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Need help for new cartridge for SR-838/929 TT.

bluesky

bluesky

Lunatic Member
Hi guys, I really need your help deciding which cartridge to purchase.

I have a SR-838 turntable.

I used to have a fine 1980 Ortofon cart (with low hours on it) but I broke the needle off. Then I got a new AT cart but it's not a good one...$100, but the sound quality of the Ortofon was so much better. I miss that cart. It just sounded so deep with such a full sound. That WOW sound. That real 'live' in the room with ya sound.

I'm looking for a cart that 'Really Sounds Great' and tracks perfect with a 838/929. My price range is $150 to $250.

What cartridges (name and model number) are you guys running with your 838s and 929s that your really happy and totally pleased with ??? You know, that really sounds great.

I'm thinking maybe a $250 Ortofon but am really open for any suggestions!

The 'S' shaped tonearms on our TTs, are they a light, medium, or heavy tonearm??

(also are any of you guys using a 'phono stage'?)

I really appreciate your advice. Thanks
 
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Hi Bluesky

I use an Audio-Technica AT 20 SLa on my 929, bought second hand on ebay, it is a late 70'ies Quadrophonia cartridge and sounds great on the TT. I sometimes use an Ortofon OM-40, also sounds great, a little less full bodied than the AT cartridge. I have another Ortofon cartridge, an Ortofon M20FL, I haven't used it on the 929, but it has more body than the OM-40 and is an absolute great cartridge, from your description I would imagine that the M20FL would come close to what you are looking for.

BRgds Klaus
 
Thanks guys,

KlausDK: Thanks for the advice on the M20FL. I 'will' check it out. I was thinking about an OM30 or OM40 a few weeks ago but don't know anything about thier sound. I only want to buy one cartridge and hopefully it will be the right one.


whell: I will check out LPGear later today and give em a call. if they can replace the stylus on this cart that would be real good. And I may just get one more new cart too. What does LPGear do, just attach a new stylus on?


The cart which I broke the needle off is an Ortofon FF15 XE MkII. It's made around 1980. This cart really 'sounded wonderful' and I really regret breaking the stylus off. I regret it big time but accidents do happen, but this was all my fault. I know the cart is old, but it just sounded so good! it sounded richly PERFECT.

Does any cartridge companies sell NOS (new old stock)? If I could buy a new FF15 XE MKII that would be perfect.

Appreciate the help. I really need to 'get back' to the old fine sound I used to get off my TT.


I still am very interested in what cartridges you other guys are using!
 
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I have the SR-636 which is about the same but without quartz lock speed control. They share the same arm, mine has a Shure V15 type IV and I absolutely love the sound of it. I have it tracking at .75 to 1 gram. Plays and tracks perfect all the way to the end of the LP. They are also in your price range.
 
bluesky said:
whell: I will check out LPGear later today and give em a call. if they can replace the stylus on this cart that would be real good. And I may just get one more new cart too. What does LPGear do, just attach a new stylus on?
Click to expand...

Actually, you can do it yourself. The old stylus slips right off, and then you pop a new one on. Here's a replacement stylus from Needle Doctor, which is a very well respected retailer:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-FF-15-XE-MKII-replacement-stylus
 
bluesky said:
Thanks guys,

KlausDK: Thanks for the advice on the M20FL. I 'will' check it out. I was thinking about an OM30 or OM40 a few weeks ago but don't know anything about their sound. I only want to buy one cartridge and hopefully it will be the right one.

The cart which I broke the needle off is an Ortofon FF15 XE MkII. It's made around 1980.
Click to expand...

The FF15 XE MkII and the M20FL were available at the same time (79-80). The M20FL (FL=Fine Line) is however a much better Cartridge and the price were 5 times the price of the FF15 XE MkII back in 1979.

William Thakker is a very reliable source for needles and cartridges, I have used him/them several times. He has one NOS M20FL left for sale on ebay, price around 200 USD, search this item number on ebay.com to find it: 350236510703

Buy it now auction, ends in 24 hours.

BRgds Klaus
 
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KlausDK said:
The FF15 XE MkII and the M20FL were available at the same time (79-80). The M20FL (FL=Fine Line) is however a much better Cartridge and the price were 5 times the price of the FF15 XE MkII back in 1979.

William Takker is a very reliable source for needles and cartridges, I have used him/them several times. He has one NOS M20FL left for sale on ebay, price around 200 USD, search this item number on ebay.com to find it: 350236510703

Buy it now auction, ends in 24 hours.

BRgds Klaus
Click to expand...

Hi Klaus,
Most appreciated!!!!!!!!!! I just bought the M20FL cartridge. It looks like 'exactly' the cartridge I need, want, and desire! :yes: I don't know much about cartridges but I know that the FE15 XE ' s o u n d e d ' simply wonderful, so I know this one will too!

I know it's 30 years old but yours works fine, my FF15 XE worked fine, so this one should work just fine toooooo! :>)

Seen his website before. Found it researching Nagaoka headshells.

I 'really super appreciate it' you telling me about the M20FL cartridge being for sale. Everyone here on AK is just great.

Hope shipping doesn't take a real long time but it's ok if it does. I know British Royal Mail is really 'super' slow. I got a pair of Sansui 23' each speaker cables from Ireland and it took 6 weeks to the day to get here to Florida. It was well worth the wait, the cables are, as the seller described them, "wonderous".


What type of headshell to tonearm wires do you use? Anything special?
Any special headshell mounting screws?


Thanks again Klaus!!!!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate your help!!!!!!! :music::thmbsp:

:banana:
 
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Congratulations on your new M20FL cartridge, I am sure that you will be very happy with it, if you liked the FF15 XE

bluesky said:
Hope shipping doesn't take a real long time but it's ok if it does. I know British Royal Mail is really 'super' slow.
Click to expand...

William Thakker is located in Germany, shipping is normally pretty efficient

bluesky said:
What type of headshell to tonearm wires do you use? Anything special?
Any special headshell mounting screws?
Click to expand...

I use the standard headshells and tonearm wires and always aluminium (non-magnetic) mounting screws

BRgds Klaus
 
KlausDK said:
I use the standard headshells and tonearm wires and always aluminium (non-magnetic) mounting screws
Click to expand...

Thanks. I do need to get some new mounting screws and I was thinking about getting some good quality headshell to tonearm wires just for the fun of it. Why not?

One last question: Just for my own reference, do you know how much the FF15 XE and the M20FL 'cost brand new' in 1980?
I was just wondering and have no idea. The FF15 XE just came with my SR-838 when I bought it years ago from the origional owner who only used it for one year or so...they got into cassettes. I know there are better cartridges for sure, but the FF15 XE sure did sound lovely"! I know this M20FL will just be perfect, just know it! LOL. 'Way too many good vibrations on this one!' I just like the old stuff!! :>)

Thanks again Klaus! Super appreciated!
TKS!!
 
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bluesky said:
One last question: Just for my own reference, do you know how much the FF15 XE and the M20FL 'cost brand new' in 1980?
Click to expand...

The price in Danish Kroner 1979 was just below 200 DKr for the FF15 and just below 1000 DKr for the M20FL. Price in US $ would depend on the exchange rate, that has fluctuated quite a lot over the years, but around 1980 it was pretty much the same as today, which means that the FF15 would cost around 30$ and the M20FL would be like 160$

BRgds Klaus
 
Thanks Klaus, Looking forward to getting it. After I get and install the cart I will tell you of the results. I'm sure all will be fine! Thanks for the advice. The good old sound! :>)

Thanks again.
 
I look forward to hearing your opinions of the new cart, I'm using an Ortofon 2M Red on a SR-838 and it sounds great, I'm wondering is these 838's can sound bad :scratch2:

I would dearly love to try a 2M Black on one of these 838's :music:
 
roadtrip said:
I look forward to hearing your opinions of the new cart, I'm using an Ortofon 2M Red on a SR-838 and it sounds great, I'm wondering is these 838's can sound bad :scratch2: I would dearly love to try a 2M Black on one of these 838's :music:
Click to expand...

I was looking at the 2M red and black as well as many others. I broke my old '80 Ortofon, totally my fault, and got a new very regular AT cart, nothing special, but the sound quality was 'no where near' the old Ortofon. I mean it's ok, I can live with it, but just doesn't have the 'magic' for my ears anyway. It just doesn't have the Ortofon sound which was like 'wonderous'. Then AK member KlausDK turned me onto the '80 NOS Ortofon 'M20FL Super' being sold in Germany. Perfect. It's the upper end of the cart I broke, or at least near the TOTL of that cart anyway (Total $200). So very cool! I'm really looking forward to receiving it. Also ordered some new gold tipped Litz style headshell leads ($30), and some other stuff.

As soon as I get all the items and get it all assembled and adjusted I will tell all how it all worked out. I am darn near positive that I will love it! I like the old '80 Ortofon sound. For me, it just works! I believe the cart is a bit 'colored', but if it is, I love the way it's colored! Did some research on the M20FL Super and it seems the Europeans really love the cart! All good news so far.

The only way I can describe the 'colored' of these cartridges is: It's kind of like a live performance at the Filmore or Winterland. Kinda sounds that way to me, if that makes any sense. I love the sound. They just sound 'real and alive'. Like a performance.

Now...with just a little luck!!! :>) :thmbsp:

Yeah...I love my SR-838 too. What a TT it is!! Simply outstanding in everyway. And it sounds crazy but they just put a smile on your face when you just see it, or play it, or even think about it! LOL They are not 'sleepers', everyone knows about them, but if all the TT guys 'really knew how great they really are', know what I mean. How could you expect any more out of a TT ?? And direct drive and quiet running. Sansui hit a 'grand slam' on these TTs.

No need to 'even think about' looking for another TT. SR-838's are terrific. Just perfect.
 
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Laserdude said:
Here is the original: http://www.williamthakker.eu/Ortofon-NF-15-XE-MK-II-NF15XE-MKII-FF15xE-MKII-Original-Tonn_c10-13-80_p4976_x2.htm
Click to expand...
Laserdude. Thanks for your advice! In all honesty I didn't even see your entry until just now. Somehow with my mouse wheel I just skipped right over it. I ended up buying the NOS M20FL but your advice is appreciated and it is my old cart! Thanks.


I don't know what the mass of the tonearm is. Never have found out. I have been wondering myself.

All I know is that my other Ortofon worked and 'sounded' just fine and the new M20FL Super is the same style so all is perfect on that.

Just wondering how to adjust the cartridge other than overhang, as described in the manual. But I'll get it all figured out when it arrives. I see people using 'protractors' and all but in the Sansui manual they say just set the overhang and azimuth. If that works and sounds good...I'm a happy camper. I really don't even know which protractor to use for the 'S' shaped tonearm.

Also, the guys in Europe said to play with the VTA as described below along with some other comments on the cart...
Person 1: "Here are a few things that can help to all of you to achieve a better performance on your M20FL: the cartridge is 'very sensitive to azimuth changes' and you can't get or even start to have a better cartridge quality performance till you have the cartridge azimuth set up near " perfect ". Try to find the best performance at both frequency extremes with out lose on dead center focus image. This cartridge likes to ride with " ridiculous " high ( very ) VTA/SRA, this is tonearm pivot tilt up in non normal way: don't be afraid to go up with the tonearm pivot. I run my M20FL with a near perfect azimuth and very high VTA/SRA loaded at 100K and with no added phonolinepream capacitance, only the IC phono cable one. Almost no one of you will achieve the real quality performance of the M20FL due to audio system limitations but you can be near of it."

I'm just really so happy that I was able to get this cart. When I broke mine I was thinking, after the initial 'SHOCK'!, "Man, I just 'wish' I could get a another new one just like this one". Yeah, right, no way, keep dreaming. And AK member KlausDK found one! And it's the same style only better. AK is just the greatest!!!!!!

I'll keep you informed.
 
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Hi KlausDK and guys,

I received the 1980 NOS Ortofon 'M20FL Super' cartridge from Germany.

I have it installed now on my Sansui SR-838 and the TT is adjusted now.

I played a few 6 records already. The cart and needle sounds simply wonderful, great, strong, full, real, alive, excellent...'just perfect'! And it has 'exactly the sound' I was looking for, like the sound of my old 1980 Ortofon FE cart I loved. Only...this 'M20FL Super' sounds really Super! :>) I am totally amazed really. I can't wait until it 'breaks in' but I just love the way it sounds right now, right out of the box.

KlausDK:
Thanks for your helping me find this cartridge that was for sale in Germany. You really helped me get 'exactly' what I needed, a top quality 1980 Ortofon, and exactly the sound I love, and even NOS - quite unbelievable really. This is just one fine outstanding sounding cart!! You really helped me greatly Klaus. Thank you again so very very much and your advice is so very much appreciated!! I wouldn't of ever got this cart if you didn't tell me where to find it. Thanks!!

I'm going to be 'extremely careful' with this one.

My 1980 Sansui SR-838 TT is singing the perfect songs again with a 1980 new high quality Ortofon Cart! Just Perfect. :>)
 
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Thanks-you for reporting back. It gives us all closure, and makes us happy to learn that a very very happy camper is among us.

Kudo's to all involved.

Scott T.
 
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