Cartidge Advice Please

[DB]

Hi all,

Just decided to treat myself to a new (second) turntable and after much debate have settled on Michell's Odyssey which comes complete with their Technoarm.

I'm now looking for a cartridge to suit this and my AVI integrated (with phono stage) and AVI Trios.

I'm after an m/c and really don't want to go beyond about 350 quid at present, less would be welcome, so anybody any thoughts on which carts I should be shortlisting?

Cheers

Dave

[griffo104]

With that combo I'd look at the Ortofon Rondo Red. I think it's just under £350 (£300 I think). Very good carts and I seriously condsidered the Blue version before settling on the dorian.

Last year the Michell Odyssey/Technoarm combo was reviewed with the RondoBlue by Dave Price in Hifi World - admittedly he like Michell and Ortofon - but he was very impressed with this combo. I think the stlyus profile is the main difference between the two - the Blue is £100 more.

Other than that I used a Goldring Elite (£250) on my Orbe/technoarm combo before the Dorian and thoroughly enjoyed it.

All my carts are run into a Trichord Dino+ and I'm not familiar with the AVI amps but I'm sure these would match quite well.

[DB]

Thanks Griffo,

very quick response and from outside my home town too!

I'm glad to have you suggest the Ortofons, I run a Kontrapunkt H in my current PT/SME set up and love it but frankly can't stretch to another one right now so I'm pleased to hear the lower cost Ortofon's get a positive verdict.

Do you happen to recall which edition of HFW had the Odyssey review ?

Cheers



Dave

[griffo104]

Not sure exactly but it was about July/August (ish) last year. I have the edition at home somewhere - I'll check over the weekend see if I still have it and report back on Monday (no internet at home). Just checked their web page no mention of back issues

By all accounts the Odyssey is a super TT and Technoarm a great match - and I'm not just saying that cos I use one on my Orbe. Looks pretty damn gorgeous as well .

[DB]

Thanks again Griffo,

I was torn between the Odyssey and an Orbe SE and I have to admit that the looks did play a part in my final decision - it is gorgeous! I suspect I'll end up buying the Orbe platter upgrade at some point though:nerd:

[griffo104]

What and lose those lovely Nickel plated weights ??????

[DB]

MMMMMM hadn't thought about that ! OK thanks you just saved me some money

Cheers



Dave

[Papa Lazarou]

I have a contact in Canada who can provide Ortofon Kontrapunkts at excellent prices if you're interested? He also sells Rohmanns, Jubilees etc.

I paid £360 inc shipping last year (no import tax - value marked at $15) for a Kontrapunkt B. That was a £390 saving on UK price

[DB]

Hi Papa,

That is very interesting indeed, admittedly slightly above the ceiling I'd set myself but if I was able to get a "B" at 360 I'd be sorely tempted to wait for one more payday and then go for it. Please do pass on the contact details.


bearddavid@yahoo.com if you prefer not to post the details here.


Thanks

Dave

p.s. wile very grateful for such a contact and happy to provide a return favour whenever possibleI'm really not prepared to go along with "Daave you're my wife now!"

[Papa Lazarou]

He will provide other models in the Ortofon range too, PM sent.

[DB]

Thanks Papa,

PM hasn't arrived yet but I'll keep my eyes open for it.

Cheers

Dave.

denon dl304 nothing under 500 quid comes near.



don't get any ortofon cartridges. go for a van den hul. far better

[DB]

Hi Rudolph,

thanks for your input, must admit the Denon is one I'd thought seriously about, can't quite accept your "ortofon's no good" view at face value since I love the Kontrapunkt I'm using on my PT / SME rig but nonetheless interested in comparing with the Denon, how would you describe it's advantages ?



Cheers

Dave.

much cleaner with very little surface noise.

if your going to get a good cartridge stick with a van den hul. they are the best you can get. i have a high end dealer friend, who calls most cartridges JUNK. mention ortofon or audio technica to him and he laughs. and he knows his stuff alright he uses a rockport sirius. which is a 100k deck.

[Crustyloafer]

rudolph hucker wrote:

i have a high end dealer friend, who calls most cartridges JUNK. mention ortofon or audio technica to him and he laughs.

He must be a very special person then. I should think that he laughs alone.

[Papa Lazarou]

Rudolph...if he's so bloody knowledgable and you trust his opinion why did you buy 4 LP12s when you think they're shite? Did you not learn?


Your opinion not mine BTW, about the LP12. I think the Linn is a great deck.

[Logan]

I use an Audio Technica OC9( latest version) in my Michell Tecnoarm. A very smooth combination, and far superior to the (unobjectionable) Ortofon MC15 Super II which preceded it. You could get them at a steal price from Needle Doctor a while back.

Papa Lazarou wrote:

Rudolph...if he's so bloody knowledgable and you trust his opinion why did you buy 4 LP12s when you think they're shite? Did you not learn?


Your opinion not mine BTW, about the LP12. I think the Linn is a great deck.

i've only known him 2 years and had mylp12's many years ago.

he is an expert and i listen to him. he is a hifi god and his knowledge on the subject is frightening.

he says most things are a complete rip off including ortofon cartridges and most decks, the only one's he speaks highly of is ,rock, sme,alphason and pink, he slags off the michells aswell, and is trying to talk me into buying an sme deck.and i've had a few ortofons in my time and agree with him 100%. for the ultimate sound it MUST be a hand made van den hul. and they are his words not mine.


and i've had an oc9 and it's not in the same league as a van den hul not by a long way i'm affraid

[Papa Lazarou]

Oh i see...a hi-fi god eh?

So what does he think of you running a AV amp in your setup then? ;)

Thats a big no-no in my book i'm afraid!

Papa Lazarou wrote:

Oh i see...a hi-fi god eh?

So what does he think of you running a AV amp in your setup then? ;)

Thats a big no-no in my book i'm afraid!

he laughs at me of course. but he's just got hold of a jadis orchestra reference that i might get soon.

papa ole fella this a 3k amp and don't comment on things you haven't heard ok thats muppetry ok. i've heard and had many ortofon cartridges and they are just ok thats all and nothing special.