Just purchased a Yamaha PX-2 turntable for my second system. Seller said he is includeing a "Ruby Saphire" cartridge with the PX-2. I checked around and was unable to find any info on cartridges mfg by "Ruby" and was wondering if anyone had a clue as to who mfg the cartridge and if it is a decent enough cartridge. If the cartridge turns out to be real low end any suggestions on a replacement cartridge that would be a good match for the PX-2. The PX-2 will be replacing a semi-auto Sony PS-x500 turntable with a Denon DL-110 cartridge that I have used for a number of years. Actually the Sony sounds quite decent and wonder if the Yamaha will be much of an improvement.
Yamaha PX-2
- Thread starter majick47
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
the-real-mandak
Super Member
If you don't like the PX-2 sell it to me 
I know theophile is using a Dynavector Karat 17D Mk II on his PX-2
I know theophile is using a Dynavector Karat 17D Mk II on his PX-2
Fred Longworth
audio fanatic
Yes, Dynavector Ruby . . . a moving-coil device. Be very careful with the stylus!!! Should sound terrific.
Fred Longworth
StereoTech Classic Audio Repair
http://www.repairaudio.com
Fred Longworth
StereoTech Classic Audio Repair
http://www.repairaudio.com
Did you get the PX-2 that was on Audiogon? Let us know what you think once you have a good listen.
Nakdoc
nakamichi spoken here
I was gonna guess Dynavector, too. Since the PS-X500 is semi massive, you won't hear as much difference as you would going from light plastic to massive. As you move towards the high end the differences are more subtle, and more expensive! Linear arms really clean up the last song on an LP, so pull out some favorite records where the last song is great, but sounds bad, and let us know what you hear with the PX 2.
Yamaha PX-2/ Ruby saphire
You guessed right, it's the one from Audiogon and it's comeing with the factory shipping box, accessories, cartridge etc from the original first owner. I'll let you know which cartridge comes with the table. I once heard a members PX-2 and it sounded very nice, off hand I don't remember which cartridge was on it but I'm sure it was a good one. Hate to side line the Sony, I'v had it for 25+/- years.
You guessed right, it's the one from Audiogon and it's comeing with the factory shipping box, accessories, cartridge etc from the original first owner. I'll let you know which cartridge comes with the table. I once heard a members PX-2 and it sounded very nice, off hand I don't remember which cartridge was on it but I'm sure it was a good one. Hate to side line the Sony, I'v had it for 25+/- years.
I sort of keep my eye on Audiogon. Sometimes find some great stuff at reasonable prices there. Your PX-2 being a good example. Don't need to side-line the Sony. Run both. Am sure you find that they have different sounds. I have two completely recapped and aligned, etc., Sony tuners. I listen to the ST-5000FW for anything with voices and without piano. And listen to the ST-J75 for jazz, piano and orchestral music. Will be doing a similar thing with my Yamana and Sony TTs, once my wife tells me which house we are going to be living in. 
Well.....if you are really, really, really lucky, it will the Benz Micro Ruby MC cartridge, which sold for $2500 before recent price increases. But, the Dynavector and/or Grace would also be an excellent find, if it is in good shape.
Yamaha PX-2/Ruby saphire
The Grace F9 ruby was the other "ruby" cartridge that I ran into a lot in searching and I read nothing but praise for it's sound/performance. The Benz ruby might be a long shot but you never know. My only guess is at the time the seller purchased a cartridge that was the equal of the PX-2 and either the Dynavector or Grace were highly popular. Re Audiogon I have no complaints re equipment I have purchased and prices paid, like Ebay prices can be all over the map. The equipment condition is better controlled than rolling the dice on Ebay with some exceptions. Lately noticed a few sellers listing items both on Audiogon and Ebay at the same time.
The Grace F9 ruby was the other "ruby" cartridge that I ran into a lot in searching and I read nothing but praise for it's sound/performance. The Benz ruby might be a long shot but you never know. My only guess is at the time the seller purchased a cartridge that was the equal of the PX-2 and either the Dynavector or Grace were highly popular. Re Audiogon I have no complaints re equipment I have purchased and prices paid, like Ebay prices can be all over the map. The equipment condition is better controlled than rolling the dice on Ebay with some exceptions. Lately noticed a few sellers listing items both on Audiogon and Ebay at the same time.
Hi all!
Majick,
G'day.Yeah I've got a PX-2.
I LOVE IT!
I know there must be better TTs out there.(I haven't heard any
)
Great TT,you will not be sorry.I use mine with the Dynavector Karat Diamond,as mentioned previously.Sounds great.
I invested in a SAP Relaxa 3+ mag-lev table(great by the way),which sits on a diy "rollerblock/ball" setup.
Absof*#@inglutely great sound.I have NO regrets about buying this TT(had you guessed?),and will mourn the day it curls up it's toes and(sniff sniff)dies :tears:
Enjoy it.
One question,how much did you pay for it.Oh and don't forget to register your PX-2 on 'thevintageknob'.Hi Axel.
Majick,
G'day.Yeah I've got a PX-2.
I LOVE IT!
I know there must be better TTs out there.(I haven't heard any
)Great TT,you will not be sorry.I use mine with the Dynavector Karat Diamond,as mentioned previously.Sounds great.
I invested in a SAP Relaxa 3+ mag-lev table(great by the way),which sits on a diy "rollerblock/ball" setup.
Absof*#@inglutely great sound.I have NO regrets about buying this TT(had you guessed?),and will mourn the day it curls up it's toes and(sniff sniff)dies :tears:
Enjoy it.
One question,how much did you pay for it.Oh and don't forget to register your PX-2 on 'thevintageknob'.Hi Axel.
Yamaha PX-2/Ruby Saphire
Axel re the PX-2 I purchased it from the original owner off Audiogon for $300 and I'll make sure I register it on thevintagenob. After hearing all the encourageing comments I might let the PX-2 share the spotlight in my primary system with a VPI HW19 MkIII. The VPI sits on a commercial heavy weight computer equipment stand and the listening room has a cement slab floor, zero vibration/feedback to the TT. Like you I have mostly vintage Yamaha equipment, CX-2000/CX-800U/CDX-2020/CDX-2000/TX-2000/(2) MX-2000/PC4002M (pro amp 420x2). Speakers JBL L300 and 4301b. The build quality of this vintage Yamaha equipment is superb and will probably outlast me.
Axel re the PX-2 I purchased it from the original owner off Audiogon for $300 and I'll make sure I register it on thevintagenob. After hearing all the encourageing comments I might let the PX-2 share the spotlight in my primary system with a VPI HW19 MkIII. The VPI sits on a commercial heavy weight computer equipment stand and the listening room has a cement slab floor, zero vibration/feedback to the TT. Like you I have mostly vintage Yamaha equipment, CX-2000/CX-800U/CDX-2020/CDX-2000/TX-2000/(2) MX-2000/PC4002M (pro amp 420x2). Speakers JBL L300 and 4301b. The build quality of this vintage Yamaha equipment is superb and will probably outlast me.
Very nice gear set. :thmbsp: When you state 'like you, I have mostly vintage Yamaha equipment'....you are speaking to several of us, but not Axel, who has chosen mostly vintage Sony :tears: (a most worthy competitor and leaves more Yamaha for the rest of us :thmbsp: ). But, Axel is not a total heretic, as he does have the odd vintage Yamaha piece, like the NS-10 speakers he listens to.
What you need for your new PX-2 or VPI HW19 MkIII is one of these :yes: http://audiokarma.org/ads/showproduct.php?product=347&sort=1&cat=13&page=2
And to make your vintage Yamaha system complete, you need these :thmbsp:
http://audiokarma.org/ads/showproduct.php?product=1943&sort=1&cat=20&page=1
Of course, I would happily take your L300s on trade for any of the above.
How about a couple of pic's? You can post over here. http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52897&highlight=Post+yamahas Sounds like a great system.
What you need for your new PX-2 or VPI HW19 MkIII is one of these :yes: http://audiokarma.org/ads/showproduct.php?product=347&sort=1&cat=13&page=2
And to make your vintage Yamaha system complete, you need these :thmbsp:
http://audiokarma.org/ads/showproduct.php?product=1943&sort=1&cat=20&page=1
Of course, I would happily take your L300s on trade for any of the above.
How about a couple of pic's? You can post over here. http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52897&highlight=Post+yamahas Sounds like a great system.
the-real-mandak
Super Member
That is some really nice Yamaha gear. How did you get you're hands on an MX-2000, did you buy a TOTL 2xxx set?
the-real-mandak
Super Member
You are a lucky man; the PX-2 proves it
There is another one on eBay at the moment. $255 the last I looked.
the-real-mandak
Super Member
I don't think many people have owned both, but in the long run I might put my money on the TD-125 with the Sumiko MDC800. That arm is supposed to be GRRRR nice. The only place where the PX-2 might take a win is at the last track on a LP, the angel to the record is better so sound is properly cleaner.
What ever you decide, I would like the "looser".
---Edit---
Darn, Why do I have so many edit's..
Well there is also an PX-2 here in Europe, some jerk is trying to sell with a bin of 1.900 Euro. Last one sold here was about 360,- Euro.
What ever you decide, I would like the "looser".
---Edit---
Darn, Why do I have so many edit's..
Well there is also an PX-2 here in Europe, some jerk is trying to sell with a bin of 1.900 Euro. Last one sold here was about 360,- Euro.
Last edited:
I'm a heretic.
I still own an Oracle Alexandria.I used it for 18 years.I wouldn't put it back and take out a PX-2/3.
These TTs are true sleepers.Because they flew under the radar at the time they were released,they haven't acquired 'audiophile cred'.They were also up against the Linn marketing machine which bellowed the superiority of that TT.
This meant that direct drives were automatically dismissed as triumphs of technology over sound quality.Big mistake.
The worst demo I've ever attended was at the showroom of the then importer of Linn into Australia.TOTL Linn/Naim system with budget Linn speakers.I've heard bedside clock radios sound better than that set-up.No fault of the components(I've heard them sound good elsewhere),but there was something definitely amiss.
I still own an Oracle Alexandria.I used it for 18 years.I wouldn't put it back and take out a PX-2/3.
These TTs are true sleepers.Because they flew under the radar at the time they were released,they haven't acquired 'audiophile cred'.They were also up against the Linn marketing machine which bellowed the superiority of that TT.
This meant that direct drives were automatically dismissed as triumphs of technology over sound quality.Big mistake.
The worst demo I've ever attended was at the showroom of the then importer of Linn into Australia.TOTL Linn/Naim system with budget Linn speakers.I've heard bedside clock radios sound better than that set-up.No fault of the components(I've heard them sound good elsewhere),but there was something definitely amiss.