Christmas cartridge change for the better

[rayolight]

Decided to change the cartridge in my old Michell Reference Hydraulic turntable over Christmas,after reading some old posts on the AT VM540ML, I've had an Ortofon 540mk2 installed for over a year and decided to install my Audio Technica VM540ML which has sat in a draw for quite a while not that I didn't like it but just preferred the separation and sound stage of the Ortofon. However this time it was going through a newly purchased Vincent PHO 701 hybrid phono preamp and a Vincent hybrid SV-237MK amp,speakers were kef ls50 meta. First play was a real shock,the detail,spaciousness,reality of sounding like the performers were in the room was amazing,tried several different styles of music and all were excellent. It is now my go to player.I also have a Clearaudio Concept turntable fitted with Ortofon 2m Black, but have to say that to my ears( and they are 74 years old) the ML540 definitely has the edge. My point for the post is that if you change any parts of your system it's always worth pulling those sometimes forgotten cartridges out of the draw,you may be pleasantly surprised

 

[Al ears]

Good to hear.
Your Michelle turntable is a new one on me...

 

[rayolight]

Good to hear.
Your Michelle turntable is a new one on me...

Surely not Al

 

[Al ears]

Surely not Al

you spelt it incorrectly is what I meant, sorry my sense of humour is rotten

 

[rayolight]

you spelt it incorrectly is what I meant, sorry my sense of humour is rotten

Yes sorry my phone seems to decide how it should be spelt,your humour is fine😄

 

[rayolight]

Yes sorry my phone seems to decide how it should be spelt,your humour is fine😄

Now corrected 😁

 

[Al ears]

Now corrected 😁

Corrected?
Now you've spoilt this thread
I am glad the Audio Technica finally sprung to life. They are very good cartridges for the money.

 

[nopiano]

Reminds me I have a AT95ML here that I bagged with a silly 20% offer a couple of months ago. ( Must stop looking at Technics turntables, as I’ve owned several belt drives but never a direct drive. )

 

[TrevC]

decided to install my Audio Technica VM540ML which has sat in a draw

Not in a drawer?
Seriously, those AT ML carts are awesome.!

 

[rayolight]

Not in a drawer?
Seriously, those AT ML carts are awesome.!

Yes,I feel guilty about it, think it must be the valves in the phono preamp and amp that make it sound sooo good. I like to do a bit of valve rolling and the current setup seems to work wonders. I think it fair to say that the cartridge can sound a bit harsh in a solid state amp ,but in the hybrid it sounds awesome 👌

 

[Al ears]

If it sounds hars

Yes,I feel guilty about it, think it must be the valves in the phono preamp and amp that make it sound sooo good. I like to do a bit of valve rolling and the current setup seems to work wonders. I think it fair to say that the cartridge can sound a bit harsh in a solid state amp ,but in the hybrid it sounds awesome 👌

If it sounds harsh in any system it's not necessarily the fault of solid state or otherwise, it's just the wrong cartridge.

 

[rayolight]

If it sounds hars
If it sounds harsh in any system it's not necessarily the fault of solid state or otherwise, it's just the wrong cartridge.

Fair comment, it also says that every system will sound different, which makes buying on other people's recommendations potentially dangerous

 

[camcroft]

Not in a drawer?
Seriously, those AT ML carts are awesome.!

Better with the RigB conversion and no affiliation to them.

 

[Al ears]

Better with the RigB conversion and no affiliation to them.

if it needs that it's the wrong choice....

 

[camcroft]

if it needs that it's the wrong choice....

Have you heard one. Surely sounds like Snake oil but I have had the time to be convinced.

 

[Al ears]

Have you heard one. Surely sounds like Snake oil but I have had the time to be convinced.

no but have no idea of the cost or why anyone would want to convert one unless profit is the main driver

 

[camcroft]

no but have no idea of the cost or why anyone would want to convert one unless profit is the main driver

Why do people map there cars? Tell me please

 

[Al ears]

Why do people map there cars? Tell me please

don't know, is it relevant?

 

[camcroft]

Similar. Why do they do it.I am sure some readers are guilty of doing it.The mapping I mean.Dip yer toes Flat earth .. Round earth