JVC QL-Y7 cartridge suggestions???

[drivedirect]

I recently acquired a JVC QL-Y7 table for $255 off the bay. I've owned the JVC QL-Y5F for some time and wanted to sample a JVC that's been suggested to be a step up.

Has anyone any experience with installing a modern MC cartridge like a Benz ACE etc. with one of these older direct drive turntables? Also, any MM cartridge recommendations?

 

[TobascoKid]

Nice catch on an undervalued TOTL turntable. I have had mine since 1980 and people still drool over its abilities and construction. The Y7’s look conventional with the exception of the rosewood but they are icebergs. Sooo suave! JVC designed them when they were on an anti-resonance kick. The microprocessor controls the drive and the smooth moving, hands-off – please-use-the-buttons, tonearm. Look under the platter to see the zinc anti-resonance ring. There is another under the tonearm base. The platter has both an electronic and a physical brake. No linkage so they are simple under the hood. A statement design, they feel and act different from others. The well thought integration must have been a love or nightmare to design and build.

Can’t be perfect; the original headshell are good looking on the long arm but a disappointment. They easily adjusts fore and aft but can’t twist the cartridge so changing alignments are not possible. Luckily it uses the standard S-arm headshells that can adjust.

I have a Stanton 681 EE running on mine. The damping brush is not necessary so there is no possibility of brush sounds. Another cartridge worth looking over is the Audio Technica AT120E. But the Y7 really comes to life with MC cartridges. The tonearm dial-a-ride controls gives plenty of options. You have a cool toy!

 

[drivedirect]

Thanks TobascoKid,

I'm delighted to have some input from a user that's owned a Y7 for 30 years. WOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

So I'm wondering if the Y7 would be a decent match with a Benz ACE MC cartridge? They're about $500 ($700) new if I search hard to find one, and having owned a Benz WOOD SH and a Benz ACE 2.5 HO cartridge that I used on a Marantz TT15S1 turntable I'm a fan of the Benz cartridges. But I don't want to acquire an ACE if it's not a good match for the Y7.

Are these modern cartridges as good a fit with vintage turntables in general, or particularly with the Y7?

 

[hakaplan]

I think you may have a hard time finding someone who's used a Benz on this particular tt. The age of the tt isn't the factor as much as the arm mass. Based on that alone, the Benz should be a good match (medium mass arm with a medium compliance cartridge). Then to go farther, the servo controlled arm supposedly damps the resonance giving you even more leeway in what cartridge you use. Many have used the Benz on the high end Technics tables with glowing reports. I'd have no reason to expect otherwise on this beautiful JVC.