TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- Ortofons and lousy speakers
Ortofons and lousy speakers
Is it worth getting Ortofon concordes if I'm using lousy 3-way speakers with my setup? Will it like be a constraint to the greatness of these needles?
ortofons don't only give you a great sound but when configured right, they hardly ever skip... i'd say it's worth buying them
| quote: |
| Originally posted by [BE]FusioN`-- ortofons don't only give you a great sound but when configured right, they hardly ever skip... i'd say it's worth buying them |
define "lousy". It's not just the speakers that are going to matter. How's the amp?
I hook my setup to a Sony HiFi system with a built in amp. Alright the speakers aren't CRAP but they aren't like JBLs, cerwin vegas or anything..
I'm currently using stanton AL-IIs and I'm wondering if I would have been better off dishing out more cash on needles.
I have $1400 JBL speakers, a Denon amp, and when I upgraded from ALII's I really didn't notice that much of a sound quality difference. The new needles were just a bit louder. If your setup isn't all that expensive i wouldn't worry too much about dropping a couple hundred bucks on better needles.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by rafale they aren't like JBLs, cerwin vegas or anything.. |
decent needles are always an investment if you treat them well, keep them clean, never transport them without the cases, etc. I'd say get them if you can afford them.
It's kind of like this.. great needles + crappy speakers = the best possible sound that those crappy things can produce
or, the same as..
hook an 8-track to a wicked stereo system, it's still gonna sound like sh!t, but it will be best sounding 8track on the planet when compared to other setups :)
-=:EPoC:=-
I'd personally buy needles that best suit the system that you're spinning on. It's like buying the most expensive car just to drive down gravel roads. Since you're never going to get to use the preformance of a ferarri then why buy one when a pickup truck will cost you 1/50th the price and will do just a good of a job.
The main reason why I would get better needles is that usually the higher quality stuff has also had research done on it to reduce the wear on your records. That alone should be a reason to justify such a purchase.
Cheers
Nem
do ALII's really wear the record that badly?
Admittedly probably not massively, but there are other benefits too such as improved tracking. Good equipment is good equipment and you often get what you pay for in this business.
I also always thought that the Stanton stuff sounded a bit 'muddy' in my ears in comparison to the Ortofon stuff.
I would say it's worth upgrading the speakers and stuff too but most of us can't afford to do it in one swoop so I guess the needles is probably as good a place to start as any. Assuming that rafale is using Technics? If not then upgrade the decks before anything else.
Cheers
Nem
yeah I'm using technics ...
The thing is... I didn't plan on splashing on Ortofons as I just spent a bit getting my decks n mixer. I had a choice between Shure m447s and the AL-IIs which were around the same price (Initial choice was m44Gs but they were out of stock).
After reading many reviews I shunned the m447s just coz they were scratch needles so i got the AL-IIs. Now I'm getting people telling me that the m447s are way better than the AL-IIs in terms of sound quality, and for the same price should have gone with the m447s. Can anyone verify this?
But as for my next needles I'm definitely getting Concordes.
Actually from my own experience I will say that you made the right choice.
I used to be a turntablist and had the Shure M447s. Whilst they do have supperior sound to any of the cartridges you mentioned in your previous post the problem with them is the way you have to mount them. You actually have to twist the cart about 27 to 30 degrees to ensure that it doesn't skip all over the place. This can have an impact on the way the cartridge wears the records and I found in a lot of cases it used to wear the outside (Or inside, can't remember which) groove of the record. It's all to do with how centrifugal forces work but can't remember where I read it. It's a fact that turntablists wear out records anyway so it's a common problem whatever needles you use.
The other thing about the shures is the way you have to distribute the weight with them. Again, they become quite heavy on the record which adds additional wear.
The downside for you though is that the shures have a better re-sale value than the ones you currently have.
I use concordes frequently at the places I work and I also have them at home. I have no complaints with them. Also Shure White labels are nice but I hear that they still have a few teething problems.
Come to think of it, it seems that way with a lot of the shure stuff, it's damn good but there is sometimes a little minor niggle there.
There are also people who will say that Ortofons are crap and bla bla bla you get the picture. If you can, ask for a demonstration in the shop and make up your own mind.
Cheers
Nem
Thanks for your opinion Nem. I guess whats done is done and I'll just haveto be happy with my AL-IIs for the time being.
And by the way, my AL-IIs skip quite a bit though and I have to use a 1g weight for each needle plus 3g on the counterweight. Is that too heavy in your opinion..?
No, you should be ok.
Naturally it will create more wear on your records but to be honest it probably wont be that noticable if you notice it at all.
As turntablists we even put coins on top of the cart to stop them from skipping. That however causes major damage to both stylus and record.
Cheers
Nem
I would suggest concordes for the non skipping element anyway, the sound quality is also a huge bonus
Highly recommended- i use them every night with no problems
Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.