Cartridge for Xpression III

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by bigred7078

Hey guys im looking into getting a new cartridge for the Pro-ject Xpression III that I picked up.

I'm currently looking into some Grado's and Denon's as i get pretty good prices on them.

Grado Gold
Denon DL-103
Denon DL-160

I'm leaning towards the Grado, but i've been reading a lot about hum issues with them and several TT's due to their unshielded design. But yeah any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi bigred,

I have a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge (actually 2), and although there are reports of hum with them on certain tables, I have yet to personally experience this. I have not heard the Denon cartridges, but I am a big fan of the Grado sound.

John

[bigred7078]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi bigred,

I have a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge (actually 2), and although there are reports of hum with them on certain tables, I have yet to personally experience this. I have not heard the Denon cartridges, but I am a big fan of the Grado sound.

John

Yeah, Grado seems to be loved by a lot of people. I talked to some guy at "needledoctor" and asked him about the matchup with the xpression III and Grado and he basically said that its a HORRIBLE matchup and i should get a ortofon...

lol so many opinion.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by bigred7078

Yeah, Grado seems to be loved by a lot of people. I talked to some guy at "needledoctor" and asked him about the matchup with the xpression III and Grado and he basically said that its a HORRIBLE matchup and i should get a ortofon...

lol so many opinion.

If that's what he said, then I would take his advice. I've heard an Expression/Ortofon combo at my dealer and it is very nice.

Another cartridge to consider, if not now, is the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 @ about $299 MSRP.

Here's some of what TAS said about it:

"The No. 2 offers improved resolution, superior three-dimensionality, richer and more potent bass, and smoother, less aggressive highs.".

John

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by John72953

If that's what he said, then I would take his advice. I've heard an Expression/Ortofon combo at my dealer and it is very nice.

Another cartridge to consider, if not now, is the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 @ about $299 MSRP.

Here's some of what TAS said about it:

"The No. 2 offers improved resolution, superior three-dimensionality, richer and more potent bass, and smoother, less aggressive highs.".

John

Hi John,

I seem to remember that Roy Hall (MusicHall) absolutely trashed that Sumiko. I think he referred to it as a total POS. He also specifically castigated the reviewers for all the great things they had been saying about that cartridge. Now, Roy Hall's not God, but I find it curious that he would rail on that particular cartridge so harshly. BTW, he went on to compliment Sumiko for some of their other carts.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

Hi John,

I seem to remember that Roy Hall (MusicHall) absolutely trashed that Sumiko. I think he referred to it as a total POS. He also specifically castigated the reviewers for all the great things they had been saying about that cartridge. Now, Roy Hall's not God, but I find it curious that he would rail on that particular cartridge so harshly. BTW, he went on to compliment Sumiko for some of their other carts.

Yes, I remember that article, and as I mentioned to Richteer last year in a conversation we were having, I am personally not a fan of the Blue Points myself. I always thought they sounded rather harsh in the upper frequencies, which is why I was so attracted to the Grado sound at the time.

Can you audition any of the ones you mentioned on an Expression? That would be ideal!

John

PS ~ I love that TechnoDec Cover....wondering if I could make it work on my Nottingham.

[CasualKiller]

With the table you're looking at it's a weight issue, not so much a hum issue. With Grado designed the way they are they are a very light cartridge and work best with the flimsy type tonearms like the below.



Ortofon, Goldring and the other competition in that range are specifically made to be more "mass market friendly" with the wide assortment of tonearms available. This is the reason why you see these cartridges bundled with the tables fully setup and ready to go, they are a good match.

The Denon DL-103 mentioned above would also be a good match for your TT, but if you go looking at the cheaper carts in the line, the DL-160 would not be.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

With the table you're looking at it's a weight issue, not so much a hum issue. With Grado designed the way they are they are a very light cartridge and work best with the flimsy type tonearms like the below.



Ortofon, Goldring and the other competition in that range are specifically made to be more "mass market friendly" with the wide assortment of tonearms available. This is the reason why you see these cartridges bundled with the tables fully setup and ready to go, they are a good match.

Are you saying my Grado Reference Platinum on a Rega RB250 is the WRONG match or the right one? Is the Rega arm "flimsy' in your opinion? Your post, with all due respect, sounds convoluted at best.

John

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by John72953

...PS ~ I love that TechnoDec Cover....wondering if I could make it work on my Nottingham.

John,
Check your PM's.

[bigred7078]

Originally Posted by John72953

Yes, I remember that article, and as I mentioned to Richteer last year in a conversation we were having, I am personally not a fan of the Blue Points myself. I always thought they sounded rather harsh in the upper frequencies, which is why I was so attracted to the Grado sound at the time.

Can you audition any of the ones you mentioned on an Expression? That would be ideal!

my viennas are pretty laid back IMO. Do you think adding something like the Grado would make it to "dark" sounding?

Maybe something more lively would be a good compliment to my setup? I'm not quite sure.

the audio/video store i work at is a Grado dealer so i can honstly get the carts dirt cheap. Also a denon dealer so similar story, although not as cheap as the grados. I might just buy both and test them out...but i just spend a crap load on new gear and some vinyl to accompany it lol.

[bigred7078]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

Hi John,

I seem to remember that Roy Hall (MusicHall) absolutely trashed that Sumiko. I think he referred to it as a total POS. He also specifically castigated the reviewers for all the great things they had been saying about that cartridge. Now, Roy Hall's not God, but I find it curious that he would rail on that particular cartridge so harshly. BTW, he went on to compliment Sumiko for some of their other carts.

Hmm interesting. Wouldn't that vary from equipment used? I tend to take personal opinions lightly since once persons treasure is another persons trash. Of course Roy Hall isnt the average individual but then again i'm sure many individuals dont have the expectations that he has...