What cartridge are you currently using on main deck

Audio Technica VM540ML on my Thorens TD-160, SME 3009 tonearm.

Ortofon Omega on my Technics SL-1650.

 

I'm currently running a Nagaoka MP10 cart with a NP100 stylus on my SL1200mkII. Sounds really good for a 0.6 conical stylus.

 

Still breaking in an old NOS Ortofon F-15E MKII I acquired a while back. It loves the carbon arm on my mmf 2.3

 

Technics DL-205, Grado Prestige Black1 with a new 8MZ. Really liking it.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the Ortophon 2M Black. I've heard some really good things about it, and I wonder if it would be a substantial upgrade from my V15-IV.
(TD 160 w TP16)

 

I've just upgraded my 2M Bronze to a Black. It's a stunning cartridge but I have no idea how it compares to your Shure - it's been decades since I heard one.

I have a GS Era V phono stage - the 2M's need low capacitance so yours should be ideal. - t/t SL1210/Roksan Tabriz.

 

@Ilikevinyl
I notice you have an SME on your TD160.
I have an SME Series 2 tonearn that picked up at an auction for $150 cad. It's dirty from lying around somewhere, and I have to get a 5g? bias weight for it, they're about $40. But with a cleanup and such, it should be fine.
The SME would certainly cure any compliance issues, but I hesitate to remove the TP16 cuz it's really such a nice piece of engineering.
The SME came with a Shure M75. Needs a stylus, but I'm curious as to how it would sound.

Dave

 

@lazycat
Okay, thanks for the insight. I think the 2M Black is the cart I'll eventually move up to.
I have the GSP Reflex M phono stage, so I suppose I would get similar results.
There's so many great carts available, I guess ya just have to zero in on one and take the plunge. I listen to Jazz, Classical (I love strings), 70's (real) classic rock, and a touch of good pop. (I consider Beatles to be pop).
Oops ...

Dave

 

An Audio Technica ART9 on a Audiomods arm. Blissful!
Cheers, Doug

 

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

Grado Prestige Black1 with a new 8MZ

 

I would just leave the TP16 Thorens tonearm on, it is a nice tonearm! The Denon 160 is a good match for the TP16 arm. Nagaoka cartridges is another excellent match! Make sure your Thorens arm is lined up properly in the pivot housing! Notice the line on the tonearm right next to the pivot housing. There's also a line on the pivot housing itself. Both lines should line up, being a single line. If the arm doesn't line up, you have to adjust the vertical arm bearings. Forgot what socket you need. I had to do that when my Thorens arm was mounted. It was off to one side. Adjusted it so it was precisely lined up! When it's lined up, the arm is precisely centered in the four pivot housing!

There's some Threads about which stylus is the best for the Shure M75 cartridge. Do a search on AK. All the threads will show about that cartridge.

 

Excellent tonearm and cartridge! I can just imagine how that sounds!

 

Alrighty then...

 

Stanton 680 V3 w/ D6800SL Stereohedron stylus.

 

You've got your mounting screws in upside down...

 

Duplicate post, ignore.

 

@Ilikevinyl
Thanks so much for all tha great info. It's a big help. The TD160 can be a tad finicky, and I'd really like it to be operating as close to spec as possible.
And I'll look around for some M75 info on AK.
It' actually an M75-6, I don't know if that matters.
And I also have an Audio Techica AT3482P, but I think it just a low end cart.

Dave

 

Ortofon 2m bronze (with a shim) on my Rega Planar 3. Neutral rich nice sound

 

I use the same cartridge, only on a Kenwood KD5070.
My KD550 uses a VMS 15xxx something replacement stylus on a VMS 20eMkII body. The medium mass arm was a bit to much for the VMS20 higher compliance.