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.

 

[manicm]

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


View attachment 7974View attachment 7975

I've read reviews of this cartidge system and it's not great. You're sacrificing a lot more sound quality for only a little convenience.

 

[manicm]

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)

You'd sacrifice sound quality for looks?

 

[daytona600]

I've read reviews of this cartidge system and it's not great.
Millions of technics are fitted with ortofons for 50years. Technics sold 3million SL1200s

Use a SL1200G + Ortofon Music Black LVB myself for several months
Reviewers with Golden Ears s are for guidance only always trust Your ears

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=03ggUm1kjuQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Ftheaudiostandard.net%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY

 

[Gray]

....am I the only one that thinks AT's more base products just look plain ugly both in colour and shape?

You could be.
Conventional maybe, but that works for me...as opposed to something that looks like a stray blob of molten metal 😉

 

[Al ears]

You could be.
Conventional maybe, but that works for me...as opposed to something that looks like a stray blob of molten metal 😉

And at £2800 it's an expensive blob of metal.....
Me, I would take a Koetsu Red T.

 

[daytona600]

Pity Koetsu are no more still enjoy my KRS

 

[Al ears]

Pity Koetsu are no more still enjoy my KRS

True.
A brilliant constructor of cartridges.
You can still buy them though.

 

[daytona600]

Koetsu cartridges may no longer be in production, their spirit and essence remain alive through our meticulous rebuilding service," . "Renowned for their craftsmanship, Koetsu cartridges have earned a hallowed place in the hearts of audio enthusiasts globally.

It’s with a very heavy heart, I sadly have to report that Koetsu is no more!, the simplified story is, that the family don’t want the business to continue outwith their hands, and don’t want to risk tarnishing the brands reputation and legacy by selling to an outside entity, which is honorable and admirable, in this day in age, too many originally family owned businesses have drifted from what was originally intended, take Gucci as an example, now a massive corporation with no family members involved, and dare I say long lost their original direction.
So please savour and cherish your Koetsu’s as they are now heirlooms from another era
.

 

[Audiophil6616]

I am using an Ortofon 2M Blue on my Technics SL-1210G and it sounds spectacular.