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Help with carts

F

farflungstar

Active Member
Hi - okay I'm looking for a cart - I have the chance of either en old Empire, AT125LC, AT12SA, AT440MLA or Denon DL103

My preference is the denon but at only 3mv output it won't drive my mm phono input - or will it? Would a step up transformer be the only way?

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Hi!
First of all we need to know, on which tonearm you are going to use the new cart.
The range you mentioned features lots of different compliances and to every cart matches any arm.
The DL 103 for instance is a very low compliance cart only playing well on heavy arms.
And: yes, you need a VERY GOOD step up transformer to use it and to take it to the max.
The DL 103 only performs well with a good phono preamp and good step up's.
 
OK - It would go on a stock pioneer 12d s shape arm however the arm tube has been modified and weighs approx 6 gms more. The stock head shell has been replaced with a 9 gram headshell. I'd be happy to add a little mass to the tube - I've been toying with that idea. Theres currently a matched pair of vintage partridge step up transformers on the bay a the moment.

I guess like everyone I'm looking for the holy grail of carts at a realistic price - the dl103 is available new at 200 bucks the at125lc 70bucks new and the at12sa 90bucks.



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The tonearm with the heavier headshell should go well along with the DL 103.
But let me throw another cart in the ring, the DL 110.
It's one of my favourites for heavier arms. I use it for instance on a Dual 1019 (what a combination!!) and on a S-shape arm of a Metz player.
With a compliance of 15 it should perform well on your Pio.
 
OK so I just bought the Empire scientific 2000 EIII cart for 98 bucks on the bay. This after 3 hours of reading reviews! For less than a 100 its worth the chance. Now I have a question about original versus replacement styli - new thread...

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ffs: Uhm, any reason why you've bought a very low tracking force cart for a table with a medium heavy arm, that has been made even heavier?

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
I could easily change headshells for a lighter aluminium job - or is the stock arm just too heavy? I read a few posts, one using the cart in a pl11d and another reviewing the cart and swapping it for his denon 103 - so I kinda thought it would be OK and was swept away by the rave reviews the cart gets. I can play around with counterbalances and headshells... The next thing on my list is a new arm to replace the stock one - maybe a SME - though I have a very light carbon fibre tube just waiting for a bearing housing and have played with the idea of swapping it for the s tube stock - that I like detachables is what's stopping me.

I guess I'm looking for the impossible - fine resolution wide deep soundstage and smooth presentation.

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