I’m upgrading my system bit by bit. RB300 tonearm’s just been tweaked by Origin Live - the full English: structural / internal and external rewiring. TT is Pink Triangle LPT. Moth 30 phono stage. (Which may get upgraded at some point, a conversation for another time.)
The next logical step (according to some on this forum) is to upgrade the cartridge.
I asked Musonic to recommend upgrades based on a budget of £300 - 400 and considering my system. They suggest either a Nagaoka MP200 or an Audio Technica AT-OC9ML/ll.
My vinyl collection is eclectic and goes back 50 years. Some vinyl I buy new, some I buy secondhand from record fairs, charity shops and used record shops. I clean them with my Knosti Disco Antistat.
These days I tend to play more jazz, classical, psych folk and laid-back stuff. But the Stooges and Ramones still get given a blast when the mood takes.
Reviews of the Nagaoka say the sound is warm, very musical and best suited to jazz and classical. And that the cartridge scores well on low surface noise (an important factor when vinyl is secondhand). But will it be too laid back for rock?
The AT is described as incredible sound quality for the money and that it will take my listening experience up to another level. But will all that extra detail also show up the flaws in records?
Nagaoka seems the safer bet, and I’m used to the Nagaoka sound, currently have a TS11. But I’m an MC virgin, not sure what to expect. Any thoughts / suggestions / wisdom please?
The next logical step (according to some on this forum) is to upgrade the cartridge.
I asked Musonic to recommend upgrades based on a budget of £300 - 400 and considering my system. They suggest either a Nagaoka MP200 or an Audio Technica AT-OC9ML/ll.
My vinyl collection is eclectic and goes back 50 years. Some vinyl I buy new, some I buy secondhand from record fairs, charity shops and used record shops. I clean them with my Knosti Disco Antistat.
These days I tend to play more jazz, classical, psych folk and laid-back stuff. But the Stooges and Ramones still get given a blast when the mood takes.
Reviews of the Nagaoka say the sound is warm, very musical and best suited to jazz and classical. And that the cartridge scores well on low surface noise (an important factor when vinyl is secondhand). But will it be too laid back for rock?
The AT is described as incredible sound quality for the money and that it will take my listening experience up to another level. But will all that extra detail also show up the flaws in records?
Nagaoka seems the safer bet, and I’m used to the Nagaoka sound, currently have a TS11. But I’m an MC virgin, not sure what to expect. Any thoughts / suggestions / wisdom please?