Xpression III + Ortofon 2m Blue

[octaneTom]

This is the thread where you talk me out of buying an Ortofon 2m Blue for my Xpression III.

I'm currently running a Denon 110 on my turntable and I really love the wide, deep articulate sound of it, along with the tracking ability and complete lack of sibilance vs the stock Oyster that is the only other cartridge I have experience with.

The only thing I think might be lacking in my rig right now is bass - I notice the bass is a little deeper and more engaging from my CD player...and I'm wondering if the Denon might be a little "thin" in my setup. The Denon's overall sound beats my CD player - the presentation of music is wider, feels more involving and makes the performers feel more like they are in the room than the digital end of things.

Amp is a Rega Brio. Speakers are PSB T5s. CD player is Harmon Kardon HD 990.

Just curious about the Ortofon as it also gets really good reviews and I'm thinking about making a change to see if I can find an improvement to my analog sound, although I'm pretty happy overall.

Thoughts? Save the money for a phono preamp upgrade?

[Alec124c41]

Felt mat? Try a DIY leather mat.

Cheers,
Alec

[octaneTom]

Currently: no mat, just putting the vinyl down on the acrylic platter. I'll try a leather mat if you think that will improve things...thanks for the suggestion!

[ejk]

OctaneTom

Just curious if you had to use a lighter counter weight with the DL110 or are you using the stock one

[frenchmon]

Octain...read this thread.....the guy had a Denon, tried a Blue, and the Blue won out. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showth ... p?t=394673

[octaneTom]

OctaneTom

Just curious if you had to use a lighter counter weight with the DL110 or are you using the stock one

ejk - I can use the one that came with my Xpression - I have the 65g weight that works for 4-7g cartridges and the Denon is 4.8g (perhaps a bit more since I'm using it with the stylus guard in place.)

[octaneTom]

Octain...read this thread.....the guy had a Denon, tried a Blue, and the Blue won out. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showth ... p?t=394673

Yeah, that's the thread that's got me thinking again, actually. Well that and the original shoot-out thread posted over there.

[ejk]

OctaneTom

Just curious if you had to use a lighter counter weight with the DL110 or are you using the stock one

ejk - I can use the one that came with my Xpression - I have the 65g weight that works for 4-7g cartridges and the Denon is 4.8g (perhaps a bit more since I'm using it with the stylus guard in place.)

Phooey

I have the same set up and just ordered the lighter weight because I cant get the tracking correct

[Henley]

This is the thread where you talk me out of buying an Ortofon 2m Blue for my Xpression III.

I'm currently running a Denon 110 on my turntable and I really love the wide, deep articulate sound of it, along with the tracking ability and complete lack of sibilance vs the stock Oyster that is the only other cartridge I have experience with.

The only thing I think might be lacking in my rig right now is bass - I notice the bass is a little deeper and more engaging from my CD player...and I'm wondering if the Denon might be a little "thin" in my setup. The Denon's overall sound beats my CD player - the presentation of music is wider, feels more involving and makes the performers feel more like they are in the room than the digital end of things.

Amp is a Rega Brio. Speakers are PSB T5s. CD player is Harmon Kardon HD 990.

Just curious about the Ortofon as it also gets really good reviews and I'm thinking about making a change to see if I can find an improvement to my analog sound, although I'm pretty happy overall.

Thoughts? Save the money for a phono preamp upgrade?

A cracking combination and one that we use on many an occasion. Enjoy.

[jackfish]

There are also the Nagaoka MP-150 or the Audio Technica AT440MLa to consider.

[octaneTom]

There are also the Nagaoka MP-150 or the Audio Technica AT440MLa to consider.

Jackfish - how do you like that AT440MLa on yours? What can you compare the sound to?

[octaneTom]

...aaaaaaaand as I sit here right now A/Bing Rodan "Rusty" on the turntable and CD player - an extremely dynamic, intense rock LP — I'm realizing I'm pretty damn happy with where things are at. Bass is solid and tight (and actually almost identical from both units), the high end is a lot more detailed from the turntable (especially evident on the ride cymbal - the CD player is tending to round things off, for lack of a better descriptor), and the overall presentation is wider/deeper/bigger with the turntable.

I guess I'll stop obsessing and put that money toward a SpeedBox — or better yet, more vinyl.

Cheers

[jackfish]

There are also the Nagaoka MP-150 or the Audio Technica AT440MLa to consider.

Jackfish - how do you like that AT440MLa on yours? What can you compare the sound to?

I'm glad you are finding the Denon 110 to your liking. Sometimes things just get better after some time to experience more and reflect.

The AT440MLa on the Expression III seems to me to be a good match. Concerns about over-brightness seem unfounded as I find the high end to be extended with no brightness. Of course, I am a 57 year old with tinnitus and diminished high frequency hearing. But my wife never has said it sounds bright or harsh. I find the midrange to be neutral, and the bass response is clean and tight with no muddiness. It is also very detailed, has impressive dynamics and tracks all records with aplomb. It makes the stock Oyster seem like such a pathetic little thing. The Microline stylus is the real deal, now I kinda wish I got the AT150MLX. The AT-OC9ML/II at $400 was real tempting as well, but I likely would have had to find a better MC circuit.

[octaneTom]

Nice - thanks for the write up, good to know if I decide I need a change.

I had pretty much narrowed down my upgrade choice to a 2m Blue, DL110 and the 440mla. In the end it came down to my bargain-hunter ways as they all got really good reviews (the 110 and 440mla more than the blue) — I found someone on AudioKarma selling a new 110 for $115 shipped and couldn't pass it up.

I was blown away by the Denon after suffering through the Oyster that came on the table - I couldn't believe how much MORE was on every LP. Tracks like a champ, too - there's one LP I have by Autolux that gets almost silent on the last song on side 2 then bursts into a crescendo. My old turntable/cartridge would actually choke and spit the cartridge out of the groove and mistrack...the Xpression+Oyster distorted to the point it was almost unlistenable...but the Denon just breezes on through.

I've really enjoyed getting back into vinyl after a 15 year hiatus, but am beginning to fee a bit like an addict...