Cartridge Recommendation for VPI Classic

[Johnny Vinyl]

Since it more than likely that you won't be able to audition the cartridges you're interested in, I'd suggest nailing down your requirements in terms of musical characteristics and read any reviews for hints on whether one of them comes closest to your preference.

If you purchase one from any of the major online sites, like AcousticSounds, etc., will they allow you to send it back for a full refund within a certain timeframe? Or is that not possible with cartridges?

John

[joe1515]

I spoke with Mike from VPI a few times (great guy very helpful) and based on my musical preferences and tastes he recommended the Benz Micro Glider medium output. As well as my local dealer who I purchased the table from, and the 2009 analog issue from The Absolute Sound had a great write up.

So I placed the order. Now I am going to sell my blue point # 2 cartridge.

Thanks for everyones help!

[rded]

We Want pictures of your crazy upgrades, darnnit!!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by joe1515

I spoke with Mike from VPI a few times (great guy very helpful) and based on my musical preferences and tastes he recommended the Benz Micro Glider medium output. As well as my local dealer who I purchased the table from, and the 2009 analog issue from The Absolute Sound had a great write up.

So I placed the order. Now I am going to sell my blue point # 2 cartridge.

Thanks for everyones help!

Congrats Joe! I'll bet it's going to sound sublime! I'm with Rhett as to pictures....lots of pictures (preferably audio embedded... )

John

[joe1515]

Once I have everything set up I will post pictures. I am going to pick up the Arcam and REL sub over the weekend. Then I am having my in wall rear surrounds installed and then hopefully I will get my table and cartridge. The suspense is killing me.

Thanks for everyones help!

[rded]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Once I have everything set up I will post pictures. I am going to pick up the Arcam and REL sub over the weekend. Then I am having my in wall rear surrounds installed and then hopefully I will get my table and cartridge. The suspense is killing me.

Thanks for everyones help!

Joe: you're picking up the receiver and sub??? That's a shame . Seriously, the dealer should install it I mean for the amount of money you're spending, you should be treated like royalty.

[joe1515]

Ya that would be nice. I actually enjoy hooking everything up.

[rded]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Ya that would be nice. I actually enjoy hooking everything up.

I enjoy hooking up my stuff too but oh well.....BTW, when you fill out the AVR600's extended warranty application, make sure you put it in that the dealer did not install the system. Have fun dude!

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by rded

I enjoy hooking up my stuff too but oh well.....BTW, when you fill out the AVR600's extended warranty application, make sure you put it in that the dealer did not install the system. Have fun dude!

Ok thanks I will remember that.

[joe1515]

What HDMI cables do you guys use? I have a read a lot of threads where most of the posters say if you buy anything but a monoprice your throwing your money away. Is this true?

Is it worth looking at Nordos's line of HDMI cables or are Blue Jeans cable just as good becasue a digitial feed is a digital feed?

Joe

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by joe1515

What HDMI cables do you guys use? I have a read a lot of threads where most of the posters say if you buy anything but a monoprice your throwing your money away. Is this true?

Is it worth looking at Nordos's line of HDMI cables or are Blue Jeans cable just as good becasue a digitial feed is a digital feed?

Joe

Hi Joe,

I really do not want to get into this debate. I know what almost everyone here at Blu-ray.com claims about HDMI cables.

Dave Schulte of the Upgrade Company and I recently did some preliminary testing of some HDMI cables using an Hitachi Plasma TV and several Blu-ray and DVD players. On hand we had the top of the Wireworld line Silver Starlight 5.2 2m and 1m lengths along with 2m lengths of cables made my Audioquest and MIT.

First, our findings indicated that like Coaxial cables (which we also did preliminary tests) that 2m lengths of the same cable performed better than 1m lengths. Second, we found that we obtained the best color, contrast, fewer jaggies, better audio, etc. through the TV speakers with the Wirworld cables than with either of the Audioquest or the MIT HDMI cables.

It should be noted that our observations were only preliminary and not extensive.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

It should also be noted Rich, perhaps with a disclaimer, that most of us are not entirely playing in your world. The impact of an HDMI cable may matter little to us who are confined to an average-world setup, because the componants we have bought do not have the sensitivity to recognize the interaction between each other.

John

PS~ I do not own any Monoprice or BJC product.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by John72953

It should also be noted Rich, perhaps with a disclaimer, that most of us are not entirely playing in your world. The impact of an HDMI cable may matter little to us who are confined to an average-world setup, because the componants we have bought do not have the sensitivity to recognize the interaction between each other.

John

PS~ I do not own any Monoprice or BJC product.

John,

We conducted the preliminary tests at Dave Schulte's home with the cables as noted. Granted, we were using upgraded (modified) Blu-ray and DVD players, we were only relying on what we saw and heard for the Hitachi Plasma TV. I can not recall if the the players went directly into the TV or through a component though. We did not have the components hooked up to the audio system for audio reproduction.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Joe,

I'm not one of those who subscribe to the Monoprice or BJC philosophy so often encouraged by our members, in that HDMI is HDMI. That's like saying ( and believed by many here) that interconnects and speaker cables are all the same. From my own experience they are not and HDMI cables I think would fall into that same category. I do believe however that the differences are less dramatic. Follow your gut...if you think a specific HDMI offers you a difference, then buy it and go for it.

John

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by John72953

Joe,

I'm not one of those who subscribe to the Monoprice or BJC philosophy so often encouraged by our members, in that HDMI is HDMI. That's like saying ( and believed by many here) that interconnects and speaker cables are all the same. From my own experience they are not and HDMI cables I think would fall into that same category. I do believe however that the differences are less dramatic. Follow your gut...if you think a specific HDMI offers you a difference, then buy it and go for it.

John

That is my thought that how can every HDMI cable wether 99 cents or 500 be exactly the same. It just doesnt make sense. Youe mentioned you dont own monoprice or BJC If you dont mind what HDMI cables do you own?

Joe

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi Joe,

I really do not want to get into this debate. I know what almost everyone here at Blu-ray.com claims about HDMI cables.

Rich

That is why I posted this question in this thread. It seems the opinion is so one sided that your a moron if you spend more than $2 on an HDMI cable. I respect the opinion of the people who read and post on the turntable thread.

Joe

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by joe1515

That is my thought that how can every HDMI cable wether 99 cents or 500 be exactly the same. It just doesnt make sense. Youe mentioned you dont own monoprice or BJC If you dont mind what HDMI cables do you own?

Joe

I use Philips cables. I paid about $40CDN each for a 2-metre length. My new Oppo DV-980H included Oppo's own HDMI which is what I use for it.

I've not switched them out with any other cable, but I suppose that would be an interesting exercise to see what differences (if any) would be evident.

John

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by John72953

I use Philips cables. I paid about $40CDN each for a 2-metre length. My new Oppo DV-980H included Oppo's own HDMI which is what I use for it.

I've not switched them out with any other cable, but I suppose that would be an interesting exercise to see what differences (if any) would be evident.

John

My dealer keeps talking up the Nordost HDMI Cable but I am not sure it is worth the money. I currently have all monster cables. I bought those before I was an "educated consumer" and starting visited these message boards. Plus my brother worked at Best Buy when I bought them for his employee discount. $150 cables only cost me around $40.

Joe

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by joe1515

My dealer keeps talking up the Nordost HDMI Cable but I am not sure it is worth the money. I currently have all monster cables. I bought those before I was an "educated consumer" and starting visited these message boards. Plus my brother worked at Best Buy when I bought them for his employee discount. $150 cables only cost me around $40.

Joe

There is no question that you have a very good audio and video setup and it certainly deserves the addition of good quality cabling, which you've already done. I also think therefore that your system is able to read the supposed superior quality of a HDMI cable from Nordost or any of the other high-end brands. Why not ask your dealer if you can try out the Nordost and do a comparison. If it has no impact then you have your answer and your current Monster HDMI's should be good enough.

John

[naturephoto1]

Hi Joe,

I have been using the Wireworld Silver Starlight 5 squared which is the top of their line. I like them very much and they have superb connectors. Wireworld also makes 5 less expensive HDMI cables with I believe the same connectors. Many of us have been finding that Wireworld makes outstanding products that are of superior quality that outperform Nordost for less money.

As an example I have some of the Wireworld Platinum Eclipse Analog cables which are reported to outperform by a fair amount the Nordost Valhalla cables for 3/4 the price and to perform almost as well as the Nordost Odin top of the line cables for 1/5 the cost. This is what has been reported by some of the people that have tested and compared their own cables.

Rich