Pioneer PL-630 cartridge upgrade recommendations

[bigrynz]

Hello all. I posted this same message on another board and I'm looking for all the help I can get.

I have a Pioneer PL-630 turntable which came with a new Shure M97xE cartridge on it when I bought it 2 years ago. I'm running it through a Yamaha RX-V863 receiver and using the receiver's built-in phono preamp. I realize this is by no means an audiophile level system, but I haven't much budget to work with. I would like to eventually at least upgrade the cartridge, as I feel the M97xE doesn't produce enough highs on my system.

I've been doing a lot of reading/video watching/listening to online needledrops the last few days. It all gets a little confusing and overwhelming after a while, but the options I like so far (based on my tastes and budget) are:

1) Keeping the M97xE and upgrading to the Jico SAS stylus
2. The Audio Technica AT440MLa (or AT440MLb)
3. The Denon DL-110

The M97xE with stock stylus is quite a bit more quiet through my receiver's phono input than the volume level of a CD on the same system. Would putting the Jico SAS on it bring the volume up?

Are the cartridges I've mentioned good matches for the PL-630 tonearm?

Would I need a separate phono stage for the DL-110 since it's a moving coil cartridge? Or for the AT440MLa or AT440MLb for that matter? I'd rather not have to spend another $200 on a phono stage if I can avoid it.

Is the DL-110 as good of a tracker as the AT440MLa or AT440MLb?

Do the aforementioned cartridges/styli last a long time?

So many questions...

I also heard needledrops from a Goldring Elektra online that I really liked. Is this considered a lower-end cartridge and do they still even make it?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[skandl]

do you have another receiver with phono inputs to test with not sure why you would notice a significant difference between CD and Phono. The reason I ask is to make sure you phono input on the yammy isn't going bad.

 

[bigrynz]

do you have another receiver with phono inputs to test with not sure why you would notice a significant difference between CD and Phono. The reason I ask is to make sure you phono input on the yammy isn't going bad.

No other receiver sadly. However on the Pioneer receiver I used to have, which I had a Realistic LAB-440 hooked up to, it was about the same level difference between CDs. So I'm pretty sure the Yamaha phono input is fine.

 

[skandl]

That is a fairly new receiver I am not sure maybe you know is there any control over the phono stage in the setup?

 

[bigrynz]

That is a fairly new receiver I am not sure maybe you know is there any control over the phono stage in the setup?

Not to my knowledge, no.

 

[skandl]

I own both the Shure and Denon, I don't think you will increase output by going to the Denon. The
Den is a high output MC so no step up amp is needed. The Shure is very capable even with the stock stylus an upgrade would definitely be the JICO, BUT not sure that you will increase output from the receiver.

How much difference is it are you going from say -20db closer to 0 to get the same output with the phono?

 

[skandl]

Input Sensitivity/Input Impedance


PHONO (MM)........................................................ 3.5 mV/47 kΩ

CD, etc. ................................................................. 200 mV/47 kΩ

MULTI CH INPUT ............................................... 200 mV/47 kΩ

 

[skandl]

someone with more electrical engineering skills can chime in but I would say that is why other inputs, output louder.

 

[bigrynz]

I own both the Shure and Denon, I don't think you will increase output by going to the Denon. The
Den is a high output MC so no step up amp is needed. The Shure is very capable even with the stock stylus an upgrade would definitely be the JICO, BUT not sure that you will increase output from the receiver.

How much difference is it are you going from say -20db closer to 0 to get the same output with the phono?

I just checked it, playing the same song on vinyl and CD and switching back and forth on my receiver. It's about a 10dB difference.

 

[bigrynz]

So perhaps it's just the difference between vinyl vs CD output in general. Thanks for the info on the Denon and Shure!