Naim Stageline N specs

[sktn77a]

I’m considering installing a MM cartridge in my LP12/Ekos turntable (the exposed cantilever on my Lyra is just too tempting for a “senior moment”). However, I see the specs are listed as 47kOhms/470pF. That’s an awful high input capacitance for most MMs (with 100-150pF from the arm cable, it’s ~ 600pF total). Won’t this wreck havoc with the frequency response of most MMs (in particular, the new Shure M97xE I have tucked away for a rainy day)?

 

[Moomintroll]

Found this on the Naim Forum, https://community.naimaudio.com/t/cartridges-that-go-with-the-stageline/9336

’troll

 

[sktn77a]

Thanks 'troll. Yes, I think the AT cartridges may be a better match for the Stageline than the Shure, based on both their frequency response and their reduced sensitivity to higher input capacitances. In the past, though, I've found them a little steely.

Can't speak to the Goldring or Ortofon but they seem to get mixed reviews online. And I 've always considered the Adikt way overpriced for what it is (a rebodied Goldring 1012).

 

[Mr Kandid]

Thanks 'troll. Yes, I think the AT cartridges may be a better match for the Stageline than the Shure, based on both their frequency response and their reduced sensitivity to higher input capacitances. In the past, though, I've found them a little steely.

Can't speak to the Goldring or Ortofon but they seem to get mixed reviews online. And I 've always considered the Adikt way overpriced for what it is (a rebodied Goldring 1012).

I like the idea of an AT95 or one of the new ones and get the metal body mod and a few Styli to keep you going.
https://theaudiofiles.co.uk/

 

[DebsE]

The Paratrace stylus takes the AT95E to a whole new level. I put one on an Ariston RD80 / Linn Basik Plus that I built for my neice. It really sings and would work well in an Ekos.

https://theaudiofiles.co.uk/95p-paratrace-stylus-for-at95e-cartridge/

 

[Moomintroll]

the metal body mod

Would that be the RigB mod? If so, looks very interesting- a latter day K9? https://www.audioappraisal.com/ipt-rigb-95-metal-body-upgrade-for-audio-technica-vm95-cartridges/

‘troll

 

[sktn77a]

I've considered the AT VM95EN/ML. Just a little leery of dropping down from an Lyra to a budget MM. I like the idea of a tapped body for installation (which the more expensive AT MMs don't have).

 

[Mr Kandid]

It’s a tough decision but sometimes a mega cartridge isn’t the biggest priority and the way the quality of many vinyl releases seems to be dropping it makes you wonder if it’s worth it sometimes.
I do like to enjoy what I have but I don’t think I’d be enthusiastic about vinyl now with the cost and quality.

 

[sktn77a]

I do like to enjoy what I have but I don’t think I’d be enthusiastic about vinyl now with the cost and quality.

I agree, I'm not planning on many $30-$40 record purchases going forward but my 200-or-so classic disks from the 60s and70s deserve my best efforts!

 

[Wenge1]

It’s a tough decision but sometimes a mega cartridge isn’t the biggest priority and the way the quality of many vinyl releases seems to be dropping it makes you wonder if it’s worth it sometimes.
I do like to enjoy what I have but I don’t think I’d be enthusiastic about vinyl now with the cost and quality.

Very interesting article referenced by yourself and DebsE above. At some point in the future, I feel that I may also be in a place (through medical issues) where the risk of damaging my 'super' cart will outweigh everything else. Good to know that there will be something decent as a cost-effective alternative. And if that time comes then my hearing may also not be as good as it now so maybe I won't notice as much any drop off in SQ that may occur from switching carts

I'm very enthusiastic about the vinyl I already have (and there is quite a lot of it) and I love the sheer joy that my current system brings to it. But for the reasons that you state, I'm not at all sure whether I would start collecting vinyl from scratch today

 

[Mr Kandid]

I'm very enthusiastic about the vinyl I already have (and there is quite a lot of it) and I love the sheer joy that my current system brings to it. But would I start collecting vinyl from scratch today

Good pun there.

 

[sktn77a]

Hmm..... my post with the data (frequency response curves) ahs disappeared. Would the mods have removed this for some reason?

EDIT: Here it is again:

 

[Moomintroll]

I agree, I'm not planning on many $30-$40 record purchases going forward but my 200-or-so classic disks from the 60s and70s deserve my best efforts!

Absolutely, I think there is, sometimes, an expectation that high end turntable ownership equates to a collection of thousands of LPs. It ain’t necessarily so…

’troll

 

[Tendaberry]

Hmm..... my post with the data (frequency response curves) ahs disappeared. Would the mods have removed this for some reason?

EDIT: Here it is again:

That looks like a very bad combination (Stageline + Shure). But going from a Lyra MC to an entry level MM is quite a step. The only way that would be acceptable for me, is if you upgraded some other part of the LP12 (Karousel/power supply/arm) to offset the cartridge downgrade.

 

[sktn77a]

That looks like a very bad combination (Stageline + Shure). But going from a Lyra MC to an entry level MM is quite a step. The only way that would be acceptable for me, is if you upgraded some other part of the LP12 (Karousel/power supply/arm) to offset the cartridge downgrade.

Well, I recently upgraded my LP2 to a Kore, Karousel and Lingo 4 so that's the end of my TT upgrades. Yes, I know its quite a downgrade in cartridges but when the Lyra conks out, I think it'll be time to install a less expensive option.

 

[Tendaberry]

You could always get a second-hand Akurate Radikal and sell/trade in your Lingo 4, that would offset the cart downgrade. Or you could go for a less expensive MC like the Dynavector DV-10X5 Mk. II, either the high-output normal one or the low-output Neo-version.