Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

displayname said:
Since the search function hates three letter words, I'll toss this question in here: Does anyone have experience with the Dynavactor xx-2? Any of the variants are of interest. xx-2, xx-2 mkii, xx-2a
Click to expand...
I’ve always found it funny, because it says it ain’t searching for that shit but then does it anyhow:
IMG_6047.png
 
displayname said:
LP60... honestly it's probably fine. I'd imagine these only exist for people having accidents with the stylus. If someone actually ran through a diamond on one of those, I'd imagine most of the other parts of the unit are already beyond repair.
Click to expand...
I mean a stylus still wears out and should be replaced. The lp60 has its problems but my daughter is still using mine ten years later.

@Hemotep lpgear actually sold one that would be an upgrade. Let me see if I can find it for you.
 
displayname said:
This is amazing. I would have assumed all the automated lift parts and belt would be totally shot after like 3 years.
Click to expand...
It still works fine for her. 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think she stresses it like we stress our equipment though. I gave her a new stylus when I gave it to her, no idea if she has replaced it but she knows she should at ~500 hours or so if I recall correctly.
 
Nee Lewman said:
I mean a stylus still wears out and should be replaced. The lp60 has its problems but my daughter is still using mine ten years later.

@Hemotep lpgear actually sold one that would be an upgrade. Let me see if I can find it for you.
Click to expand...
My LP60 has been in a box for years, but that lpgear stylus for it is better than the AT version. No one could tell if this guy's post was joking or serious. I felt kinda bad if they were taking the piss and it was a serious question. That's why I put it here so that we could laugh at it without his knowledge. Because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I'm not a good enough person to not find this a little funny.
 
Hemotep said:
My LP60 has been in a box for years, but that lpgear stylus for it is better than the AT version. No one could tell if this guy's post was joking or serious. I felt kinda bad if they were taking the piss and it was a serious question. That's why I put it here so that we could laugh at it without his knowledge. Because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I'm not a good enough person to not find this a little funny.
Click to expand...
I didn’t realize it was a screen shot and thought you were in a @Mather type “I know a guy who hates Google” situation.
 
Angsty said:
I pulled the trigger on getting an older 10x5 that needs re-tipping. Will ship to VAS to put a line contact stylus on it.

I have not used a HOMC before and I've been curious about this one on the Traveler since I purchased the table. My Hana SL is getting long in the tooth, so this one will move ahead in the re-tipping line.
Click to expand...
@Mnpctech - I saw you posted a photo in the "What's Spinning" thread with a VPI Scout and a Dynavector 10x5. Is this your table? If so, how do you like the 10x5? I just got mine to re-tip last week, so I'm trying to determine how soon I'll pull the trigger.
 
For anyone interested, I've got the original VPI/Grado Green collab cart back on the Cliffwood, stepped up to an MCZ stylus this time, and now that we're past break-in, I can confidently say it's the best the table has sounded. Keep it simple. This cart was designed for this deck. The MCZ IMO is well worth the extra bucks over the 8MZ, which is fantastic in its own right. Channel balance is the best it's ever been with such a limited arm, sound is very controlled while being engaging and exciting. All those adjectives you love - detail, separation, etc etc. Think I'm done messing around with this setup!

Next up - when the VM95ML goes on the StudioDeck, will toss the Grado Platinum on there to see what it yields in MoFi land.
 
ok...here we go.....i am not sure i see anyone talking much about head shell to cartridge cables.

I have a few head shells, mostly AT...actually they may all be though might have an old Ortofon around. Actually bought a nice AT silver head shell to put my VM760SLC on but in the long run there seemed to be a hum in the right channel but it seemingly went away when i switched the cartridge to the head shell that came with my SL100C. Assuming a head shell can be bad? I also noticed the cables on the technics head shell were (i would bet) almost 50% thicker....the AT's are teeny tiny thin.

Now i have a VMN40ML that i bought from them already on their head shell that works fine...was my first upgrade, though i find it to be a bit too bright with the new table and the Hegel 190V phono stage. Was sweet with the old AT table and Marantz

So....two questions.
1 - can a head shell actually improve the performance of a cartridge?...and is it or can it be cartridge specific?
2 - upgrading cables.... the cables from cartridge to head shell?....i just recently looked as saw they are available...has anyone done it?....and what did you use?.....and the results?

.....ok, that ultimately is really more than two questions....oh well...one more?

any recommendations for perfect matching cartridge...one that will excel on the technics table.
of note, overall i really like the VM760SLC but i find i like to play with them all a bit and always on the look out for an open box on something.

oh...i do have a Cambridge phono stage that is not in use right now, so could do use that for a MC if i ever pick one up.
 
Last edited:
Lek said:
ok...here we go.....i am not sure i see anyone talking much about head shell to cartridge cables.

I have a few head shells, mostly AT...actually they may all be though might have an old Ortofon around. Actually bought a nice AT silver head shell to put my VMN60SLC on but in the long run there seemed to be a hum in the right channel but it seemingly went away when i switched the cartridge to the head shell that came with my SL100C. Assuming a head shell can be bad? I also noticed the cables on the technics head shell were (i would bet) almost 50% thicker....the AT's are teeny tiny thin.

Now i have a VMN40ML that i bought from them already on their head shell that works fine...was my first upgrade, though i find it to be a bit too bright with the new table and the Hegel 190V phono stage. Was sweet with the old AT table and Marantz

So....two questions.
1 - can a head shell actually improve the performance of a cartridge?...and is it or can it be cartridge specific?
2 - upgrading cables.... the cables from cartridge to head shell?....i just recently looked as saw they are available...has anyone done it?....and what did you use?.....and the results?

.....ok, that ultimately is really more than two questions....oh well...one more?

any recommendations for perfect matching cartridge...one that will excel on the technics table.
of note, overall i really like the VMN60SLC but i find i like to play with them all a bit and always on the look out for an open box on something.

oh...i do have a Cambridge phono stage that is not in use right now, so could do use that for a MC if i ever pick one up.
Click to expand...

If you really want to go down a wormhole for the VM series and removable head shells, check out RigB. @HiFi Guy received them on here a few years ago if you do a bit of digging.

They did a few modded versions of that cartridge, one of which is designed to attach directly to an SME tonearm mount so no external wires at all.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
Lek said:
ok...here we go.....i am not sure i see anyone talking much about head shell to cartridge cables.

I have a few head shells, mostly AT...actually they may all be though might have an old Ortofon around. Actually bought a nice AT silver head shell to put my VMN60SLC on but in the long run there seemed to be a hum in the right channel but it seemingly went away when i switched the cartridge to the head shell that came with my SL100C. Assuming a head shell can be bad? I also noticed the cables on the technics head shell were (i would bet) almost 50% thicker....the AT's are teeny tiny thin.

Now i have a VMN40ML that i bought from them already on their head shell that works fine...was my first upgrade, though i find it to be a bit too bright with the new table and the Hegel 190V phono stage. Was sweet with the old AT table and Marantz

So....two questions.
1 - can a head shell actually improve the performance of a cartridge?...and is it or can it be cartridge specific?
2 - upgrading cables.... the cables from cartridge to head shell?....i just recently looked as saw they are available...has anyone done it?....and what did you use?.....and the results?

.....ok, that ultimately is really more than two questions....oh well...one more?

any recommendations for perfect matching cartridge...one that will excel on the technics table.
of note, overall i really like the VMN60SLC but i find i like to play with them all a bit and always on the look out for an open box on something.

oh...i do have a Cambridge phono stage that is not in use right now, so could do use that for a MC if i ever pick one up.
Click to expand...
Just regarding the headshell, you can change the weight and play with the effective mass and better align with your carts compliance with differing weight headshells. Also the material it is made from may impact the sound. As for the wiring, maybe a difference, but we are talking 1.5” of cable carrying an extremely tiny signal. But a change may make dressing them and/or swapping carts easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top