Cartridge recommendations

[Cricketbat70]

Yesterday I went to play a record on my late 80's (I think) rega only to find the stylus hanging down at a strange angle, I tried to push it back in. The current cartridge is a Goldring 900SE-2 which Google says was made in 1978, my turntable maybe older than I thought. I was given it 20+ years ago and it sat unused in need of repair until I finally took it into Wilkinson's Hifi in Nelson 4years ago. Can I just replace the stylus or is a new cartridge needed and what can you recommend that isn't going to cost a small fortune?

 

[camcroft]

Audio Technica VM-95E would do the trick and it can be upgraded just by changing the stylus in the future if your budget permits.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Cricketbat70]

Audio Technica VM-95E would do the trick and it can be upgraded just by changing the stylus in the future if your budget permits.

Amazon.co.uk

Thank you. I also found out today that the tone arm on my rega was discontinued in 1983. So my rega is definitely late 70’s not late 80’s early 90's as I've always thought. Now wondering whether to get my Dual turntable that I bought in 1992 repaired instead.

 

[Al ears]

Yep, if it's that old then I would replace the whole cartridge.
There are some made specifically for Rega arms.
Define "a small fortune" ?
What's your budget?

 

[Revolutions]

Looks cool with the shaped arm 😎

As above, the AT VM-95 is a great series to check out for not much money.

 

[Cricketbat70]

Yep, if it's that old then I would replace the whole cartridge.
There are some made specifically for Rega arms.
Define "a small fortune" ?
What's your budget?

The last time I bought a cartridge for my Dual in the early 2000’s I spent around £60 on an audio Technica. With 20+ years of inflation I know half decent cartridges are going to be £200+ but my budget is only around £100

 

[Al ears]

The last time I bought a cartridge for my Dual in the early 2000’s I spent around £60 on an audio Technica. With 20+ years of inflation I know half decent cartridges are going to be £200+ but my budget is only around £100

Ortofon 2MR Red??
The 'R' in MR is the important bit.

 

[daytona600]

Goldring DG900 are in high demand $250/350 these days with a NEW Jico stylus worth $400/600

Pardon our interruption...

Acos in japan made the Tonearm , Rega R200 $200/300 in good condition

 

[Cricketbat70]

Goldring DG900 are in high demand $250/350 these days with a NEW Jico stylus worth $400/600

Pardon our interruption...

Acos in japan made the Tonearm , Rega R200 $200/300 in good condition

Yeah I looked at the tone arms on eBay this morning. I also found when I searched them on the internet they have a bit of an issue with the anti skating, it's controlled by a toothed belt that deteriorate with age and there are no spare parts. Another issue that made me wonder whether I should just get my early 90's Dual repaired.

 

[Al ears]

Yeah I looked at the tone arms on eBay this morning. I also found when I searched them on the internet they have a bit of an issue with the anti skating, it's controlled by a toothed belt that deteriorate with age and there are no spare parts. Another issue that made me wonder whether I should just get my early 90's Dual repaired.

I'd repair both. Easy enough to fit a modern arm to the Rega then sell it as a going concern use money to repair the Dual.

 

[RoA]

Of those I have in the VM95 range the conical (cheapest) is the star. Don’t bother with the top two (ML and Shibata). Have not had the elipticals.. If you need better you probably should move up in the AT hirarchy.

Imho.

 

[Al ears]

Of those I have in the VM95 range the conical (cheapest) is the star. Don’t bother with the top two (ML and Shibata). Have not had the elipticals.. If you need better you probably should move up in the AT hirarchy.

Imho.

Neither will work ideally without shimming that tonearm.

 

[Gray]

Yeah I looked at the tone arms on eBay this morning. I also found when I searched them on the internet they have a bit of an issue with the anti skating, it's controlled by a toothed belt that deteriorate with age and there are no spare parts. Another issue that made me wonder whether I should just get my early 90's Dual repaired.

That looks very much like the RB-200 arm I used to have on my Thorens turntable.
I don't remember any ribbed belts on that 🤔 but it was a while ago now - and I can't say I remember how the ant-skate was done.
I've got the VM-95E. Can't say I noticed an improvement over the the AT version that it replaced - but theres a reason that one was a 30+ year old, best selling classic.
The VM sounds good for a sensible price.

 

[Al ears]

That looks very much like the RB-200 arm I used to have on my Thorens turntable.
I don't remember any ribbed belts on that 🤔 but it was a while ago now - and I can't say I remember how the ant-skate was done.
I've got the VM-95E. Can't say I noticed an improvement over the the AT version that it replaced - but theres a reason that one was a 30+ year old, best selling classic.
The VM sounds good for a sensible price.

As far as I was aware the anti skate was a spring.

 

[Integralista]

Yesterday I went to play a record on my late 80's (I think) rega only to find the stylus hanging down at a strange angle, I tried to push it back in. The current cartridge is a Goldring 900SE-2 which Google says was made in 1978, my turntable maybe older than I thought. I was given it 20+ years ago and it sat unused in need of repair until I finally took it into Wilkinson's Hifi in Nelson 4years ago. Can I just replace the stylus or is a new cartridge needed and what can you recommend that isn't going to cost a small fortune?View attachment 11006View attachment 11005

Hi, you got very nice and rare Rega Planar 3 with Rega RB200 tonarm. Yes it is old but when it works, it still sounds very good. This TT will be some 40-45 years old. I recommend to replace whole cartridge. Tip with Audio Technika is very good, similar like Goldring. My tip here will be Nagaoka MP 110. This is realy good cartridge for some 175 Eur. If price is too high, than also Rega Carbon cartridge is very good. Now they have new or upgraded stylus for this cartridge. There is good info on Rega web. And yes it is produced by Audio Technika for Rega. I recommend to replace old rubber belt with new one (Rega spare part) and clean and oil platter bearing. Bearing here is not complicated. If it was "never" cleaned, it is realy needed. Just use proper oil. 😉. Which is the second turntable you have at home? BR

 

[Cricketbat70]

Hi, you got very nice and rare Rega Planar 3 with Rega RB200 tonarm. Yes it is old but when it works, it still sounds very good. This TT will be some 40-45 years old. I recommend to replace whole cartridge. Tip with Audio Technika is very good, similar like Goldring. My tip here will be Nagaoka MP 110. This is realy good cartridge for some 175 Eur. If price is too high, than also Rega Carbon cartridge is very good. Now they have new or upgraded stylus for this cartridge. There is good info on Rega web. And yes it is produced by Audio Technika for Rega. I recommend to replace old rubber belt with new one (Rega spare part) and clean and oil platter bearing. Bearing here is not complicated. If it was "never" cleaned, it is realy needed. Just use proper oil. 😉. Which is the second turntable you have at home? BR

The drive belt, bearings were sorted when I had it repaired tone arm was rewired too. . I've played a lot of records on it since it was repaired. Just not played any for a few months, came to play my daughter's single and the stylus was just hanging straight down. Maybe it committed suicide knowing a Taylor Swift record was about to be played 🤣
My second turntable is a Dual CS505 MK3. The only one I actually bought the rega was given to me 10 years later.

 

[Cricketbat70]

As far as I was aware the anti skate was a spring.

Maybe duff information I found on Google this morning

 

[Integralista]

The drive belt, bearings were sorted when I had it repaired tone arm was rewired too. . I've played a lot of records on it since it was repaired. Just not played any for a few months, came to play my daughter's single and the stylus was just hanging straight down. Maybe it committed suicide knowing a Taylor Swift record was about to be played 🤣
My second turntable is a Dual CS505 MK3. The only one I actually bought the rega was given to me 10 years later.

My 4 year son (11 years ago) was cleaning my Benz Micro Glyder cartridge with carbon brush and yes, cartridge was cleaned well, just distructed in many pieces...😪. Dual CS 505mk3 is good looking semiautomatic turntable. I like wooden surrounding around frame of those machines. Rega will I think sound better with same cartridge. So you need just replace cartridge and again enjoy your LP collection.😆

 

[nopiano]

Maybe duff information I found on Google this morning

Iirc it’s the dial that is connected to whatever mech applies the antiskate that has a cogged belt that rots. But otherwise it’s an Acos arm that Rega fitted until they designed their own. It’s very old now but is likely easier to fix than a Dual.

The detachable headshell makes it relatively easy to fit a new cartridge. Or you can buy a AT ready fitted. Bear in mind anything and everything might be fragile now, but basically they’re still fairly rugged. (My Dual belt drive CS601 motor was almost seized after thirty years careful use).

 

[nopiano]

Maybe it committed suicide knowing a Taylor Swift record was about to be played.

More likely someone helpfully dusted the plinth without thinking!

 

[record_spot]

Of those I have in the VM95 range the conical (cheapest) is the star. Don’t bother with the top two (ML and Shibata). Have not had the elipticals.. If you need better you probably should move up in the AT hirarchy.

Imho.

Agree with the VM95C which is a real beauty of a cartridge for £35.

Have to disagree with the VM95ML assessment though - I thought it was a terrific cartridge for the money. Tracks like a winner with a real clarity to its sound, but not at the expense of the music in favour of forensic detail. For £150 it's a great entrant into microline cartridges. Your "don't bother" doesn't quite do the reader a service IMO.

I'm an AT fan however having had the AT-440MLa in the past, the VM95E (not massively keen on this one and feel the 95C is the better) and currently using the AT-VM540ML.

 

[Revolutions]

Having used the VM95ML it's a great cart. I hadn't compared it to the cheaper models - all I can say is that I didn't feel like I'd wasted my money on the upgrade it gave vs my old cart.

£150 is getting towards Rega ND3 price (£175). I'd seriously consider that as well. But that's virtually doubled your budget so probably not much help.

 

[Al ears]

My 4 year son (11 years ago) was cleaning my Benz Micro Glyder cartridge with carbon brush and yes, cartridge was cleaned well, just distructed in many pieces...😪. Dual CS 505mk3 is good looking semiautomatic turntable. I like wooden surrounding around frame of those machines. Rega will I think sound better with same cartridge. So you need just replace cartridge and again enjoy your LP collection.😆

I feel your pain. I too own a Benz Micro Glider SL that, fortunately, is still in one piece unlike my previous Zyx which I managed to destroy myself......

 

[Cricketbat70]

More likely someone helpfully dusted the plinth without thinking!

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Rachel insists she hasn't cleaned my turntable. Maybe the cartridge is that old it's just fallen apart.

 

[nopiano]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Rachel insists she hasn't cleaned my turntable. Maybe the cartridge is that old it's just fallen apart.

Well, after forty years I guess the yoke may have failed. Probably best to assume that for the sake of domestic harmony! 🤣😇

BTW there are some folks who have a fix for the antiskate on the Acos arm. I found this last night, for example.

https://bte-designs.weebly.com/rega-r200-rebuild.html