Probably my next upgrade

[WayneKerr]

What cartridge do you have on the Marantz?

Nag MP500. The MP300 was also good too.

 

[plastic penguin]

Nag MP500. The MP300 was also good too.

So they are better than the Clearaudio Virtuoso?

 

[WayneKerr]

So they are better than the Clearaudio Virtuoso?

No idea, I never fitted it. Really like Nag sound and cartridges are such a pita to change.

 

[plastic penguin]

No idea, I never fitted it. Really like Nag sound and cartridges are such a pita to change.

Nags always seem to have a good reputation both with owners and mag reviews.

 

[nopiano]

Nags always seem to have a good reputation both with owners and mag reviews.

There’s a good thread here about them…

New Nagaoka cartridges on the way....

Forthcoming cartridges look interesting...... https://stereo-magazine.com/article/nagaoka-unveils-new-pickup-series-jt-80

forums.whathifi.com

 

[Al ears]

So they are better than the Clearaudio Virtuoso?

the Virtuoso would be a pain to fit and to use due to it's shape for me anyway

 

[plastic penguin]

the Virtuoso would be a pain to fit and to use due to it's shape for me anyway

All these Marantz TT15 I've seen advertised recently are fitted with a Virtuoso cart.

 

[bigfish786]

So they are better than the Clearaudio Virtuoso?

in my experience, yes, the Nagaoka carts were better than the Virtuoso.
since i've swapped out the stylus for a Shibata on the Virtuoso its a much better cart and now betters the MP110 but i still think the TS12 is a bit better performance wise. but its close, and could be purely down to preference.

 

[Al ears]

All these Marantz TT15 I've seen advertised recently are fitted with a Virtuoso cart.

All these Marantz TT15 I've seen advertised recently are fitted with a Virtuoso cart.

Really? That's an expensive cartridge, at least it is if I am looking at the right one. Any links?
It's not an easy one to fit if needing to is what I meant.
Ignore that..... Its the V2 wood I was looking at.... Silly me, of course they aren't going to fit a £900 cartridge.

 

[plastic penguin]

Really? That's an expensive cartridge, at least it is if I am looking at the right one. Any links?
It's not an easy one to fit if needing to is what I meant.
Ignore that..... Its the V2 wood I was looking at.... Silly me, of course they aren't going to fit a £900 cartridge.

Well, it's described as a Marantz Virtuoso MM cartridge, but as the table is based on the Clearaudio Emotion and this Virtuoso cart I guess is a renamed Clearaudio.

 

[plastic penguin]

No idea, I never fitted it. Really like Nag sound and cartridges are such a pita to change.

Your table didn't come with a fitted cartridge?

 

[Al ears]

Well, it's described as a Marantz Virtuoso MM cartridge, but as the table is based on the Clearaudio Emotion and this Virtuoso cart I guess is a renamed Clearaudio.

It is and presumably it is better than the usual Ortofon offerings but then I have never heard one or auditioned this deck.
It is always best if you can find a dealer that will ditch the standard cartridge and fit one you actually want.

 

[plastic penguin]

It is and presumably it is better than the usual Ortofon offerings but then I have never heard one or auditioned this deck.
It is always best if you can find a dealer that will ditch the standard cartridge and fit one you actually want.

Certainly wouldn't want another Clearaudio cart. Had a couple now and something like a Goldring 1042 or perhaps a similar priced Nag or Ortofon Bronze appeal more.

That deck does look nice.

 

[WayneKerr]

Your table didn't come with a fitted cartridge?

It's in the box with the turntable you just follow the instructions and fit it yourself. It's not a plug and play turntable, there is a certain amount of assembly required. It's during assembly you appreciate the elegant simplicity and excellent build quality of it.

The actual cartridge is a Marantz Virtuoso Ebony and is definitely a re-badged Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge. The only reason I didn't fit it was because I already had the Nagaoka cart.