bobins08
Celebrating Life
I am now playing a vintage Empire 2000e/III with a NOS Empire conical stylus that is kicking arse.
So add it to this list.
Your Top 5 older cartridges
- Thread starter Tonyqt
- Start date
I am now playing a vintage Empire 2000e/III with a NOS Empire conical stylus that is kicking arse.
So add it to this list.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
Vinylmasters
Super Member
I'll do this differently: I'm going to list some carts that did NOT make the top 5 too (ALL are p-mounts):
Grado black with a 8mz stylus
Digitrac 380 NE
ADC PSX-40
Shure M110HE
Shure/Realistic RXT6
Shure M104e with LP Gear VL stylus.
Shure/Realistic RXT5 with a N97xe stylus.
Audio Technica "AT-92ML" (It's the AT 92e with the ML stylus).
Audio Technica 142LP with a AT152LP stylus.
Audio Technica 8008 (w/ original Shibata stylus)
Technics P33s with SAS stylus.
That said....
5- ADC first gen. p-mount (I have no idea what the model is, but it's the one with the channels reversed).
4 - Empire 395LT with a 246-DEX stylus.
3 - Shure M92 cart with a Radio Shack/Shure RXT5 stylus.
2 - Empire 897 XLT (w/ original 'quad' stylus).
1 - Audio Technica SS330E/U with a AT 212-DE stylus.
Yea, I don't believe it either, but I'm not into specs, name, cost or any of that. The only thing I want is pure sound after I transfer and clean an album, or occasional listening.
Grado black with a 8mz stylus
Digitrac 380 NE
ADC PSX-40
Shure M110HE
Shure/Realistic RXT6
Shure M104e with LP Gear VL stylus.
Shure/Realistic RXT5 with a N97xe stylus.
Audio Technica "AT-92ML" (It's the AT 92e with the ML stylus).
Audio Technica 142LP with a AT152LP stylus.
Audio Technica 8008 (w/ original Shibata stylus)
Technics P33s with SAS stylus.
That said....
5- ADC first gen. p-mount (I have no idea what the model is, but it's the one with the channels reversed).
4 - Empire 395LT with a 246-DEX stylus.
3 - Shure M92 cart with a Radio Shack/Shure RXT5 stylus.
2 - Empire 897 XLT (w/ original 'quad' stylus).
1 - Audio Technica SS330E/U with a AT 212-DE stylus.
Yea, I don't believe it either, but I'm not into specs, name, cost or any of that. The only thing I want is pure sound after I transfer and clean an album, or occasional listening.
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johnjhazel
PhxJohn
Agree with your comment. I prefer my two GE VR 1000's which cost $10/each back in the day. I even prefer them to my Ortofon Quintet Blue. The best test instruments are located on the sides of our heads.
Vinylmasters
Super Member
Absolutely! Years ago when I sold stereo gear and such it was something I always told people: close your eyes and just listen. Never mind name, cost or any of that. Just listen. That's all you need in the end!
Funny.... did a master for a band for release on CD with a AT-92e - hardly a cart that would be used in an instance like that. I was reading reviews on it that said 'we're so glad they went back to the original masters for this release because the sound quality is stunning". And it was done with a $19.99 cart and stylus! Hearing is believing!!!
Interesting - I had always presumed they were moving coils because of the low output of the earlier versions, but further research showed my I'm wrong.The Decca is neither MM or MC. It is a moving iron/induced magnet.
Another interesting old cartridge I have recently acquired but haven't gotten it - Euphonics miniconic arm and cartridge. One of the first strain gauge type cartridges.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
I like the GE VR 1000's. They are a Peter E Pritchard design. They generate the signal at the stylus tip similar to the Londons(Decca) and the A/T ART 1000. I call the VR 1000's the 'poor man's London'. But, they are very rare. They do have the advantage of a replaceable stylus. And they track very well with a proper stylus. I use mine at 1.5 grams VTF.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
It is about time for one to show up on eBay. Often, I know the seller as they are so rare. Maybe I can hook you up and I will build a few styli for you.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
I remember you mentioning that auction. I got one buy it now VR 1000 for $164. One guy wanted me to find him a decent stylus for the GE VR-22. I tried some and gave up. I told him to forget the VR-22 and buy a VR 1000. He did. And liked it so much that he bought another one. I tested 34 styli to find 10 good ones for him. Check one of the last pages on my VR 1000 thread on LH. One guy has four VR 1000's. PM him.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
ADC XLM 2 improved w/JICO
Stanton 681EEE w/RXL
Shure V15 Mk2 w/JICO
ADC 100XE
B&O MMC5
Stanton 681EEE w/RXL
Shure V15 Mk2 w/JICO
ADC 100XE
B&O MMC5
oldgearhog
Active Member
Shure M95HE
Signet TK3ea
I started out with a couple of Empire low end things and graduated to an Ortofon VMS 10 or something before the.two better carts.
Signet TK3ea
I started out with a couple of Empire low end things and graduated to an Ortofon VMS 10 or something before the.two better carts.
Mystic
We're all born mad
I concur as these two are the only types of cartridges I have ever used on the various arms that have been attached to my AT "The Turntable". I have several examples of each, but more of the Type III, which I prefer just a wee bit over the Type IV. I like the III's weight and, frankly, its appearance. It's a good-lookin' cartridge that delivers excellent performance @ least for my requirements.
SA-708
Appalachian-American
I posted a top 5 vintage p-mount list somewhere upthread.
The XT series are the early ADC p-mounts with the channels reversed. They ranged from the XT-I conical to the XT-IV aliptic.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-adc-p-mount-that-wanted-to-be-real.625418/
Vinylmasters
Super Member
Thanks! I can never remember the name of that one. I have two of those ADC's. One has a XT-III stylus, and the other has a XLM-III. Very detailed and full. My main thing is digital transfer/restoration, so I can flip the channel sides easily enough. Once you declick and remove the vinyl noise, it's an incredible full sound with them with lots of detail, but not fatiguing. I'm still NOT a fan of the ADC PSX series however (I have 3 of those - PSX-10, PSX-30 and a PSX-40).
Vinylmasters
Super Member
As I noted in my previous post, I have two of those now. They have a very rich, full sound to them that isn't fatiguing at all. I like it a LOT more than my ADC PSX-40, which I find 'dead' or 'flat' sounding compared to others.
