Newbie.

[Tisinthepark]

Hi all,I've just bought my new set up this wkend and already thinking of upgrades on the Project essential 3 cartridge I've read about the ortofon red and blue is there really that much difference as the blues nearly dbl the price is it worth it.

Any more recommend upgrades would be great

Thanks all.

 

[chebby]

If you do upgrade from Ortofon red to blue then just buy the blue stylus replacement and stick it in the 'red' cartridge body. You can keep the red stylus as a 'spare'.

That's what I did all those years ago (around 2008) ...

(Note red body and blue stylus on my circa 2008 Rega P2/RB250.)

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Believe the hype..better carts make a difference and the 2m blue is a fine cartridge upgrade from the lower ortofon offerings.

 

[Tisinthepark]

Hi Chebby I've only got the standard one that came fitted with the turntable om10, I was just wondering if the difference between the upgrading to the blue was worth the extra money or do I just go for the red

 

[Al ears]

Hi Chebby I've only got the standard one that came fitted with the turntable om10, I was just wondering if the difference between the upgrading to the blue was worth the extra money or do I just go for the red

If it came fitted with the OM10 then the Red isn't going to be much of an upgrade. Save your pennies and go for something else, and by that I don't necessarily mean the Blue.

 

[camcroft]

The op has a OM10 and the 2M stylus red or blue would not work with it anyway different cartridge altogether. I have the 2M red and I sent an email to a reputable dealer who is well known on this forum and he told me in all honesty that the upgrade from red to blue stylus would be a very subtle difference it put me off the idea a bit given the price of the stylus.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

I went from om10 to 2m blue and the difference was night and day,best sound per pound upgrade I've ever made.Although it will depend on whether the rest of the op's system is able to resolve the extra performance from the upgraded cart whatever it may be.I already had good amplification and speakers in place to absorb the upgrade.

 

[chris_bates1974]

Hi, I upgraded from OM5 to the 2M Red on a Project Debut. It was well worth the upgrade. Recently upgraded the TT to a Rega Planar 3 with a Rega Fono MkII phone stage and kept the cartridge and I have to say it sounds absolutely sublime.....

The Red does tend to get some bad press in these parts, but if you've not got a fortune to spend, it's cracking value.... in my opinion.

 

[camcroft]

I also use the red with the Rega phono stage. I tried my Marantz phono stage today and there is a big difference in favour of the Rega

 

[Tisinthepark]

I'll save up and I think I'll try the blue. Thanks for the comments

 

[Tisinthepark]

Can we discuss it in this thread then bud?

£200 or there about to spend

 

[Al ears]

Can we discuss it in this thread then bud?

£200 or there about to spend

If you wish.

If you could stretch to £250 there are plenty more options. Not saying the Blue is a bad cartridge, it's a good step up from the Red, but it's the presentation that's not for me. Many people want to stick with Ortofon as it's what a lot of decks come fitted with in the first place. Everyone's hearing is different and many cartridges seem to perform better with different genres of music. A good all-rounder is advisable that tracks well.

Having said that I will list below alternatives that, in my opinion and it is only mine, offer better overall performance than the Blue.

Goldring G1012GX £250 or G1006 £180

Nagaoka MP150 £250

Grado Prestige Gold £219

And even the Audio Technica AT440mlb if you can still find one, and they are only £129.

 

[Tisinthepark]

Thanks Al I will have a look at these.

I take it my balance will be out?easy fix?will these fit onto my project arm?

this is my first set up as I was listening to my vinyl on my old 1968 hacker all in one system so this is all new to me,I did notice a good difference once I played them on the new set up should I have maybe spent more on the turntable with a better stylus etc as this upgrades costing More than I paid for the turntable? Or do they all come with pretty standard stylus?

also where's good to buy upgrades I've just been looking on eBay..

thanks again

 

[Al ears]

Thanks Al I will have a look at these.

I take it my balance will be out?easy fix?will these fit onto my project arm?

this is my first set up as I was listening to my vinyl on my old 1968 hacker all in one system so this is all new to me,I did notice a good difference once I played them on the new set up should I have maybe spent more on the turntable with a better stylus etc as this upgrades costing More than I paid for the turntable? Or do they all come with pretty standard stylus?

also where's good to buy upgrades I've just been looking on eBay..

thanks again

Cartridges, in general, unless they are the push-fit type have a standard fitting. Most will suit any tonearm you might have including the ones I have mentioned.

If you have never fitted a cartridge before then my advice is to visit a dealer.

A cheap set of scales for cartridge setup is always handy if you're likely to make more changes, to check downforce.

 

[brownz]

Wise words.... cartridge scales are a godsend.

Not advertising but there's a good little primer here on adjusting Pro-Ject Toneams and setting up carts which has some useful infomation in it - http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/assets/_managed/cms/files/WebsiteTurntableSupportPDF.pdf

Just be careful on removing the inner tonearm wire plugs from the cartridge pins. It's very easy to break a wire or pull a pin from the cart if using small pliers. I tend to only use finger nails on the part of the plug that is the solder tag. If you squeeze the split part of the plug with pliers then you risk pulling the cartridge pin out. If you go further back then you risk pulling the wire. It comes with experience !

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Wise words.... cartridge scales are a godsend.

Not advertising but there's a good little primer here on adjusting Pro-Ject Toneams and setting up carts which has some useful infomation in it - http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/assets/_managed/cms/files/WebsiteTurntableSupportPDF.pdf

Just be careful on removing the inner tonearm wire plugs from the cartridge pins. It's very easy to break a wire or pull a pin from the cart if using small pliers. I tend to only use finger nails on the part of the plug that is the solder tag. If you squeeze the split part of the plug with pliers then you risk pulling the cartridge pin out. If you go further back then you risk pulling the wire. It comes with experience !

Same difference but my preferred method is jewellers screwdriver to ease the plugs off the pins and tweezers to re-install. Good light source, decent eyesight, patience, and a steady hand are of utmost importance.

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Thanks Al I will have a look at these.

I take it my balance will be out?easy fix?will these fit onto my project arm?

this is my first set up as I was listening to my vinyl on my old 1968 hacker all in one system so this is all new to me,I did notice a good difference once I played them on the new set up should I have maybe spent more on the turntable with a better stylus etc as this upgrades costing More than I paid for the turntable? Or do they all come with pretty standard stylus?

also where's good to buy upgrades I've just been looking on eBay..

thanks again

Tisinthepark, are you anywhere near Essex as I'm always up for lending assistance for cart set-up if required.

 

[Tisinthepark]

Thanks pal but I'm all the way up in dundee Scotland.