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Signet MR 5.0e needs stylus - what to do?

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Buying, selling... mainly buying
Hi folks,

As always, I am confounded about replacing a stylus. I have Denon DP-62L TT that I picked-up in a pawnshop. I only have the low-mass, straight arm - no S-Arm. It came with a Signet MR 5.0e that has a collapsed suspension, so I need a new stylus. I am not sure if the cart itself is good or not but I suspect it is OK. One suggestion I got was get an ATN155lc but that's a pretty pricey stylus (to me) for a cart that is in unknown health.

What I would like to do is get something decent to see if the cart is good and then maybe step-up to something a bit better one I know all is well.

Does this plan makes sense or I am I just wasting money? Also, is the Signet cart a good pairing with my 62L? Right now I have a Ortofon OM cart with a clone Ortofon Vivid Line Stylus 30 from LP Gear. While it sounds pretty good, I have been told that's not a really a good match with my gear.

I would love to experiment with various carts, but the way the straight Denon arm mounts the cart, swapping out is a pretty big deal (no removable headshell). Getting a spare arm (straight or S) is pretty much out of the question in that they are $200+ on a good day!

I don't know why but I have always had a hard time wrapping my head around carts & styli. It's always been a big question mark for me.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
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Use a dvm to measure the coils. If the left and right side match, you're good. The stylus is usually the problem with the AT cartridges. I have a bunch, and the cartridge body has never been a problem. Out of the ten or so that I have, none have open coils.
 
Even though the stylus has collapsed, you can still use it to test the cartridge. Simply rub the stylus gently with a fingertip and listen for fingerprint-like sound from both channels. The AT120 series of cartridges all have styli that will work in the Signet. It's not a complete list, but look at groups K and L.
 
I have a Signet MR 5.0me, which as I understand, shares the same body of your 5.0e. Unfortunately, it came to me with a worn out stylus.

I also have a low hour AT-7V cartridge. The stylus from the 7V fits on the 5.0me just fine. I have not done an extensive listening comparison but to me, the 7V stylus on the 5.0me cartridge seems to have a brighter presentation than it does on the 7V cartridge. I already have a lively room so the Signet went back into my spare box and when I want some AT goodness, I turn to the stock AT-7V cartridge.

All that said, the 7V is not designed for use on a low mass tonearm. I have a fairly low mass tonearm on my Thorens TD-147. I like the way Grado cartridges sound on that turntable. Though, before I would purchase a Grado cartridge, I'd do some research and see if there are any reports of Grado cartridges humming on the DP-62L. Quite a few folks like the Shure M97xE on lower mass tonearms.

If you ever decide to step into the world of low output moving coil cartridges, the Denon DL-301 MkII could be a candidate for your tonearm. It sounds very nice on my TD-147.
 
Have the 5e version. Just picked up the ATN-140LC for it based on wualta's guidance. Looking forward to testing it. The ATN155 price difference was hard to justify. Didn't look but I assume Jico has replacements as well?
 
ranch 22b said:
If you ever decide to step into the world of low output moving coil cartridges, the Denon DL-301 MkII could be a candidate for your tonearm. It sounds very nice on my TD-147.
Click to expand...

That would also entail a SUT, correct? If so that's starting to get above my $$$ comfort zone. What about a Denon DL-110 to dip my toe in the coil pool? Would that be a good match with the my tonearm as well?
 
You wouldn't necessarily need a SUT to use a low output moving coil cartridge but you would at least need a separate phono pre amp or built in phono pre amp that can handle the weaker signal of a LOMC.

I cannot remember trying a DL-110 on the light arm of my Thorens turntable. I know that the DL-110 will work on medium mass tonearms.
 
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