P-Mount Suggestions please

[producer_ben]

Hello All
I have a Technics SL6, second hand and I want to get a different cartridge for it. I currently like the sound of the AT44mla (which is running on my rega) and want something of equivilent tonal and sonic performance. I appologies if this has been asked somewhere else, please re-direct me if so, other than that, all ideas and suggestions welcomed. In case it makes any difference, I only have capabilities for MM carts at present.
Thanks again
Ben

[lini]

Well, you could still get a priceworthy AT102P series body in form of the SS315E/U from Jettsales for 30 bucks (not sure though, whether the SS315E/U still has the older body version with LC-OFC or already the newer with PC-OCC...). If space allows in your SL6 (not sure), you can use AT120 family needles on that body just as well, including the ATN440ML(a). If there's not enough space, you're limited to the 102P series needles, of which I'd recommend all higher quality ones from the ATN132EP up. To my knowledge, there's only one MicroLine needle in the 102P series though - that's the ATN152MLP, which is one class higher than the ATN440ML(a) and has a beryllium cantilever, but is also pretty rare and not quite cheap...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[flavio81]

Hello All
I have a Technics SL6, second hand and I want to get a different cartridge for it. I currently like the sound of the AT44mla (which is running on my rega) and want something of equivilent tonal and sonic performance. I appologies if this has been asked somewhere else, please re-direct me if so, other than that, all ideas and suggestions welcomed. In case it makes any difference, I only have capabilities for MM carts at present.
Thanks again
Ben

Many options
- Fit a Jico SAS stylus (search it) for the current Technics cartridge. Those Technics cartridges are really good.

- Ortofon X1-MCP high output moving coil

- Ortofon OM30 (p-mount). Or buy a OM5 (p mount) and a 30 series stylus.

- Any typical p-mount Audio Technica with the Micro Line stylus manufactured by AT. (Something like AT3472ML).

- Any typical p-mount Audio Technica with an aftermarket Shibata Stylus.

- Ortofon 320

- The best pickering/stanton offerings with the stereohedron stylus.

[producer_ben]

Thanks guys for all your helpfull comments and suggestions, it's time for me to get googling. If anyone else wishes to add more, by all means.
Thanks again
Ben

[1200y3]

You can acheive a micro ridge p-mount by putting a JICO V15xMR SAS replacement onto a Shure M92E cartridge. I have not heard one though.

For the most part it is only experimental, but Shure stuck to a standard.

[lini]

Ben: Well, if you google for all the suggestions: The specs for the Ortofon 320 usually claim it to sport a nude FineLine tip (both on the Ortofon web site and on a lot of dealer sites). However, in fact it's only a bonded one (hence also the comparatively low price for the nedle). It's nevertheless quite a nice sounding cart, though...

Well, and if you're open to other suggestions as well: Williamthakker apparently offers the Empire 1080LT again at the moment - for 129 Euro over here (export price might be a good bit cheaper depending on your location, 'cause those 129 Euro already include our 19 % VAT...). And they also still have the Technics EPC-P550 for 149 Euro - that's a pretty fine high quality cart as well...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[fscl]

1200y3 writes:

You can acheive a micro ridge p-mount by putting a JICO V15xMR SAS replacement onto a Shure M92E cartridge. I have not heard one though.

I wanted to throw Grado P-mounts into the mix as another manufacturer. If I need to experiment with additional P-mounts this is my next purchase... or better yet visit from Santa (yes, I still believe )

1200y3 is there a reason you haven't recommended Grado?

The SL turntable is actually very well built and although not a SP 10/Rega, it has the small arm for excellent warp and vertical tracking. The low mass arm is a nice feature too, and a Grado Gold P-mount sounds better on the SL than many other higher turntables.

Lifted from another Technics linear discussion and wondering if you still like Grado P-mounts on Technics linears?

Fred

[1200y3]

Of course I prefer Grado, but it is $220 USD for a Gold.

An M92E is a great spare and $30 with a $15 stylus that tracks all old crappy records. It will also accept most other Shure styli, and the tall block (knob) on the N92E stylus has a tighter sound for stereo (latest design).

Grado's are (in my eyes) better for serious quality clean records for the simple fact that Grados bring out vinyl's quality and they are an MI.

Shure is great for experimenting with and "playing around", but Grados are fragile and can not handle too much handling. A Shure could not possibly break because it is potted. The potting does reduce the open sound because it is mass (comparing with the Grado.)

Grado is the alternative to an MC and Grado was an MC pioneer.

Yes I enjoy the SL for its low mass short arm, but I consider it general purpose and low profile. It is difficult to "soup up", but it fits anywhere.

For the price of a night out I can purchase an M92E and have it forever, or even an A/T 3482P (which has a nice warm carbon fiber sound for older tinny records). They are good enough while I pray for a VDH! (or even a Grado-Gold ,Sonata, or even a red!)

Whether I still like them or not is relative to time. I lost it a year ago, but I am positive I liked it better than the V15xMR and all others I have had and have (Ortofon Om, Shure, A/T) But don't expect it to be worth anything for flea market records. Grado shose its system for what they callled "cartridge holography" and transparency, and minimum record coupling (contact). Grado's compliance is well controlled in four planes.

[flavio81]

Technics EPC-P550 for 149 Euro - that's a pretty fine high quality cart as well...

WINNER!!

[flavio81]

You can acheive a micro ridge p-mount by putting a JICO V15xMR SAS replacement onto a Shure M92E cartridge. I have not heard one though.

Interesting recommendation. But note that the P-mount specifies an exact location for the stylus tip (respective to the cartridge mount), i don't know if, after fitting the "alien" stylus, the tip will still be on the same position than when using the original stylus.

And if they are not in the same position, the cartridge will be misaligned (there is no way to change cartridge alignment with a p-mount).

[producer_ben]

Hi All,
Again, thanks to EVERYONE for all your usefull comments and related info.In all honesty I'm confusing myself (it's easily done!) . You see I'm being told from other sources that the EPC-P23 cartridge that comes in the SL6 is actually really good, but the EPS-23ES stylus they ship it with is a pile of pants. So just to add to this thread, are there any STYLI that are BETTER than the one Technics supply with the SL6 that will fit into the existing cartridge, but make the turntable sing as opposed to "SSSHHHHing" ? Again all recomendations are so greatly welcomed. Just added the Thakker site to my favorites

[fscl]

Information OVERLOAD.....

As mentioned from other new members, you meet the nicest members @ VE.

SO here goes for a new / better stylus tip for the EPC P 23.

http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/s ... cts_id=625

Click on SAS to find out what it's all about.

Also check out flavio's new sticky for an explanation of stylus shapes....Do the other forums have this kind of dedication?

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22894

Good luck.

Fred and happy with JICO standard elliptical replacement for my EPC P 22 as I got the cartridge body used and didn't know if it was good so took a chance on the standard replacement for my SL-QL1 and make sure the SL 6 has been de-oldgreased, relubed with functioning belt or rubberband.....as you do not want to drag, skip the Super Analog Stylus across the grooves......

[flavio81]

So just to add to this thread, are there any STYLI that are BETTER than the one Technics supply with the SL6 that will fit into the existing cartridge, but make the turntable sing as opposed to "SSSHHHHing" ? Again all recomendations are so greatly welcomed. Just added the Thakker site to my favorites

Yes, the JICO SAS for the technics, as fred has said to you, that should be your #1 choice and will transform your cart into top class material,

also a lower cost alternative that should sound very good is the Shibata (for that technics) that is sold on turntableneedles.com:
http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle- ... _3717.html

a third option would be the hyperelliptical sold by LP gear; i tried it and it was clean (no sibilance), but it did not track loud passages very well.

[producer_ben]

....Do the other forums have this kind of dedication?

Absolutely not (to my knowledge, which is why I love this place, it's my FIRST point of call with ANYTHING turntable related and usually my last
You guys are so knowledgeable and approachable, thanks again