Good cheap LOMC cartridges?

[Phoca]

Anyone have a suggestion for me? I'm on a very limited budget but would like to give low output MC a try (I have a Denon DL110 which I like very much, but it's HOMC). I have a Thorens TD-165 that it would probably go on and a Rega Fono MC (full MC stage, not a step-up) that I got for a song on ebay a few years back. I never ended up using it, and now I'm considering either selling it or trying it out depending on what cartridge I can get for it. So I'm coming to you all for your recommendations.

Thanks a ton.

[raphaelmabo]

Well, the first that comes to my mind is the Denon DL-103.

[krenzler]

Not many low-cost LOMC's on the market. No getting around mentioning the old war-horse Denon DL-103 obviously. Especially if your TD165 is the MkI variant with highish effective mass (16.5g) TP11 arm (as in the picture).



The TP11 MkIII arm on the later TD165 MkII was lower eff. mass and perhaps not as well suited to the low compliance DL-103.

Seems the Rega Fono MC is factory set at 100 ohms so should work well with most cartridges.

Another option is the new low cost offerings from Ortofon - MC Vivo Red & Blue. The difference between the two being a bonded elliptical tip on the Red and a nude elliptical on the Blue (slightly better tracking and HF response).

And Audio Technica's entry MC is the Audio Technica AT-F3/III.

Personally I only have experience with the Denon out of the above mentioned.

[bauzace50]

+1 vote for Denon DL-103, too. Around $230.00, or so. I perceive it as a special performer and some people consider it a living legend. There are real reasons why enthusiasts keep on purchasing it.

Regards,
bauzace50

[gofar99]

Perhaps a Benz Micro MC Gold. Not all that costly and has a moderately high compliance.

[HT Performance]

My recomendation is the AudioTechnica AT-OC9 MKII .

This cartridge is something very special by only looking at its specifications!

Of course i´ve heard it, or I wouldn´t write here

Specifications: •Mounting: standard 1/2"
•Stylus: MicroLine
•Frequency Response: 15Hz-50kHz
•Stylus Construction: Nude Square Shank
•Cantilever: Gold Plated Solid Boron
•Output Voltage: 0.4 mV @ 1kHz, 5cm/s
•Channel Separation: 21 dB @ 10 kHz 31 dB @ 1kHz
•Channel Balance: 1dB @ 1kHz
•Tracking Force: 1.25-1.75g
•Dynamic Compliance: 9 cm/dyne
•Load Impedance: 20 ohms
•Weight: 8g


Link: http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-OC9-MKII-Cartridge?sc=2&category=402

Its performance is very close to the famous AT33EV!

Right now on sale with $200USD off!!!


Cheers!

Miguel

P.S. - Hi Bruce!!!

[Phoca]

Thanks, all. My Thorens has the older TP-11 arm, the 16.5g one, so the DL-103 might be the best bet at this point. But I'm always thinking there are others out there that I don't know about. The other options are good suggestions, but for now beyond my price point. I've long thought about the AT33EV, as I've read some strong positives about it, but hadn't considered the OC9. For the future I'd still be interested in other $400-600 or so LOMC carts. I doubt I'll ever go the >$1000 cart route as my wife wouldn't be too happy and my aging ears probably wouldn't notice anyway...

[nabil]

I've owned an OC9mlii and can say that it is a very nice cartridge. I have since moved on to a more expensive cartridge but have fond memories of the audio technica. In the right system there is nothing in its price range that can touch it.

[satanfriendly]

Perhaps a Benz Micro MC Gold

I really must listen to one of these one day. If they are anything as good as the now discontinued MC20L from Benz it could be a winner.

As for the OC9, brilliant, in the right system though as it could be total kill in a system leaning towards a brighter balance. Needs a very neutral system to make it work at its best, and a better phono stage than the Rega in all honesty. It deserves the best you can throw at it.

Have you thought about used? Some 'up the scale' MC's can be had for good prices. Of course there is always a 'chance' to be taken, but so far so good for me.

It also depends how much are you willing to pay?

[gofar99]

Hi The Benz currently goes for about $375 and is made for Benz in Japan. Still a rather competent performer. Clean bottom end and surprisingly good mids and uppers. I won't get rid of my Dynavector for it, but a good listenable LOMC. I would list it as mostly neutral when compared to the others I have (Grado Reference Platinum - smooth, Dynavector 10X5 - crisp and fast). BTW and a little OT... I recently put the Grado in an Origin Live arm and the sound is really quite different from what you usually expect a Grado to sound like. Far more neutral and much better detail. Quite a surprise. Far better on strings and female vocals than I have ever heard from a Grado. I suspect much of the change is related to high compliance and minimal resonances of the arm.

[v1nn1e]

Another thumbs up for the Benz Gold.

Thoroughly enjoyable and even handed

[gabriel1998]

I second the denon 103. Here is a video of my Denon 103 in a wood Body. Remember when you listen to this, Youtube Compresses the hell out of it and its not even close to what's going on in my living room. I also have a Denon 103R and a 103D. The denon 103D is being sent to get a Line Contact stylus on a Ruby Cantilever.

Denon 103. Needle Drop recording:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1LLvnjvEaU

Denon 103D: This is not a needle drop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1LiwWo4sEk

[Phoca]

Bruce, I've only seen the Benz Micro at $425. Can you point to a source at $375? That's getting closer to my current budget and may be doable.

As for used, I'm sure you're right but I don't think I can gamble with the kind of $$ they go for on ebay, low as that may be relative to new. Not sure what other sources there are for used MC carts.

[Phoca]

I second the denon 103. Here is a video of my Denon 103 in a wood Body. Remember when you listen to this, Youtube Compresses the hell out of it and its not even close to what's going on in my living room. I also have a Denon 103R and a 103D. The denon 103D is being sent to get a Line Contact stylus on a Ruby Cantilever.

Denon 103. Needle Drop recording:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1LLvnjvEaU

Denon 103D: This is not a needle drop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1LiwWo4sEk

Took a look at a few of your videos. How hard was the body replacement for the 103? Also, what are those output tubes on your amp?

BTW, anyone have any experience with the Le Pacific MC pre-preamp (it's a 2sk170 FET based step-up preamp, which I'm considering building as a replacement for the Rega)? You can see the schematic here, about halfway down: http://diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/JFET- ... reamp.html It'd go into my tube phono stage (right now a Yaqin MS-12B, but I'll DIY something else before too long). I'm mostly a DIY guy, in part to save $$, and because I like to try lots of different styles before deciding what I like.

Thanks again for all the help!