New cartidge

[Deleted member 108165]

Glad you found my write up useful, and pleased to see others recognise some of the descriptions.

When I read your post, my first thought was the Blue stylus. What was fascinating during the two hours or so of listening was each cartridge sounded pretty decent in its own right, until we heard the next one or two up in performance. Then what was missing previously really was highlighted. (Mind you they should sound decent in a system that probably retails for approaching £20k!)

A slightly different take would be the Denon DL110, a high output MC. Should be available for under £200 if you shop around. Lastly, completely different again, and nearer £100 is the Shure M97xe.

Loved your write-up Nopiano, very informative. Did they not demo the 2M Bronze and Black?

 

[grimharry]

Thanks for you advice from you all, and it looks like the mp200 is the way to go. I'll have to do a bit of saving.

 

[grimharry]

If you could let me have Ian Harrison's contact details I'd be very grateful. *good*

 

[Deleted member 108165]

The Shure mentioned is probably best value for money if you only want to spend £100 but you might consider this a downgrade knowing the price of the one you already have.

The Goldring is the best all rounder for £275 and the MP200 is best of the bunch but no longer the bargain it use to be.

If it was me, and I had the extra funds, it would be the Nagaoka

If you can get one cheaper from Japan then it certainly becomes the best all-rounder for the money that it used to be.

If you end up buying from the UK don't, until you have spoken to Ian Harrison (cheapest supplier here).

I will forward his contact details if you require them.

P.S.: He's got a nice Benz Micro Glider SL reserved for me at a price that is about 3/4 of best price I could find elsewhere. ;-)

Unfortunately, a quick scan of eBay reveals that the price of a Japanese sourced Nagaoka, after VAT has been added, no longer offers any saving over UK prices. This applies to cartridges only, styli are still worth importing as savings can still be made. As a note Nagaoka offer the cheapest styli replacements of any of the aformentioned brands.

This Ian Harrison guy sounds interesting Al, pray tell us more *biggrin*

 

[Al ears]

The Shure mentioned is probably best value for money if you only want to spend £100 but you might consider this a downgrade knowing the price of the one you already have.

The Goldring is the best all rounder for £275 and the MP200 is best of the bunch but no longer the bargain it use to be.

If it was me, and I had the extra funds, it would be the Nagaoka

If you can get one cheaper from Japan then it certainly becomes the best all-rounder for the money that it used to be.

If you end up buying from the UK don't, until you have spoken to Ian Harrison (cheapest supplier here).

I will forward his contact details if you require them.

P.S.: He's got a nice Benz Micro Glider SL reserved for me at a price that is about 3/4 of best price I could find elsewhere. ;-)

Unfortunately, a quick scan of eBay reveals that the price of a Japanese sourced Nagaoka, after VAT has been added, no longer offers any saving over UK prices. This applies to cartridges only, styli are still worth importing as savings can still be made. As a note Nagaoka offer the cheapest styli replacements of any of the aformentioned brands.

This Ian Harrison guy sounds interesting Al, pray tell us more *biggrin*

He is a well reknown dealer in all things cartridge related and a font of knowledge. His adverts are in the Classified section of all good hifi publications... ;-)

 

[Al ears]

If you could let me have Ian Harrison's contact details I'd be very grateful. *good*

He is in Dealer Directory or Classified Ads section of most good hifi publications, cheapest around by far.

He's based in Derby .. Tel: 01283 702875 or ian.harrison@mercian.myzen.co.uk

NOTE: he doesn't specifically list Nagaoka in his ads. but pretty sure he will be able to get hold of them.

 

[grimharry]

Thanks much appreciated.

 

[nopiano]

Glad you found my write up useful, and pleased to see others recognise some of the descriptions.

When I read your post, my first thought was the Blue stylus. What was fascinating during the two hours or so of listening was each cartridge sounded pretty decent in its own right, until we heard the next one or two up in performance. Then what was missing previously really was highlighted. (Mind you they should sound decent in a system that probably retails for approaching £20k!)

A slightly different take would be the Denon DL110, a high output MC. Should be available for under £200 if you shop around. Lastly, completely different again, and nearer £100 is the Shure M97xe.

Loved your write-up Nopiano, very informative. Did they not demo the 2M Bronze and Black?

No, there was only time for two from each range, so in the event the Bronze and Black version didn't arrive until later, i.e. with the MC models.

I'd have been intrigued by the 2M Bronze too, but I can imagine it's a pretty demanding dem, whatever you choose, with different weights, tracking force and output levels!

 

[nopiano]

So now I'm looking at nagaoka mp200, goldring 1042, demon dl110, and sure 97. The choice doesn't seem to be getting any easier. So if it was up to each of you which would you pick if it was your tt? Remember no come back just your own pick *diablo*

I'd probably pick the Goldring, because I already have a 1006, and though it has lain dormant for several years, I liked the overall balance. I also own a Shure 97xe and currently use a Grado. I seldom suggest the latter because, though I think they have a lovely midrange, some people seem to have hum problems, and they aren't very well damped.

With a Project TT, however I would be tempted by the Ortofon 2M Bronze because I think they're very decent sounding and obviously your arm is already aligned for one. It's the easiest and safest choice There is good product support, as with Goldring, whereas some of the others seem a bit intermittent in distribution, and Shure have almost given up with cartridges.

 

[grimharry]

So now I've whittled it up to 3 again nagoaka, grado and ortofon.

*dash1*

I wonder how the silver and bronze compare in brightness?

 

[Al ears]

So now I've whittled it up to 3 again nagoaka, grado and ortofon.

*dash1*

I wonder how the silver and bronze compare in brightness?

I have not heard the Silver so cannot say for sure, one would assume its less bright and more 'well rounded' however I'd still take the Nagaoka over it any day but that's purely personnal.

The Grado range is quite vast and I have only ever heard two so cannot really comment on those either.

If I had to shortlist any it would come down to Goldring 1042 or Nagaoka MP200 depending on how much I wanted to spend.

 

[grimharry]

I like personal opinions I'd rather hear what people would do off it was them.

 

[Al ears]

I like personal opinions I'd rather hear what people would do off it was them.

Think I have said enough so I will shut up now... ;-)

 

[grimharry]

Sorry for the typo. Don't want to upset anyone. *blush*

 

[nopiano]

I like personal opinions I'd rather hear what people would do off it was them.

Looks like we all approve of the Goldring. Are you ok with fitting and setting it up or do you need a dealer?

 

[grimharry]

Yes should be ok fitting it I can always get help from my beloveds little fingers if needs be. Al ears recommends the nagoaka as well have you any experience with the mp200? Not discounting the goldring though!

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Personal opinion... Nagaoka *biggrin*

But please bear in mind that I have not heard a Goldring. The 2M Bronze is a good cart, fine line stylus, it will still retain the Ortofon house sound but not as forward as the lower models as far as I can remember, hence why it remains my fave amonst the 2M carts, (NB. I do not own a Bronze anymore). I have never found any of the 2M Ortofons to be brilliant trackers, easily surpassed by the Nag range and blitzed by the AT range. The Nag MP200 is where you begin to get into boron cantlievers. Nags can be a bu**er to fit as they don't have captive nuts, but I fitted one with my banana fingers so it must be doable.

Where's thescarletpronster when you need him... he's got an MP200.

 

[nopiano]

Yes should be ok fitting it I can always get help from my beloveds little fingers if needs be. Al ears recommends the nagoaka as well have you any experience with the mp200? Not discounting the goldring though!

Not heard one for years I'm afraid. In the late 70s I used to fit budget Nagaoka cartridges to turntables as I worked part-time in a Hi-Fi shop. They were safe and sound but not very exciting. Very nicely made. However, that's not relevant now!

Interestingly the Bronze and the 1042 both have special profile styli, while the Nag majors on the cantilever. The lack of an obvious UK distributor would seem the major disadvantage. (But happy to be corrected on that, if I've missed something).

 

[grimharry]

Looks like I can take the ortofon out of the equation which gets me down to the mp200 or the goldring.

So definitely getting there yay

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Nagaoka can be purchased from a multitude of UK suppliers, it's the recent price hikes that are the sting in the tail.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yup, my cart is ClearAudio Concept V2 MM

http://www.bartlettshifi.com/product/concept-v2-mm-cartridge/

 

[plastic penguin]

Yup, my cart is ClearAudio Concept V2 MM

http://www.bartlettshifi.com/product/concept-v2-mm-cartridge/

ClearAudio works really well with Pro-ject. I had the Classic Wood version prior to that.

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Looks like I can take the ortofon out of the equation which gets me down to the mp200 or the goldring.

So definitely getting there yay

Decisions, decisions. I do not envy you....*scratch_one-s_head* *crazy*

 

[grimharry]

Oh no not back to 3 again.

 

[plastic penguin]

Have to also say I'm a big fan of Goldring carts. However, given it's a relatively budget turnatable, I would draw the line at about £250. Every component has its limits...

I'm not keen on affordable Ortofon carts: They sound too mechanical. So my short-list would be:

ClearAudio

Goldring

Nagos.