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There I Go Again With Another Cart Question

beej

beej

Proud BaPa of G, A and AJ
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The original equipment cart that came with my PL-9 when I purchased it new in 1981 is a PC-3MC moving coil with the following specs:

Stylus = 0.5 mil spherical diamond (PN-3MC)
Output Voltage = 2.5mV (1kHz, 50mm/s Peak velocity, LAT)
Tracking Force = 1.7g to 2.3g (proper 2g)
Frequency Response = 10 to 32,000Hz
Recommended Load = 50k ohm
Net Weight = 3.1g

LPGear stocks an equivalent replacement stylus:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=PIR003MC

Turntableneedles also stocks an equivalent replacement stylus at a higher price. However, they also offer an upgrade for nearly double the LPGear price but with what appears to be a significantly better stylus:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=9560

I've run the PC-3MC, a Shure M97xE and an M95HE and a Pickering XV-15/625e on both my PL-9 and a PL-8 and I'm not unhappy with any of them. Quite the oppsoite in fact. I'm curious, however, as to how the MC cart will sound with a substantially improved stylus.

My question to this learned forum is:

Given the PC-3MC specs does it appear that the Turntableneedles stylus will offer performance that warrants spending $116 as opposed to $59 for the LPGear replacement?

I understand that the financial decision is mine. I'm much more interested in your views regarding the anticipated results. Thanks.
 
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Steve at Turtableneedles is a very knowledgeable guy. He buys from all the MFGs and has sold needles for a long time. I doubt there is a more knowledgeable guy out there.

Saying that, this is an after market stylus and coil assembly. The upgrade is to OEM and the big $ upgrade is to OEM with elliptical stylus. Elliptical stylus are generally accepted as the better profile to get most out of the groove. Conicals are often used in monaural to help kill a bit of the surface noise (transient sensitivity), but they don't track high frequencies as well as ellipticals.

I'd do two things. 1) I'd email Steve for his opinion. Tell him what condition your LP collection is in and what types of music you listen to the most. He'll give you his best opinion. 2) I'd also drop by JICO on the web (google JICO Stylus) and search for your cartridge. It's very likely they make both the OEM and after market units. Often you can get additional info from their selection and descriptions.

They are serious styli makers who make OEM product for a number of the TT MFGs. I don't think Pioneer actually tooled up to build a cartridge? They most likely sub'd it out to someone like JICO? That's sort of what his description is implying, but he has to be careful not to state it out rite as it'll kill his relationship with the OEM chain.

There is a similar, but less expressive series of comments about OEM and after market styli within many of the product lines. He usually is not so red letter adamant.

Cost and performance wise, I'm sure you'll do fine either way. It'll be a matter of looking for more top end detail and definition and paying to get it.
 
Words to listen by, Celt. The sagacity extant in this forum continues to impress.
 
Heard back from Steve. As advertised, Broc, he was very helpful. He's recommending the elliptical upgrade and I'll make the move. Now the question becomes: Since I now have 3 carts to upgrade, which one first? I'll probably upgrade the PC-3MC first and go from there.

Thanks again, as always.
 
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Yup, just do it in order you want. One at a time. I have a bakers dozen in rotation right now and am getting the styli for the last two I have coming from Steve (older Shure's).

I'll have a few more in a week or so, but I will not install styli on all. I have 5 TT's with three out in service around the house right now. 2 use 48mm mounting distance, one uses 52mm and the Dual is in a place by itself. I'm trying to get a small working library of cartridges for each mounting distance as I swap carts per album sound.

New favorite and absolutely not expected is a little after market stylus for an Ortofon OM. Turntableneedles.com number is 4-541-DE-Copy (confirmed as a JICO). It blows away a lot of better cartridge/styli (as in better by price). It's pretty amazing with BIG well controlled bass, good mids and highs, good detail, etc. Great Rock & Folk cartridge/styli combo. Highly recommended for those wishing their OMs had a bit more punch :)
 
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