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Post by quattroll on Mar 27, 2020 16:37:10 GMT -5
Hi Lounge,
I want to get some opinions on moving to a better cartridge for my Pro-ject RPM 1.3 Genie. I have a nice vinyl collection and I enjoy listening to my records when possible. My new PA-1 amps have re-awoken my interest in my system and I decided to fully tune my turntable. When I got to the azimuth, I noticed that the stylus, though working, is clearly out of wack, probably even bent. It is a Sumiko Pearl. I could spend $70 on a new stylus, or go for a new cartridge.
My problem is the more expensive cartridges I look at, the more advantageous a new turntable becomes. I think I could get a cart for close to $500, that would be several levels up. Or instead of going to $1.5-2k, for a new turntable with a nice cartridge, I could try something like Schiit’s new Sol turntable. For $799, that looks pretty interesting.
I just wanted to get some advice, because it is hard to pin down value vs expense with vinyl. Thank you for your responses.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 27, 2020 19:14:46 GMT -5
Hi Lounge, I want to get some opinions on moving to a better cartridge for my Pro-ject RPM 1.3 Genie. I have a nice vinyl collection and I enjoy listening to my records when possible. My new PA-1 amps have re-awoken my interest in my system and I decided to fully tune my turntable. When I got to the azimuth, I noticed that the stylus, though working, is clearly out of wack, probably even bent. It is a Sumiko Pearl. I could spend $70 on a new stylus, or go for a new cartridge. My problem is the more expensive cartridges I look at, the more advantageous a new turntable becomes. I think I could get a cart for close to $500, that would be several levels up. Or instead of going to $1.5-2k, for a new turntable with a nice cartridge, I could try something like Schiit’s new Sol turntable. For $799, that looks pretty interesting. I just wanted to get some advice, because it is hard to pin down value vs expense with vinyl. Thank you for your responses. I’m eyeing the Sol myself, but haven’t yet considered what cartridge I’d pair with it; I need to build a shelf for the turntable first. $70 to get the Sumiko working seems like an attractive place to start while planning your endgame. |
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Post by vcautokid on Mar 28, 2020 11:23:54 GMT -5
The Sol I think is killer for the bucks, and new tonearms will be sold separately so you can mount and change cartridges in seconds by swapping out the tone arm. If I do vinyl. The Sol is top of my list. The adjustment provisions are amazing including on the fly VTA. No one does that! Save some bucks and go with the Sol and rock on with the Cartridge you want. Sol is the turntable we tuning geeks wanted for years and no one made one at this money. I am sold. Your mileage may vary.
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Post by quattroll on Mar 28, 2020 15:45:17 GMT -5
Thanks Guys,
I agree, the new stylus is a sensible option. I think I will hold off on going for the Sol, and instead try a new cartridge. One that I have found is the Nagoaka MP110, which can obtained on ebay internationally. There are some guys who think this cartridge performs well above its price, which is usually much higher from other sources. I also read that you can then upgrade down the road with a stylus meant for the higher units in the series, like the MP200, and obtain a substantial amount of that unit's performance. Intriguing, and I will probably pull the trigger today on that. Of course I can probably find others and keep myself very busy trying to discern between them. Since I am on my second Sumiko Pearl stylus, it is enticing to change for the sake of something new, and fiddle with it. For that matter there may be some other upgrades to my present turntable. Having said that, the initial problems with the Sol have been rectified, according to an email I got from Schiit, with no reports of any issues since they put it back on sale. Wow that thing looks awesome.
Of course I would have the Emotiva Turntable, had that ever become a reality!
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