Machineghost
Ghost in the machine
I use my Optonica Rp-7100 for "lesser records" and it is in my office with the NAD 3020A. Need some speakers tough.
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How many of you have a TT for "lesser" records?
- Thread starter ricohman
- Start date
grooveman
Super Member
When using a heavier mass tonearm which requires a low compliance cartridge, a heavier tracking force is neccesary. Too light of a tracking force with this type of tonearm/cartridge combo could actually do more harm/damage to the record's playing surface.
In the case of the Garrard Type A, which uses a heavy mass tonearm, a low compliance cartridge is needed. The Shure N44, M3D and other low compliance cartridges should be set at approximately 3 grams...maybe 2.5 at the least. The tonearm gram settings on the Type A only go as low as 3 grams for starters.
Other more advanced heavy mass tonearms, like older transcription arms, can probably track abit lighter...maybe 2 grams. I personally wouldn't track any lighter than that in this type of application. It's always good to track within the recommended tracking force found in the cartridge/stylus manual.
In the case of the Shure M3D with N3 stylus, the tracking force is 3-6 grams if I'm not mistaken. Using the N21 stylus allows tracking as low as 1.5 grams if I remember correctly. In the case of the Type A, this stylus upgrade would not be advisable as it's arm requires a heavier tracking force as provided with the M3D/N3 combo.
In the case of the Garrard Type A, which uses a heavy mass tonearm, a low compliance cartridge is needed. The Shure N44, M3D and other low compliance cartridges should be set at approximately 3 grams...maybe 2.5 at the least. The tonearm gram settings on the Type A only go as low as 3 grams for starters.
Other more advanced heavy mass tonearms, like older transcription arms, can probably track abit lighter...maybe 2 grams. I personally wouldn't track any lighter than that in this type of application. It's always good to track within the recommended tracking force found in the cartridge/stylus manual.
In the case of the Shure M3D with N3 stylus, the tracking force is 3-6 grams if I'm not mistaken. Using the N21 stylus allows tracking as low as 1.5 grams if I remember correctly. In the case of the Type A, this stylus upgrade would not be advisable as it's arm requires a heavier tracking force as provided with the M3D/N3 combo.
analog fan
Active Member
Why, when I was a lad we used to dreeeeeam of having only 95% lesser records!95% of my records are "lesser records", what I need is a 7th TT for my "greater records".
131east23
...near Frank's Pizza!
Speaking of tracking force, I just stumbled on this today as I was removing and reinstalling my tone arm. I don't know why all the details are in light gray, but it is readable. Might come in handy and also validates what many have said about heavier settings, conical styli, older set ups...
Machineghost
Ghost in the machine
I would like to get a second arm on my Tech SP-10 mkII for "lesser" records with say a Denon DL 103 cartridge.
33&athird
Turn on & Tune in
Very helpful! just saved as a pdf for later refrence. I knew there were diffrent m44 (I have a m44c), but I have had trouble locating information, because they have made that cart for nearly 40 or so years and I have an older one. Also did not relize how many types of needles there are, biradial and such... personally I perfer radial t/a's mounted on a set of mags
JonL
Lunatic Member
... personally I perfer radial t/a's mounted on a set of mags
I've bought some records that look to have been played on that very setup. :tears:
Ditto.
Never put unknown vinyl under a high quality stylus. You don't know what the previous owner did. They might have used some sort of "glide" treatment or some such. It will gunk up that lovely stylus in about one track
Some of that stuff is hard to get off. Run it with a utility cartridge and see what you get? If it runs and sounds good, then transfer to the good table and better cartridges. I'd hate to gunk up a $300 stylus and then break it trying to clean it off
SA-708
Appalachian-American
I don't have a specific turntable for lesser and/or untested records, but it is easy enough to switch cartridges on the turntables I have (replaceable headshells or p-mount cartridges) to match the cartridge to the record. I tend to reserve the best of the cartridges for the best of my record collection.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Decent cartridge but a stylus upgrade is very nice. Get yourself an A stylus for a conical or an E stylus for an elliptical. Both track between 1-2 grams tracking force and improve the cartridge's sonics.
waylyn5945
Active Member
I play all of my "garage sale" records on a Dual 601 with a Denon DL-160 cartridge. I've never had a record that the DL-160 won't track and it brings out the best of the old vinyl!:thmbsp:
