[JamieMcC]

As I know nothing about the different types of cartridges I thought it would be good to try and gain a better understanding. Fitted to my Rega 3 is a A&R P77 apparently it is a mid 1980s vintage moving magnet high compliance pickup cartridge. But to be honest I have not a clue as to what all that means, can anyone suggest some reading links is there a cartridges for dummies web site? I like the sound and am in no rush to change at the moment it would just be good to have a better grasp of at least the basics to know how to optimise what I have and also what to look for when the time comes for a change. 

 

[analogsurviver]

  As I know nothing about the different types of cartridges I thought it would be good to try and gain a better understanding. Fitted to my Rega 3 is a A&R P77 apparently it is a mid 1980s vintage moving magnet high compliance pickup cartridge. But to be honest I have not a clue as to what all that means, can anyone suggest some reading links is there a cartridges for dummies web site? I like the sound and am in no rush to change at the moment it would just be good to have a better grasp of at least the basics to know how to optimise what I have and also what to look for when the time comes for a change. 

A&R P77 is in fact japanese OEM cartridge, "sailing" under lots of flags. What differs are styli.
P77 was modified by the famous Garrott brothers and it went from great to almost fantastic. Expert Stylus Co in UK made the last batch of P77 replica styli that are very close to if not better than original. They still have some stock.
 
Current stylus I am eyeing is Jico SAS Stylus 1 for  
 http://stylus.export-japan.com/sascartridge.php
This cart is yet another reincartnation of P77.
 
This stylus is also the cheapest way to get boron cantilever and Micro Ridge/SAS stylus tip profile - both can be found in carts well into the four figures.
 
So - whatever you decide - that P77 is a keeper.

 

[brunk]

@analogsurviver - You seem to be a great wealth of knowledge in all things analog. Since we're on the topic of cartridges, my Music Hall table had come with an Ortofon Mojo cartridge installed. Would you happen to have any info on exactly what this cart is? Thanks!

 

[analogsurviver]

  @analogsurviver - You seem to be a great wealth of knowledge in all things analog. Since we're on the topic of cartridges, my Music Hall table had come with an Ortofon Mojo cartridge installed. Would you happen to have any info on exactly what this cart is? Thanks!

Unfortunately not - I would have to google it. But it is perhaps an Ortofon OEM for Music Hall. All pics of MH tables I could find yet had Goldring carts on them - can you at least post a pic of the misterious Ortofon cart?

 

[brunk]

  Unfortunately not - I would have to google it. But it is perhaps an Ortofon OEM for Music Hall. All pics of MH tables I could find yet had Goldring carts on them - can you at least post a pic of the misterious Ortofon cart?

Sure, I hope these are sufficient. Gosh, taking a pic with the flash on really shows the dust that the naked eye just can't see very well. If you do figure out exactly what it is, where does it stand in the MM product line? Thanks again for helping out!

Spoiler: Pictures of Music Hall Mojo (Ortofon) Cartridge

 

 

 

I did manage to find some specs from elusive disc:
 

Ortofon Mojo Cartridge Specifications:

Cartridge Type: Moving Magnet

Output: 3.0mV

Frequency range 20-27.000 Hz

Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz + 2 / - 3 dB

Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force 90 µm

Compliance, dynamic, lateral 30 µm/mN

Stylus type Nude FG 70

Stylus tip radius r/R 5/70 µm

Equivalent stylus tip mass 0,3 mg

Tracking force range 1,25-1,75 g (12,5-17,5 mN)

Tracking force, recommended 1,5 g (15 mN)

Tracking angle 20°

 

[analogsurviver]

  Sure, I hope these are sufficient. Gosh, taking a pic with the flash on really shows the dust that the naked eye just can't see very well. If you do figure out exactly what it is, where does it stand in the MM product line? Thanks again for helping out!

Spoiler: Pictures of Music Hall Mojo (Ortofon) Cartridge

 

 

 

I did manage to find some specs from elusive disc:
 

Ortofon Mojo Cartridge Specifications:

Cartridge Type: Moving Magnet

Output: 3.0mV

Frequency range 20-27.000 Hz

Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz + 2 / - 3 dB

Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force 90 µm

Compliance, dynamic, lateral 30 µm/mN

Stylus type Nude FG 70

Stylus tip radius r/R 5/70 µm

Equivalent stylus tip mass 0,3 mg

Tracking force range 1,25-1,75 g (12,5-17,5 mN)

Tracking force, recommended 1,5 g (15 mN)

Tracking angle 20°

It is a 3X0/5X0 series ( X would here be most probably 3 ) - in Germany also sold under Vinyl Master (Colours as in 2M series ) name. It is roughly equivalent of the 2M Bronze and/or OM 30. In short - just under the very top Orto MMs. So a very good and capable cart - take good care of the stylus, as it most probably is not "sponsored" in normal retail as it was in MF package deal.

 

[brunk]

  It is a 3X0/5X0 series ( X would here be most probably 3 ) - in Germany also sold under Vinyl Master (Colours as in 2M series ) name. It is roughly equivalent of the 2M Bronze and/or OM 30. In short - just under the very top Orto MMs. So a very good and capable cart - take good care of the stylus, as it most probably is not "sponsored" in normal retail as it was in MF package deal.

Thank you so much for the information! It's nice to finally shed some light on the mystery of this cart after so many years.

 

[analogsurviver]

  Thank you so much for the information! It's nice to finally shed some light on the mystery of this cart after so many years.

No problem.
 
It felt good to help you a little - after losing THE bidding war on fleabay.
 
Still fumin'/ventin' ...

. Piggybank too small - as Madonna used to sing : "the man with cold hard cash is always right !"

 

[brunk]

  No problem.
 
It felt good to help you a little - after losing THE bidding war on fleabay.
 
Still fumin'/ventin' ...

. Piggybank too small - as Madonna used to sing : "the man with cold hard cash is always right !"

Haha very true! I would love to hear your thoughts on this phono pre I'm building, I finally have all the parts in house and will start on it very soon. I already have the case drilled out
 
http://hagtech.com/cornet2.html
 
Is it a good match for my table/cart etc...
 
Thanks!

 

[analogsurviver]

  Haha very true! I would love to hear your thoughts on this phono pre I'm building, I finally have all the parts in house and will start on it very soon. I already have the case drilled out
 
http://hagtech.com/cornet2.html
 
Is it a good match for my table/cart etc...
 
Thanks!

Will see to it tomorrow. It is 1 AM here.
 
What just went away is couple of orders of magnitude better than any conventional phono stage - and comes up for sale approx only every 2-3 years...

 

[brunk]

  Will see to it tomorrow. It is 1 AM here.
 
What just went away is couple of orders of magnitude better than any conventional phono stage - and comes up for sale approx only every 2-3 years...

Wow, sorry to hear you lost out on that bid. All right, have a good night analogsurviver. Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow!

 

[JamieMcC]

  A&R P77 is in fact japanese OEM cartridge, "sailing" under lots of flags. What differs are styli.
P77 was modified by the famous Garrott brothers and it went from great to almost fantastic. Expert Stylus Co in UK made the last batch of P77 replica styli that are very close to if not better than original. They still have some stock.
 
Current stylus I am eyeing is Jico SAS Stylus 1 for
 http://stylus.export-japan.com/sascartridge.php
This cart is yet another reincartnation of P77.
 
This stylus is also the cheapest way to get boron cantilever and Micro Ridge/SAS stylus tip profile - both can be found in carts well into the four figures.
 
So - whatever you decide - that P77 is a keeper.

 
Thank you simply wonderful info very helpful indeed and has set me up for more than a couple of hours of googling.  There was me thinking a stylus was a metal needle

 
A Micro Ridged, Natural single crystal octahedron diamond tip with boron cantilever for the P77 for $97.00! Now that is just plain sowing seeds for future harvesting.

 

[analogsurviver]

....a stylus was a metal needle 

 
LMAO - but I was glad I could help. After the above admission I can see why it took you a couple hours of googling ... 

.
 
Your records - and ears - are in for a threat - enjoy when you get it !

 

[JamieMcC]

Can I ask what you guys are using for cleaning your records and stylus?

 

[Eee Pee]

Can I ask what you guys are using for cleaning your records and stylus?

Discwasher SC-1 from the mid 90s. And I've used it a lot! It's lasted the entire time. I'd probably get Last #4 and their brush next time. Or MoFi. They're about $25.