Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
Does anyone out there have experience with the Quintet Red? Is it better than the Denon dl-103? I have a 2mm blue and am also entertaining the idea of going up to the bronze. Using a Parasound Zphono preamp.
Ortofon Red Quintet VS. 2mm Bronze?????
- Thread starter Zach Nelson
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
Get the AT VM540ML instead of the Bronze. Heard both and like the 540 better. Has wider sound stage and more natural sounding than the Bronze. Plus, it's cheaper too!
Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
I already have one!
Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
If your phono preamp accepts MC, I would consider getting an AT-33 PTGII.
Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
That's a little more than I would like to spend. So you think my VM540ML is better than a bronze?
Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
Any thoughts on the Quintet Red?
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
I think it is. The Bronze sounded a bit more forward sounding compared to the VM540ML. I also have a MC Denon DL-301 MKII which I really liked too! The DL-301 MKII is better with used records. Very low surface noise is the first thing I noticed when I was listening for the first time. You can't go wrong with the DL-301 MKII also!
Zach Nelson
How deep is this rabbit hole?
Is the denon dl 301 mkii lower output than the DL 103?
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
It's a bit higher with .4 output. Compliance is around 23 (medium high).
patient_ot
Super Member
An MC cart with a bonded elliptical stylus is a like a race car with econobox tires. Tracking ability is also what I would call piss poor per spec @ 65um. I would consider 80um the minimum acceptable number for my own use and wouldn't spend money on a cart that can't hit that. I have carts that can hit 90um and 100um...nothing special about the Quintet Red.
Have you heard one?
I personally wouldn't buy a MC cart with a basic elliptical stylus. I have a 2M Bronze, and I don't find it to be too forward. I like the overall tonal balance and detail, in my system. I am running it through a tube hybrid pre-amp, with stand-alone phono-pre, though, so my system leans a bit toward the warm side. But, I also have a SS pre, with a highly regarded phono stage. The Bronze has a little bit more bass emphasis, and a little less depth, but has a nicely wide soundstage, and excellent detail.
If you want to go MC, get at least a nude elliptical, but preferably a HE profile or better.
If you want to go MC, get at least a nude elliptical, but preferably a HE profile or better.
patient_ot
Super Member
Don't need to. Not in the habit of throwing money away on overpriced crap. Sorry.
peter jasz
New Member
Lol ! Nice answer. I would take that attitude (I suppose) when I'm angry/envious of better hi-fi I can't afford.
pj
patient_ot
Super Member
Not envious of a crappy cartridge that tracks like ****. People these days have low standards, or no standards at all. They just continue shoveling the **** in their mouths they are fed by dealers and hi-fi rags.
peter jasz
New Member
Fair enough. AND, I agree completely abuot cosnuners 'low standards', but, I base my comment on
(40 years) experience with Ortofon cartridges (in general), and Ortofon has a history of excellence.
If youhave been in this business (hi-fi) long enough you'lll know that ANY/every manufacture has their
'turds'. Every single manufacture ! Whether the Ortofon's in question here qualifies I can't say.
Additionally, I'm also in agreement with the analogy:
" An MC cart with a bonded elliptical stylus is a like a race car with econobox tires. Tracking ability is also what I would call piss poor per spec @ 65um. I would consider 80um the minimum acceptable number for my own use and wouldn't spend money on a cart that can't hit that. I have carts that can hit 90um and 100um...nothing special about the Quintet Red"
Ortofion knows this ! However, it appears there's a market for an economical LO MC (offering typical MC benefits) and
that's what Ortofon seems to have provided. I must say though, if it in fact can only track '65um' that's a bit concerning
-very lowish in fact. Not sure why it/Ortofon couldn't easily obtain 75um ....
pj
(40 years) experience with Ortofon cartridges (in general), and Ortofon has a history of excellence.
If youhave been in this business (hi-fi) long enough you'lll know that ANY/every manufacture has their
'turds'. Every single manufacture ! Whether the Ortofon's in question here qualifies I can't say.
Additionally, I'm also in agreement with the analogy:
" An MC cart with a bonded elliptical stylus is a like a race car with econobox tires. Tracking ability is also what I would call piss poor per spec @ 65um. I would consider 80um the minimum acceptable number for my own use and wouldn't spend money on a cart that can't hit that. I have carts that can hit 90um and 100um...nothing special about the Quintet Red"
Ortofion knows this ! However, it appears there's a market for an economical LO MC (offering typical MC benefits) and
that's what Ortofon seems to have provided. I must say though, if it in fact can only track '65um' that's a bit concerning
-very lowish in fact. Not sure why it/Ortofon couldn't easily obtain 75um ....
pj
peter jasz
New Member
Hmmmm .... "... Has wider sound stage and more natural sounding than the Bronze.". Right. AT has some fine catridges (perhaps the 540ML an example), but with respect to 'naturalness' (an even tonality/transparency) the Ortofon '2M Bronze' is far more refined.
pj
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
Ortofon 2M Bronze is definitely not more refined. Bronze brighter sounding than AT VM540ML. The VM540ML has a better overall tonal balance.