“Quest 20?” LOL. That thread is fun. You are making me blush. Thanks for telling fellow AKers about the budget marvel. I’ve been using the bargain combination for a year now. While I have a fair collection of cartridges, I keep going back to The Mutt, the “Quest 20.”
Eteller is not exaggerating; they sound great- the music anchors in the middle with definite, wide, detailed, and neutral stereo. It is quite refreshing.
For those that missed it, here is a recap of the long thread. We can piece together cartridges that rival the sound of those costing much more using an Ortofon OM body and a bargain stylus that seems to be the old world, higher compliance, OM 20 or OMP 20 in disguise. The Digitrac 200 NE (nude-elliptical) cartridge, through a fleaBay seller, cost $20, free shipping. The Digitrac cartridges were manufactured by Ortofon in the early 80s. Haven’t heard of them? I have no wonder as they didn’t last long.
Odds are the Digitrac cartridges do not work- it is a 1 in 4 chance. But the stylus does fit the OM bodies perfectly, after the tab is removed with fingernail clippers, even if they look homely, Frankenstein’s for sure. I have used them on my OMB 5E, OM 5E, and Arkiv. The sound is rare synergy; the combination of the nude-elliptical tip and the higher compliance cantilever make sweet music with plenty of detail.
The Digitrac package gives extra goodies. Each comes with mounting screws, screwdriver, and either a hard-stylus-brush or a small-and-soft toothbrush so we get our moneys worth. Substitute the stylus on the OM and start spinning.
Eteller has the right idea. If you do not have an OM cartridge lying around, new budget-saving OMB 5E (bulk package) cartridge runs $32.90 with free shipping at fleaBay from a seller in Germany. He lists them as OM B 5E or OMB5E. Good sound doesn’t have to cost a lot.
I’m glad eteller, and others, took the gamble. Actually, it is not much of a gamble and the rewards are treasured bargains. We are all on a budget now and this could stretch it a lot further. Go buy some food to pig out on, sit back, and enjoy The Mutt.
Eteller, I’ll bet the combination was quite a musical surprise.