Ortofon OM10 or OM20?

[eThink]

I just obtained a Dual CS 627 Q turntable (to replace my 28 year old Philips GA-212 turntable). The Dual has the ULM (Ultra Low Mass) arm and the original Ortofon TKS55E cartridge.

My plan is to replace the original Ortofon TKS55E with either the Ortofon OM10 or OM20 since these cartridges will work well the ULM arm. I understand that the primary difference between the OM10 and OM20 is the stylus and that I can upgrade to from an OM10 to an OM20 stylus at a later date.

Is there a significant sonic difference between the OM10 and OM20? If so, is it primarily in the bass?

I plan to use the turntable with ADS 520 speakers and a harman/kardon 715 preamp (MM support only) in my home office. I will listen to classical and jazz LPs; no rock.

I also plan to mount the new cartridge in a NOS headshell since the headshell is approximately 20 years and I can still get a new headshell. Is this a good idea?

Finally, I plan to get the both the cartridge and headshell from Garage-a-Records since they carry both the cartridge and headshell. Any other suggestions for a source for these cartriges and headshell?

TIA for your advice and comments.

[eThink]

Well, I guess I am answering my own question.

It turns out that the best solution is to stay with the original cartridge, the TK55e, and replace the stylus (still available!).
I learned that in order to use the OM10 or OM20 or OM30, I need to use the 1/2" mounting adapter with the ULM arm. This adapter tends to reduce the design benefits of the ULM arm.

It also turns out that the TK55e is close to performance to the OM20 cartridge.

There is a wide range in the price of the replacement stylus for the TK55e!

http://www.ortofon.com/html/body_styli_technical_data.html?varenr=0029911

The price in German is 30.1 Euros. In the US, the "list" price is $64.95 for an Ortofon replacement stylus. I have received price quotes ranging from $49.95 (Garage-a-Records) to $100.00.

[car67]

ethink,

that's one thing I have noticed since I started playing records again - the price of carts and styli. Still way up there. Good luck with the hunt. Garage-a-record's looking good.:)

Jack

[eThink]

Used with TK55E Cartridge (manufactured by Ortofon)

[eThink]

For Use with Dual Ultra Low Mass Arms

[eThink]

German Design + Engineering!

[akshobhyavajra]

Originally posted by car67
ethink,

that's one thing I have noticed since I started playing records again - the price of carts and styli. Still way up there. Good luck with the hunt. Garage-a-record's looking good.:)

Jack


I discovered that J & R has prices way south of retail on a lot of carts....

http://www.jandr.com/JRSectionView.process?RestartFlow=t&IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1633&pbegin=0&pdir=0&Sort=Mfr_Name,Current_Price,Product_Name