Best Moving Coil Cartridge output? - Page 2 - World-Designs-Forum

Clive · #11 29th February 2008, 05:58 PM

Hi Greg,

I'll have to take a look at the mag. Was there any comparison to the Argo? The Dorian is £495, I'd have thought the Benz Micro Glider should be compared with the Argo: £795.

Cartridges are such a minefield, it's so hard to try them before you buy.

Cheers,

Clive

steve s · #12 29th February 2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive

Hi Greg,

I'll have to take a look at the mag. Was there any comparison to the Argo? The Dorian is £495, I'd have thought the Benz Micro Glider should be compared with the Argo: £795.

Cartridges are such a minefield, it's so hard to try them before you buy.

Cheers,

Clive

i had a lydian beta a few years ago, i was very impressed
once you get used to what they do..I would not now like to use a lower quality cartridge...

steve

JDA99 · #13 29th February 2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg.

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the information. The review rates it as superior to the Lyra Dorian.

Best wishes,

Greg

At the money quoted, the review should have been against the Argo i, which is markedly superior to the Dorian.

JDA99

Greg. · #14 29th February 2008, 09:47 PM

Good point on the Argo i but I notice it commands roughly the same price regardless of sale location, ie $1500 in the States. I've not yet reached a stage where I can justify that kind of expenditure anyway. I'm thinking that if I can get a Benz for about £300 plus shipping and even import duty, that would be a reasonable deal.

Greg. · #15 29th February 2008, 10:59 PM

Going on from Clives reply, my Old Ortofon MC30 only puts out 0.093mV per channel, hense my use of step up ratio of 1:20. It was used on my Slatedeck again this year for the Bristol Show in the WD room with no complaints of perceived distortion. Quite the oposite infact with much completely gobbed smack compliment. Maybe I just have a winning combination even with a derivative Rega RB250 arm in Michell colours. Have I found synergy close to Nirvana? I don't know. It does get you thinking though. I've spent alot of time on getting set-up bang on and I'm sure this makes a difference between mediocre sound compared with the dynaymic sound I feel I have.

If I went for the Benz Micro Slider at 0.3mV (lowest output opt) being apparently the best choice, I probably could change my step-up ratio to 1:10 which would hopefully still provide my volume needs and comply with the best mix of options on sound. Do you agree?

Shian7 · #16 29th February 2008, 11:02 PM

Yes!

Clive · #17 29th February 2008, 11:11 PM

Wow, that's a low output. I don't think you'd hear distortion on 1:20 per se, more a subtle softening of the sound. Then again it might be really fine. I have both Hagerman Piccolo and TX-103, it's interesting to compare them (active SS vs SUT). I can live with either very easily.

Darren D · #18 29th February 2008, 11:28 PM

I too use an MC30 with 20:1 step-ups,

My other choice is an Ortofon SPU with it's own built in step-ups, No idea what that ratio is?

The MC30 sure does perform well and was indeed purchased after hearing Gregs own example in the flesh.
When it finally wears out I shall miss it.

Clive · #19 29th February 2008, 11:32 PM

Darren and Greg, why not re-tip? Some seem to get as good or better results than the original.

Darren D · #20 29th February 2008, 11:52 PM

I'm not so sure?

I have an SPU re-tipped by Garrot Bro's

It's no-where near as good as an original, I was expecting good results, but to be frank, it's very poor so I don't use it at all.

I think re-tipping is a bit of a pot luck game.