What is the difference between a matched pair of cartridges and 2 single cartridges? Other than that the matched pair are more expensive, is the sound quality still the same? Im confused please give some advice, thanks!

what types of carts are you talking about? the only "matched" needles that i know of are the Gold ortofons which are supposed to be harmonically identical. but ive used them in the booth at my record store and i cant tell a difference between those and the nightclubs or the DJs.

unless you want to drop an obscene amout of money on those Ortofon Golds (which i think is stupid) you should have no probelms with 2 carts in different packaging.

and i think this goes without saying, but just buy two of the same make and model carts and you will be fine. if you need recomendations on what carts to buy, please use the search button instead of doing a "what needles should i buy" thread. and i only say that because i see you are a new member.

im thinking about getting a pair of the Stanton Trackmaster II -RS but in 2 separate packaging. im wondering if buying the Stanton Trackmaster II RS-MP4, which are the matched pair, is better than buying 2 separate ones of the same type of cartridge?

Do yourself a favor and NOT buy any Staton cart that ends in "master". you will not be happy. you can save yourself some headaches and some money by picking up some M44Gs (sound good, easy on your records), or some Ortofons (any of them are better than trackmasters). if you get the headshell mount Ortofons you can find them for relatively cheap.

If you end up getting Trackmasters let us know what you think.

I have a trackmaster sk II, wouldn't recommend it.

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what types of mixing are these cartridges good for?

trackmasters arent really all that good for any type of mixing. they will jump out of the groove when you are cueing up your record and the sound quality is not the best. i think that groovemaster rm's sound pretty decent (more bass than the trackmaster sk's) but they still dont hold a groove very well. you have to put too much weight on the stylus to keep them down, this ends up wearing down your records.

now what about the Trackmaster II - RS, how does that compare to the SK or Groovemaster RM? Which is the better out of the 3? Dont elliptical needles cause less record wear?

All stanton "concord" style carts are bad. I use to own a trackmaster 2, and to me it sounded more distorted and tracked worse than my 520sk. Check out something like shure whitelabels, really great imaging and clear. Or if you do want elipical, get a pair of ortofon nightclub-e carts.

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quote:

Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot. He who laughs last thinks slowest!

i've never used trackmaster rs' but if i had to guess i would say the groovemasters are probably better than any of the trackmasters. the spherical vs. elliptical debate i am not even going to touch. someone else can open that can of worms.

btw.... why are you so set on Stantons? They look good, and the little plexiglass case is cool but thats where it ends.