. Mmmmm

 

[kceateva]

Dynavector carts look real interesting, but I was thinking the same thing Neobop. Anyone know the Grado Sonata1 compliance is?

 

[kceateva]

So what I have read the Grado Sonata 1 works well with low compliance cartridge which is perfect! Still looking for others, but making my short list. Thank you all for the help suggestions and shading light on this topic.

 

[kceateva]

Hey anyone know if the Denon DL103D or Nagaoka MP-500 be a good match with this turntable?

 

[dlaloum]

DL103 - OK but you will need a heavy headshell, or add additional weight on the headshell (it really wants a heavier arm, but the arm can be made heavier relatively easily)

MP500 should be a good match. (good cartridge too!)

 

[kceateva]

Thank you for the info

 

[kceateva]

Ok down to three carts Supper OM40, Nagaoka MP-500 and thinking about upgrading my grado stylus 8MZ to a Grado TLZ Stylus. Need help making a decision pro cons thoughts anything will do. I understand they are all good, just like user experiences or just some thoughts on these carts. Thank you guys again!

 

[neobop]

Ok down to three carts Supper OM40, Nagaoka MP-500 and thinking about upgrading my grado stylus 8MZ to a Grado TLZ Stylus. Need help making a decision pro cons thoughts anything will do. I understand they are all good, just like user experiences or just some thoughts on these carts. Thank you guys again!

Is compliance still a priority?
The OM40 is the only high compliance cart on your list. The Grado is 20cu - medium and the MP500 is 8.5cu @ 100 Hz and weighs 8.5g. That's about 16 or 17cu @ 10Hz ?

neo

 

[kceateva]

kind of, but I am at the point with going with high/medium mass.Any one know if you can put a higher grado stylus on a Grado GC cartridge , and get good results?