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My first Low Output Moving Coil cartridge, and it came all the way from the 80’s!

BigBogner

BigBogner

Member
Pics first: https://imgur.com/a/PV7XCL9

I spotted this Rotel RP-900 listed on OfferUp for $250 yesterday. Immediately I noticed how in the listing, the seller mentioned it having a Sumiko Talisman Sapphire cartridge, although you couldn’t make out the cartridge in the pictures. I’ve been looking to get more into the world of vintage MC cartridges, and this seemed like a great starting point. I could spot a Rega RB-250 tone arm on the TT and figured, if nothing else, that’s worth the $200 I talked him down to, not to mention yesterday was my birthday, so I had a bit of a “treat yoself” moment.

When I arrived to meet the seller, he mentioned that he had the original box for the cartridge which I could have, as well as a Realistic record bulrush (discwasher style), his original pressing of The Wall, and Breakfast in America by Supertramp. Score!

Inside the cartridge’s box was the original warranty card, spec sheet, and a test print. What a treat to see this material from literally before I was born. To my surprise, this was the Low Output Moving Coil version, not the HOMC (Alchemist) I had expected. Seeing that I don’t have a dedicated MC phono input, I decided to go into the MM phono in on my SX-880 and give it a whirl. Of course, not nearly enough gain to push like the MM’s did, but clear, crisp, open, dynamic, musical, this cartridge sounds incredible.

So now the question is: to Schiit or not to Schiit? I need a MC phono preamp within the $200 range, and this seems to check all the boxes. Anything I should consider aside from this? The Pro-Ject seems promising.

Anywho, I thought you guys would get a kick out of some vintage cartridge porn. Stay happy and healthy out there folks.
 
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Great Vintage LOMC! You will need a MC preamp to obtain the correct loading for this cartridge (40 - 100 ohms not the 47K ohms your MM input supplies).
Have fun
 
BigBogner said:
Of course, not nearly enough gain to push like the MM’s did, but clear, crisp, open, dynamic, musical, this cartridge sounds incredible.
So now the question is: to Schiit or not to Schiit? I need a MC phono preamp within the $200 range, and this seems to check all the boxes. Anything I should consider aside from this? The Pro-Ject seems promising.
Click to expand...
You have three options:
1) Get an mc-compatible outboard phonostage. A cheap one might not do the cartridge justice.
2) Get a step-up transformer and feed the transformer into the Rotel's mm phono input. A turns ratio of 1:20 would be ideal, but 1:10 would do the job too.
3) Get an mc headamp. It does basically the same job as a step-up transformer but does it with transistors rather than transformers. They're pretty rare, but I make one :biggrin:
 
BigBogner said:
You have my attention...
Click to expand...
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/headspace_mc_headamp.html
Headspace2.JPG
 
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Well done, getting a nice cartridge that might not be worn out for short money. Even worn out many MC carts are worth a few bucks on the bay cause folks want a particular model and they'll get it and have it retipped. So you can enjoy that next step up in phono performance with that new amp or SUT and be ready if another LOMC drops your way. I have a few obtained that way and they were both more than half their life remaining, good condition and ready to go.
 
Not wishing to rain on anyones parade but if $$$ is a concern if you can find one of these

Rotel RQ-970BX

it will get you going for not crazy money.
 
Listen to Mr Rothwell, he knows of what he talks ;)

IMHO, an SUT (like the Rothwell MCL) would be best in this situation, his head amp would surely do very well indeed.
 
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