PauliD Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Hey everyone, looking for some recommendations on which stylus to upgrade to from an Ortofon 2m Red. Why? Well I was listening to Ryhe's 'Song for you' on my CXN from Spotify and thought I'd quickly pop on the vinyl version I have for an A-B. IMHO the digital won, better voice and midrange clarity and sound stage. I was a little disappointed. The phono pre I'm using is the Elekit TU-8500 https://www.elekit.co.jp/en/product/TU-8500 with some Tung Sol tubes. I have the option to run the streamer through the pre as well and it enhances the vocals in a nice way compare to balanced straight into the CXA80. So I'm thinking the pre is cool and the stylus needs some looking at. The turny is a Technics SL1200 I have had since late 90's that I brought new ( I flipped many a McDonalds burger to get it!). Not really a option to change tables at this stage. The Ortofon Blue is next step up the chain but I'm not loyal to Ortofon by any means, but that is within my budget. Any recommendations or should I save up more to really get something that would make a improvement? I have 5 crates of records and want my invested to sound as good or better that a 320 MP3. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieMick Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Hi there! I know quite a few 1200 users with the Nagaoka 500 who are super happy, and a few who are using the Denon 103 or Hana carts who are also really happy. If you like Ortofon, why not consider the 2M Bronze or Black. They’re both obviously superior to the Red and Blue, with buckets more detail, more stable imaging. Finally, have you had your 1200 serviced recently? At 20-30 years old, it might really help. It’s a nice problem to have. Enjoy the hunt!Mick. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauliD Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 Thanks Mick I’ll have a look at those carts you mentioned. Can Any Sydneysiders recommend at place to get my turntable serviced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I dont know if they suit your TT but the Garrott Brothers carts are excellent. Well worth looking into. Ive got a k2, P77i. Ive had 2m red, blue and black in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Was using a 2M Black on my 1200mk2 for a while before I acquired the Denon DP75. It sounded really, really good. Different to the 103R on my Denon of course in the typical characteristic way of the black. A bronze would probably be the sweet spot I think, more fun and rocky, warmer with slightly less detail than the black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltech Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) There are plenty of phono cartridge demonstrations on YouTube. Check it this guy's playlist. He demonstrates plenty of cartridges. Edited June 4, 2019 by eltech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardiiiii Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I'd be interested in possible upgrade advice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Thorens Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Very interesting YouTube channel. Maybe I'm biased, but do the Ortofons seem to sound the most natural and detailed - except for the AT OC9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieMick Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 It’s interesting at the one person’s accurate is another person’s cold. Some people love Nagaoka carts and some find them too warm. I seem to be a bit strange amongst my vinyl loving friends for enjoying all of them and finding their strengths fascinating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 8 hours ago, Mr Thorens said: Very interesting YouTube channel. Maybe I'm biased, but do the Ortofons seem to sound the most natural and detailed - except for the AT OC9 My Rock has an AT OC9 III fitted, sounded OK the other weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Thorens Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 30 minutes ago, Batty said: My Rock has an AT OC9 III fitted, sounded OK the other weekend Sure did. I still like my Ortofon Bronze too, different sound. One day I would like to upgrade further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I'm thinking of putting the V15 III / Jico SAS/SS on the Rock. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 16 hours ago, PauliD said: Well I was listening to Ryhe's 'Song for you' on my CXN from Spotify and thought I'd quickly pop on the vinyl version I have for an A-B. IMHO the digital won, better voice and midrange clarity and sound stage. I was a little disappointed. I use Spotify Premium and found it lacks resolution in every way compared to my turntable using the cartridges I have.I do use it for background music and sometimes I'll sit down if something comes up that I like. I reckon you have another problem besides your cartridge. Your table might not be isolated properly. Sounds like a high noise floor to me. Also, See if you can borrow another phono pre that is known to be good and try that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLAH BLAH Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 16 minutes ago, Batty said: I'm thinking of putting the V15 III / Jico SAS/SS on the Rock. Anyone know if i could fit one of those on a Sansui SR-929 or an 838?!? Cheers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) I have an unused Ortofon 2M Silver cart which is surplus to needs. It was supplied OEM with my previous TT but I already had a higher spec Audio Technica cart to use. These are a Pro-Ject exclusive cart which is basically a 2M Red/Blue body with upgraded silver internals similar the bronze and black. Stylus is apparently the same as the red but a blue stylus can be fitted to lift closer to bronze performance. PM if interested as I was going to put this in the classifieds soon. Edited June 5, 2019 by blybo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauliD Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 @Wimbo good idea to try another cart before purchasing to narrow down the issue. The only problem is my only other audiophile mate's cart cost more than my entire setup so I can't see him lending it to me after being professional installed. BTW I know vinyl is superior to spotify thats why I'm here to help to get that happening. But I am no means a golden ear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Thorens Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Some Ortofon dealers have the full range to try out one by one on an Ortofon TT (I think it's a rebadged higher end Project). Challenge HiFi in Adelaide did that with me and I could then hear that the Q Bronze>2M black>2M Bronze>>Quintet Blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 1 hour ago, PauliD said: @Wimbo good idea to try another cart before purchasing to narrow down the issue. The only problem is my only other audiophile mate's cart cost more than my entire setup so I can't see him lending it to me after being professional installed. BTW I know vinyl is superior to spotify thats why I'm here to help to get that happening. But I am no means a golden ear Phono stage, not cartridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koputai Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 2 hours ago, blybo said: I have an unused Ortofon 2M Grey cart which is surplus to needs. It was supplied OEM with my previous TT but I already had a higher spec Audio Technica cart to use. These are a Pro-Ject exclusive cart which is basically a 2M Blue with upgraded silver internals. As replacement stylus's are available for these you could potentially get a bronze stylus and my Grey for around the price of a new Bronze, and get above bronze performance. PM if interested as I was going to put this in the classifieds soon. Just for clarity, the Grey is for 78's. As per the other thread, the one you have is a Silver, which is an improved Red, and sits between the Red and the Blue. You can't fit a Bronze stylus in a Silver body. From the Ortofon website: https://www.ortofon.com/stylus-2m-silver-p-396 2M series styli are interchangeable within the below combinations: - 2M Red, 2M Blue and 2M Silver - 2M Bronze and 2M Black - 2M Mono and 2M 78 Cheers, Jason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauliD Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 1 hour ago, koputai said: - 2M Red, 2M Blue and 2M Silver - 2M Bronze and 2M Black - 2M Mono and 2M 78 That is good stuff to know! I thought any 2M all had the same cartridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 2 hours ago, koputai said: Just for clarity, the Grey is for 78's. As per the other thread, the one you have is a Silver, which is an improved Red, and sits between the Red and the Blue. You can't fit a Bronze stylus in a Silver body. From the Ortofon website: https://www.ortofon.com/stylus-2m-silver-p-396 2M series styli are interchangeable within the below combinations: - 2M Red, 2M Blue and 2M Silver - 2M Bronze and 2M Black - 2M Mono and 2M 78 Cheers, Jason. Sorry, yes it is a silver, my apologies. I'll correct my original post. Ortofon are being a bit deceptive I feel. The stylus styles/types are different, but I've read in many websites that 2M stylus' are all interchangeable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlov Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 If your tonearm has VTA adjustment then the Ortofon Black should be a big upgrade, I have one listed in the classifieds section, it has low usage as it wasn't compatible with my system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieMick Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 The Ortofon stylus system means all of the 2M series is interchangeable. HOWEVER!!! The body for the bronze and black is of a different material than for red/blue. It improves performance significantly by better dealing with resonance. So yes, you can put a black stylus on a red body, but you’ll be missing out of a lot of performance. This is why Ortofon day they’re not interchangeable. In this case, “interchangeable” and “they fit” are two very different things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Thorens Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 4 hours ago, hlov said: If your tonearm has VTA adjustment then the Ortofon Black should be a big upgrade, I have one listed in the classifieds section, it has low usage as it wasn't compatible with my system. You mean this? It’s a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlov Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mr Thorens said: You mean this? It’s a bargain. Thanks mate, yes that's mine 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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