My sister just broke one of my stylii. I was gunna upgrade my cartridges anyway. I don't know what brand these ones are, They're gemini, nothing to brag about but they were doing the job of letting me practice... Just got my mixer about 3 Weeks ago, so they were fairly new....
Anyways... I wanted to get Ortofon Nighclubs. However these are kinda pricey, and was thinking of getting another model of Ortofons as i understand when it comes time to replace those stylii I could alwaysbuy nightclub ones.
Soooo... what I am asking is what are some good cartridges to buy? And where is a site based in US Perferably that has good prices...
Jan-13-2003 02:53
sot
shure!
Registered: Sep 2000
Location: and why see
Get the Ortofon concorde's. I have em and there fucking great in terms of quality of sound and durability. I highly recomend these. If you live near a guitar center, i highly recomend you goto www.123dj.com check out the price on the ortofon concordes than print it out than goto guitar center and buy them there because they gurantee the lowest price. That's the best way to do things.
If you already have a set of headshells & you aren't looking to drop a bunch of money...I'd recommend picking up a pair of Shure M44Gs. They aren't as sexy as the Ortofons...but they have crystal clear highs and deep lows. I just purchased a pair, and I'm extremely satisfied with the clarity. They are also the easiest on your vinyl. I don't think you can buy a cartride that does less damage to your records. Even with their low tracking weight, the things just don't skip (assuming you have your tonearm balanced correctly). I don't want to start an argument with Ortofon users, hell, I think Ortofons are awesome. However, I've heard on various TA forums that the Ortofon needles wear down a bit faster than other needles...causing you to replace your styli more often.
I do the same thing that fellow TA Sot does...I research the product I want to buy, find the lowest price on the internet, print it out, and then bring it to Guitar Center so they can price match it. They were selling the M44Gs for $75/each. I found a place online (click here ) that sells them for 45/each. So, essentially I saved $60...that's 6 extra records I can buy now!
You can probably find them cheaper elsewhere...if you dig deep enough.
Last edited by u4ea on Jan-17-2003 at 15:11
Jan-17-2003 15:03
MERiDiAN5i2
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Texas, USA
$45 is about the best you'll get for M44Gs - thats an EXCELLENT deal too.
seriously though, the M44Gs are nice. they track really well and dont wear your records.
the ortofon's DO sound better, though! My preference in the ortofon line is the scratch ones (they red ones) - they track really well and sound grrr-eat!
check eBay - I've seen LOTS of new ortofon's go cheaply!
Jan-17-2003 20:20
The Greener
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Vancouver
If you plan on getting new carts get bannana's, and leave the headshell era behind (unless you require turntable fidelity Quality beyond DJ quality setups).
1) any elliptical ortofon (not sure if they even make spherical)
2) Groovemaster II's, NOT Scratchmaster's(spherical) the GrooveII's(elliptical)are more $
3)(anything with elliptical and NOT spherical stylii)
Jan-18-2003 09:38
JohnSmith
Agent Smith
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Kamloops
Except that elliptical stylii wear your records more!
I think i want to try getting some elliptical tips, and putting them on my stanton TMIISK carts.
then i can use the SK ones for practicing at home, and the elliptical ones for playing out or recording.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Except that elliptical stylii wear your records more!
I think i want to try getting some elliptical tips, and putting them on my stanton TMIISK carts.
then i can use the SK ones for practicing at home, and the elliptical ones for playing out or recording.
I thought the deal was that elliptical needles wear out your records less in the long run?
Jan-18-2003 19:19
Arsalan
debsh - toronto
Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto
quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Except that elliptical stylii wear your records more!
I think i want to try getting some elliptical tips, and putting them on my stanton TMIISK carts.
then i can use the SK ones for practicing at home, and the elliptical ones for playing out or recording.
i read this review from this site and i think it was posted here so try a search...
anyways it said if you start playing your records with an elliptical tip then you will get better sound all the time but if you start with a spherical(or whatever) tip and then use eliptical tip it wouldn't make a dif in the sound, so pick 1 type and then stick to that unless you have tons of money
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Except that elliptical stylii wear your records more!
I think i want to try getting some elliptical tips, and putting them on my stanton TMIISK carts.
then i can use the SK ones for practicing at home, and the elliptical ones for playing out or recording.
Elliptical stylii wear LESS because the shape has More contact area in the Groove.
Spherical wear MORE because the shape allows point contact. less surface contact creating more friction.
DO the RESEARCH YOURSELF. Don't take what I or anyone says, but base your choice on your FACTS not speculation from others. I always do the reasearch, weigh the cost & benifits, and I went Elliptical.
Yo John Smith I haven't forgot buot' letting you use my GII Stylus. Will PM later
Jan-19-2003 00:17
sym
Time for Revolution
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
So do Nightclub Concorde S's wear significantly on your records? I'm just using them for practice, but my parents said they would buy me a new set of carts since my sis broke mine...
Jan-20-2003 23:28
Tsunami One
Saturn Decends...
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: melbourne
you get what you pay for.. if you have got the cash get the best. saves you $ in the long run as well.