Question Cartridge update for Technics SL 1500. Microlinear vs eliptical

[FBech]

Hello, I am getting a cartridge upgrade for Technics SL 1500.

-Ortofon Blue or Ortofon Bronce.

- AT-VM95ML or VM740ML.


I suppose the Bronce and the VM740ML are going to sound better than the Blue and the 95 ML because of Price. Besides that, muy doubts are:

-Are the microlinear going to take better care of vinyl records than the eliptical stylus?

-Are the ATs a good match for the SL 1500? In regards to capacitance, adjustability etc.

 

[daytona600]

New Concorde Music designed for Technics
You can upgrade the Styli if required in the future

 

[Al ears]

Hello, I am getting a cartridge upgrade for Technics SL 1500.

-Ortofon Blue or Ortofon Bronce.

- AT-VM95ML or VM740ML.


I suppose the Bronce and the VM740ML are going to sound better than the Blue and the 95 ML because of Price. Besides that, muy doubts are:

-Are the microlinear going to take better care of vinyl records than the eliptical stylus?

-Are the ATs a good match for the SL 1500? In regards to capacitance, adjustability etc.

Don't know about taking better care of vinyl. Both can be damaging in a poorly set-up system.
Microlinear should certainly get more detail out of the grooves.
No reason the ATs should not be compatible with your turntable.

 

[nopiano]

I use an AT -V95ML on my similar SL-1210GR and think it’s a great match. Very good tracking, low groove noise, great clarity. I’ve not compared it to the 2M Bronze directly, but that would have been an alternative, albeit quite a bit costlier.

I hadn’t seen the new Concorde version. @daytona600 is very on the ball with cartridges!

 

[good_enough]

-Are the microlinear going to take better care of vinyl records than the eliptical stylus?

In general, all other things being equal, line contact spread the tracking weight over a larger area in the groove rather than everything on a point, so should cause less wear.

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

The key to your question being at the very bottom of that article:

"
In pure sonic terms on pristine vinyl a top notch elliptical can do as well as all but the very best Line Contact / Shibata styli, but will ultimately be surpassed by the better MicroLine styli.

However in terms of reduced wear on both stylus and records - the entry point is the Line contact / Shibata category.

In terms of playing back worn vinyl line contact stylus types also have an advantage in that they can contact "virgin" unworn vinyl.

"

 

[daytona600]

Stylus profiles , Bonded , Nude all you need to know

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqPfCD92ZvM&t=718s

 

[Entrigo]

Hello, I am getting a cartridge upgrade for Technics SL 1500.

-Ortofon Blue or Ortofon Bronce.

- AT-VM95ML or VM740ML.


I suppose the Bronce and the VM740ML are going to sound better than the Blue and the 95 ML because of Price. Besides that, muy doubts are:

-Are the microlinear going to take better care of vinyl records than the eliptical stylus?

-Are the ATs a good match for the SL 1500? In regards to capacitance, adjustability etc.

I swapped the factory fitted Ortofon Red with an AT-VM95ML which I already had on my AT-LP-5 turntable (after literally 3 minutes) and it was day and night. OK the red is the bottom of the line in the Ortofon range, but I like the sound of the AT much more - fuller and richer.

In terms of ML vs elliptical, I did notice a little improvement when I did make the change but more subtle than between the Ortofon Red and the AT.

I leave the question about groove wear to others. And I see there's some good info already.

 

[RoA]

I swapped the factory fitted Ortofon Red with an AT-VM95ML which I already had on my AT-LP-5 turntable (after literally 3 minutes) and it was day and night. OK the red is the bottom of the line in the Ortofon range, but I like the sound of the AT much more - fuller and richer.

In terms of ML vs elliptical, I did notice a little improvement when I did make the change but more subtle than between the Ortofon Red and the AT.

I leave the question about groove wear to others. And I see there's some good info already.

I am sure the AT VM95ML is a good cartridge but am I the only one that thinks AT's more base products just look plain ugly both in colour and shape? Ortofon's look sleek, as do Rega's cartridges, especially the latest ND range.

I know, superficial and shallow and it shouldn't matter but ...

Now, this is a lovely looking thing (imho)

 

[Entrigo]

I am sure the AT VM95ML is a good cartridge but am I the only one that thinks AT's more base products just look plain ugly both in colour and shape? Ortofon's look sleek, as do Rega's cartridges, especially the latest ND range.

I know, superficial and shallow and it shouldn't matter but ...

Now, this is a lovely looking thing (imho)

Hahah it shouldn't but it does. I am looking at a possible amp upgrade and I have discarded several amplifiers from the start purely on aesthetics.

And yes, AT have definitely cut corners in the design department!

P.s. that is a thing of beauty.

 

[Al ears]

Hahah it shouldn't but it does. I am looking at a possible amp upgrade and I have discarded several amplifiers from the start purely on aesthetics.

And yes, AT have definitely cut corners in the design department!

P.s. that is a thing of beauty.

And really awkward to set up looking at the shape of the thing....

 

[manicm]

First port of call would be to replace the Red with the Blue.

But also do take a look at this upgrade kit.

SL-1500C Upgrade Kit From Funk Firm

The SL-1500C is a good, solid turntable…but can you do better? Funk Firm thinks you can. Paul Rigby reviews its 1500C upgrade kit, the Kit 10

theaudiophileman.com

 

[RoA]

And really awkward to set up looking at the shape of the thing....

What's an hour of blood, sweat and tears if you can look at the thing afterwards.