Decent MM Carts

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Lee S
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#1 Decent MM Carts

Post by Lee S »

What are folks opinions on MM carts as opposed to the usual suspect MC carts? I have acquired a nice old AT-12P arm with removeable headshells and I quite fancy trying a couple of MMs, but where to start?

I can alter the mass of the arm slightly by using headshells of different weight (6g to 16g), but are there any really nice MMs out there that would work well on this arm? Any with some nicely profiled stylii? Vintage or new.

Just curious to hear what folk are using.

Thanks,
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gninnam
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#2

Post by gninnam »

Always liked A&R P77's and found that they work well with a range of arms (currently have one in a Lenco L75 arm and also Linn Basic LVX+) :D
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Nick
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#3

Post by Nick »

Can you get styluses for P77's? I still have one about somewhere.
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#4

Post by Cressy Snr »

The Swiss Sontra 500EX is a smashing cartridge. It was built for Sontra by Excel
and was designed for matrix quadrophonic records. It has a very high quality
stylus and only costs 33 quid from Mantra audio.

IMHO it is an absolute bargain.

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Lee S
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#5

Post by Lee S »

Cheers fellas. Interesting. I am considering getting a few MMs to try. I will deffo give the Sontra a whirl Steve if you think they are good. Will also keep an eye open for A&R on the Bay.

I am not really a MM afficionado (as you can tell), but have tried a couple of Goldrings and Grados. That's about it though.

What about the usual suspects, such as the Stanton/Pickerings, Ortofons, Empires, Shures and ATs? Are there any nice "sleepers" in that range or anything else that can be picked up cheaply for tinkering with that anyone recommends? Disco carts maybe?

Cheers,
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Bizzie
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#6

Post by Bizzie »

I'm really impressed with the Shure V15III with a Jico SAS slylus fitted it definetely takes it up a few levels and you would get your money back on the body if you don't like it.
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pre65
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#7

Post by pre65 »

I have a V15 VST body (thanks to Adrian) and it seems Jico might now do a stylus for it.

Just need to save up ! :lol:
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floppybootstomp
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#8

Post by floppybootstomp »

Interesting.

I'm attracted to the Sontra 500EX SteveTheShadow mentioned.

Especially at 33 quid.

Now to find a supplier...

I can remember at one time changing from a Shure 75ED to an A & R P77 and being quite pleasantly startled by the difference.
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floppybootstomp
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#9

Post by floppybootstomp »

Here we go:Link for the Sontra

I don't know what the supplier's like but they look to have been established some time and have a phone number. Based in Selby.
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Bizzie
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#10

Post by Bizzie »

Mantra have been around as long as I can remember and are great to deal with.
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cressy
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#11

Post by cressy »

hi guys, i'll be needing an mm cart shortly as the jbe slate dd has been restored and phils sonus formula 4 is on it. i was going to put the sl15 on it but given the low mass arm i need something with high ish compliance. ive been looking at the ortofon 2m red, these recent goldrings (2100) but ive never liked goldrings very much, and a clearaudio aurum classic thats about 170 quid. im not fussed about the pickerings mp11s et al or anything second hand. ive had a look at the above suggestions but nothing really jumps out.

budget is up to about 170 quid so any opinions would be appreciated. the turntable is a beauty so id like something to do it justice.

cheers ant
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floppybootstomp
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#12

Post by floppybootstomp »

The Denon DL110 MM cartridge has just been recommended to me by Neal and I've read good reviews so it may be worth considering.

I will very likely get one soon.

They're about £125.00
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#13

Post by Neal »

It's a high output MC FB ;) but requires a MM phono input....
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floppybootstomp
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#14

Post by floppybootstomp »

Neal wrote:It's a high output MC FB ;) but requires a MM phono input....
Really?

Then I have totally misunderstood things here and feel somewhat foolish.

What a strange setup.

Still rather fancy one though.
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colin.hepburn
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#15

Post by colin.hepburn »

I am using A goldring 1042 in my modded Rega RB250 sounding superb but needs to burn-in to be at its best and now at £240ish its too expensive now perhaps one of the new Golding's maybe better or the Ortofon M2 Blue £154 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page ... ategory/47
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