I always like to keep a cheap mm around for testing when I’m in vinyl diy mode- currently experimenting with tonearms- but why do they sound so good- currently got an Osawa os102 playing- I believe it’s a conical stylus- so so suspension and sounds bloody wonderful
The same with an ADC mm- if I swap in my Stilton Mp200 or Benz silver each costing much much more than the cheap mm I don’t hear a proportional rise in sound quality- ? Makes me think the tonearm is not up to a better’ cartridge hence my new diy project.
Anyone got any mm recommendations
‘Cheap’ mm
- Latteman
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‘Cheap’ mm
Analogue Source -
GL-59 modified.
ARB uni pivot alloy wand-AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
ARB uni pivot wooden wand-AT- Signet.
Quad 34 Pre amp with mm phono stage.
Ifi Zen Phono for mc
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Fibre Ethernet connection.
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 with Doc modded 12” in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
GL-59 modified.
ARB uni pivot alloy wand-AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
ARB uni pivot wooden wand-AT- Signet.
Quad 34 Pre amp with mm phono stage.
Ifi Zen Phono for mc
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Fibre Ethernet connection.
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 with Doc modded 12” in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
- Fretless
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
Anything Grado.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- savvypaul
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
Audio technica vm95en and vm95ml.
Or for abit over 200 quid the vm540ml is a no brainer
My dad uses a vm95 en on one of my arms, i have used much more expensive carts on mine. Dynavectors, Vm760slc, vm750sh, at33sa ect. The 540 is no slouch, the 95ml is a little sweetie.
I have some other stuff kicking around, jvc z1 which are easy to get new stylus for, at 440mlb, empire 999 se, a couple of grado black, 2m blue (dont like that very much) at f7 moving coil if you want to borrow something
Or for abit over 200 quid the vm540ml is a no brainer
My dad uses a vm95 en on one of my arms, i have used much more expensive carts on mine. Dynavectors, Vm760slc, vm750sh, at33sa ect. The 540 is no slouch, the 95ml is a little sweetie.
I have some other stuff kicking around, jvc z1 which are easy to get new stylus for, at 440mlb, empire 999 se, a couple of grado black, 2m blue (dont like that very much) at f7 moving coil if you want to borrow something
Analogue: oracle delphi sme 309, jbe series 3 cx unipivot dv20x2l, roksan xerxes tabriz vm750, jvc ql-y5f rigb at440, jvc ql-y3f vm750, lenco 75, technics sl150
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
Thinking on, fetch the deck over and i can set something up in it for you
Analogue: oracle delphi sme 309, jbe series 3 cx unipivot dv20x2l, roksan xerxes tabriz vm750, jvc ql-y5f rigb at440, jvc ql-y3f vm750, lenco 75, technics sl150
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
My favourite cheap MM is a Goldring Elektra.
You can pick them up very cheaply on eBay (no cheap ones there at the moment). I’ve paid £20 for an unused cart and stylus.
This cart was actually designed for Goldring by Nagoaka, and consequently sounds very similar to the Nagoaka MP110. The stylus is elliptical. The Goldring Elan is the exact same cartridge with a conical stylus.
The Elektra sounds better, but not much in it.
These are very sweet sounding carts. I’ve used them in systems I’ve built for my friend and for my niece. I always have a spare or two in my parts box.
Will hunt down an Osawa and give it a go
You can pick them up very cheaply on eBay (no cheap ones there at the moment). I’ve paid £20 for an unused cart and stylus.
This cart was actually designed for Goldring by Nagoaka, and consequently sounds very similar to the Nagoaka MP110. The stylus is elliptical. The Goldring Elan is the exact same cartridge with a conical stylus.
The Elektra sounds better, but not much in it.
These are very sweet sounding carts. I’ve used them in systems I’ve built for my friend and for my niece. I always have a spare or two in my parts box.
Will hunt down an Osawa and give it a go
Modded Belles A150 MK2, P90SA, & NVA SSP cables, and LS5.
Leak Stereo 20 & First Audio Classic Copper V2
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Nottingham Audio Hyperspace + heavy kit, + Origin Live Conqueror + Koetsu Black
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Bluesound Node2i (x2) both with latest power upgrades.
Topping D90MQA and Topping D90SE
Audiolab 6000 CDT transport.
All NVA cables
Leak Stereo 20 & First Audio Classic Copper V2
Modded Lenco GL75 with Saturn arm, heavy custom plinth. Nagaoka MP500.
Nottingham Audio Hyperspace + heavy kit, + Origin Live Conqueror + Koetsu Black
Tom Evans Micro Grove MK2 MC phono
Bluesound Node2i (x2) both with latest power upgrades.
Topping D90MQA and Topping D90SE
Audiolab 6000 CDT transport.
All NVA cables
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
Grado are one of those audio companies that I admire and like.
Family owned. Relies on listening to develop their products. Relatively no-nonsense.
I'm sure I read somewhere, someone saying that they'd tried moving iron cartridge(s) and been delighted with the results?
- Fretless
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
I have 2 vintage Grado Signature cartridges in use. Don't need to look further.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- Latteman
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Re: ‘Cheap’ mm
That’s better- modified the tonearm- carbon tube, AT head-shell non detachable, litz rewire (fracking awful stuff to work with).
With Benz cartridge it’s a step above the cheap mm- result
With Benz cartridge it’s a step above the cheap mm- result
Analogue Source -
GL-59 modified.
ARB uni pivot alloy wand-AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
ARB uni pivot wooden wand-AT- Signet.
Quad 34 Pre amp with mm phono stage.
Ifi Zen Phono for mc
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Fibre Ethernet connection.
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 with Doc modded 12” in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
GL-59 modified.
ARB uni pivot alloy wand-AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
ARB uni pivot wooden wand-AT- Signet.
Quad 34 Pre amp with mm phono stage.
Ifi Zen Phono for mc
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Fibre Ethernet connection.
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 with Doc modded 12” in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
- karatestu
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