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Need advice, should I keep my pmount or move to an entry level std cart

goldenpath23

goldenpath23

New Member
Hello! First time poster here, but I've enjoyed all the info available on the forums!

Hopefully you wonderful folks can give me some input on a turntable question. My current turntable is a Technics SL-Q300 with an AT92E pmount cartridge. I'm not unhappy with the table, but there's just such a limited selection of cartridges available. So, I've been keeping an eye out for a turntable that uses a standard mount and found a Pioneer PL-12X on my local Craigslist for $40. It's a belt drive and needs a new belt according to the seller, and it had a headshell but needs a stylus (I would plan to put a Sumiko black pearl on it anyway).

My question is this: is it worth jumping from my direct drive pmount to what I've read is an entry level belt drive Pioneer that would give me more options for the cartridge? Or should I just keep looking for something else?

More info on my setup-
Marantz 1060 amp
Baby Advent IIs
Zenith Allegro 3000 (thrift store gamble that I've been pleasantly surprised by)
 
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Don't know anything about your specific TT, but the subject of P-mounts has come up quite a bit. There are several threads to review on the topic, and there are some decent and even good P-mount cartridges. The threads contain references to such.

I have a P-mount, Shure M111HE, on a Pioneer PL-707. It's pretty good.
 
Hey whoaru99, I have done reading on pmounts and I definitely want to switch to the standard mount. I guess my question is more if it's worth switching to more of an "entry level" table like the Pioneer PL-12x.
 
Feel free to buy a std mount table if you want, but the SL-300 is a nice table - quartz drive and excellent specs. As mentioned, cartridge upgrades are available. Personally, I'm not wild about the AT p-mounts I've had/heard. Grado makes some nice p-mount options as well as Shure (which has some stylus upgrade possibilities worth exploring also).
 
I'd look further into into available carts for your p mount. All the major players make quite good carts in p mount and there's the whole aftermarket stylus options as well. Even your at92 can be fitted with vivid line or shibata stylii to take it to a whole new level.

Just my 2 cents...
 
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Alright, so y'all have changed my mind! I'm looking harder into the pmount options. Is it worth upgrading the AT92E that I currently have or just go with something else entirely, like a Shure or Ortofon? To upgrade, I found this one.

I'd like to keep a replacement cartridge or stylus around $150. From more reading on the forums, I'm leaning towards this combination: M92E cartridge with this Jico SAS stylus.

Thanks again for all the input everyone, I really appreciate it! :thmbsp:
 
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