[S_Dedalus]

I've decided to complete rework this thread.
After quite a bit more listening, this bluenote is unbearably bright, and I've gone back to the reciever. I think I'll take bln's advice and look into a different cartridge, and keep this one for when I give the table to my brother.
If I keep the cartridge under $200, then I can probably fit the bottlehead seduction into my budget, and I might be able to find a used PH-1.
There is an ortofon X3-MC on audiogon for a good price, and I've heard interesting things about the Denon DL-160/110. How would those compare to an ortofon OM-20/30 or AT440ML?

 

[bln]

In my experience, cartridge upgrades have been immediately apparent and drastic; phono stage upgrades, not so. I have used several Grado cartridges, including the Green, and have not enjoyed them. I think you'd do well to spend your few hundred dollars on a nice MM or high-output MC cartridge that would work with your receiver and be good enough to keep when you upgrade your table. That's just been my experience, if you want cartridge rec's I have a few.

 

[S_Dedalus]

Thanks for the advice, I've modified the original post to reflect my new thoughts.

 

[fishski13]

i'm assuming that the Seduction is only for MM/HO MC. i don't know what your arm is, but either of the Denon 110/160 may work nicely depending on the arm's effective mass. i have a 110 on my Basis1400/OL-rb250 into a Naim MM Stageline that is freaky fantastic for the money. Denons are super duper VFM. if The Big Lebowski owned a cart, a 110/160 would be the only one.

Skoal,
Corey

 

[bln]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishski13 if The Big Lebowski owned a cart, a 110/160 would be the only one.

It really ties the rig together.

 

[S_Dedalus]

found a phono stage to tide me over, and to sate my thirst for modding. I just picked up a Rotel RQ-970BX, and will probably mod the hell out of it.