Your Top 5 older cartridges
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Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
Koetsu Black-80s
Dynvector 23R-early 80s, this one does more better than the rest.
Ortofon MC20-Late 70s
Audio Technica AT 15/20Sa-Early 70s
Stanton 681 and some number of Es-late 60s and 70s
Shure V15 Type whatever year you need
and since @Freddymac2 needs to know about DD status, the first two are on tables as is the Stanton. The Ortofon and AT are on headshells and the Shure, never had one past the Type II which is here but know the later ones are sweet, too. and now I have to edit again because of him with the preferred for all cartridge.
Dynvector 23R-early 80s, this one does more better than the rest.
Ortofon MC20-Late 70s
Audio Technica AT 15/20Sa-Early 70s
Stanton 681 and some number of Es-late 60s and 70s
Shure V15 Type whatever year you need
and since @Freddymac2 needs to know about DD status, the first two are on tables as is the Stanton. The Ortofon and AT are on headshells and the Shure, never had one past the Type II which is here but know the later ones are sweet, too. and now I have to edit again because of him with the preferred for all cartridge.
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A few of the commonly available vintage cartridges that I use and like quite a bit, nothing exotic:
Audio Technica AT-13ea
Shure V-15 type III
Shure M75ED type II (throw M95ED and M91ED in there too)
Ortofon FF15E mkIII / VMS series
Empire 400 TC (also like the 2000E III)
Audio Technica AT-13ea
Shure V-15 type III
Shure M75ED type II (throw M95ED and M91ED in there too)
Ortofon FF15E mkIII / VMS series
Empire 400 TC (also like the 2000E III)
ETI_5000
Super Member
In order, best sounding first, with approximate dates of first release. All are with the genuine stylus:
Denon DL-304 (1984)
Denon DL-103D (1977)
Shure V15 Type V-MR (1984)
Shure V15V-P (1985) (Sounds very similar to the V-MR - I've only ranked it lower due to the HE stylus being not quite as good in shape as the MR)
Ortofon MC 10 Super (1984)
Denon DL-304 (1984)
Denon DL-103D (1977)
Shure V15 Type V-MR (1984)
Shure V15V-P (1985) (Sounds very similar to the V-MR - I've only ranked it lower due to the HE stylus being not quite as good in shape as the MR)
Ortofon MC 10 Super (1984)
Shure M92E
Ortofon OM
These are the only cartridges from that era that I've heard recently enough to be relevant. The M92E used to be Shure's least expensive P-mount model, and today is their only remaining P-mount cartridge. I found it surprisingly pleasant on a friend's Technics SL-B20. I had never been a big Ortofon fan, but I have to say that the OM5E has impressed me on a friend's Rega P1, especially with the Stylus 20 upgrade. Off-hand, I can't think of a cartridge that I personally used and enjoyed in the '70's and '80's (I bought mostly Stanton and Pickering models, plus a few AT variants from Linn) that has remained in production or for which original styli are still being produced. My current favorite is Shure's M97xE, which I think was introduced around 1996.
Ortofon OM
These are the only cartridges from that era that I've heard recently enough to be relevant. The M92E used to be Shure's least expensive P-mount model, and today is their only remaining P-mount cartridge. I found it surprisingly pleasant on a friend's Technics SL-B20. I had never been a big Ortofon fan, but I have to say that the OM5E has impressed me on a friend's Rega P1, especially with the Stylus 20 upgrade. Off-hand, I can't think of a cartridge that I personally used and enjoyed in the '70's and '80's (I bought mostly Stanton and Pickering models, plus a few AT variants from Linn) that has remained in production or for which original styli are still being produced. My current favorite is Shure's M97xE, which I think was introduced around 1996.
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
This one is a real sleeper and keeper. needlestein - thanks for turning me on to this one...
Freddymac2
Super Member
This is a Great thread, but I would have liked to know if any still are using them today as a daily driver like I do?
Koetsu Rosewood Long Body from 1982. (primary table)
Micro Acoustic 2000e
Shure V15 II
Dynavector 23R
ADC XLM II improved (secondary table)
Koetsu Rosewood Long Body from 1982. (primary table)
Micro Acoustic 2000e
Shure V15 II
Dynavector 23R
ADC XLM II improved (secondary table)
I am still using all of the ones I have listed, didn't bother listing the more exotic ones that have moved on from my collection or the many others that I still have but don't use in a regular rotation.
Freddymac2
Super Member
Try to select the one cart that you prefer to use across all types of your favorite music!
danj
modern primitive
The hard part is deciding what to leave off the list of top 5. My list includes no Pickering/Stanton, Ortofons, or AT family cartridges, of which there are many from each label that deserves inclusion.
Grace F9
Grace F8
Shure V15 III
Shure M91ED
Dynavector Karet
Grace F9
Grace F8
Shure V15 III
Shure M91ED
Dynavector Karet
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ateal
Super Member
I am a vintage cartridge fan and I feel very very fortunate to have these three classic and rare moving coils from the 70's and 80's.
1970's - Fidelity Research FR1 MK3 F - Absolutely amazing lush sound that never gets fatiguing but yet picks out all the detail with incredible timbre. Vocals and string instruments are particularly lifelike.
1980's - Shinon Boron Red - Builds on the qualities of the FR1 by adding more punch and super deep but solid bass. Amazing with trumpet and drums.
1980's - Monster Cable Alpha Genesis 1000 MK2 - This is a very recent addition and builds on the Shinon but widens the soundstage, and is slightly faster and more dynamic than the Shinon. Loses some of the bass slam of the Shinon but creates a 3D soundscape that is intoxicating.
Next on my radar will be Koetsu Signature Red if I find at the right price. I also have a brand new AT OC9 MKIII which is also very very good and in someway takes a little from all of the above, however it is not currently in rotation.
1970's - Fidelity Research FR1 MK3 F - Absolutely amazing lush sound that never gets fatiguing but yet picks out all the detail with incredible timbre. Vocals and string instruments are particularly lifelike.
1980's - Shinon Boron Red - Builds on the qualities of the FR1 by adding more punch and super deep but solid bass. Amazing with trumpet and drums.
1980's - Monster Cable Alpha Genesis 1000 MK2 - This is a very recent addition and builds on the Shinon but widens the soundstage, and is slightly faster and more dynamic than the Shinon. Loses some of the bass slam of the Shinon but creates a 3D soundscape that is intoxicating.
Next on my radar will be Koetsu Signature Red if I find at the right price. I also have a brand new AT OC9 MKIII which is also very very good and in someway takes a little from all of the above, however it is not currently in rotation.