Reference Reproduction Cartridges

This is where record cutters raise questions about cutting, and trade wisdom and experiment results. We love Scully, Neumann, Presto, & Rek-O-Kut lathes and Wilcox-Gay Recordios (among others). We are excited by the various modern pro and semi-pro systems, too, in production and development. We use strange, extinct disc-based dictation machines. And other stuff, too.

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jesusfwrl
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Reference Reproduction Cartridges

Post: # 47604Unread post jesusfwrl
Sat Aug 19, 2017 11:10 am

What cartridges you fellow trolls use for checking your work and the performance of your cutting system? On what grounds did you choose them?

The ones I had been using for ages are no longer in production and the available replacement styli for the MM ones are significantly altering the performance. I'm left with two options: Specialist retipping concerns or moving on to a currently available product.

Is anyone here involved with reproduction cartridge manufacturing or retipping, on a professional basis?

I am equally interested in the opinions of people cutting lacquer masters as well as those cutting plastics.
~~~ Precision Mechanical Engineering, Analog Disk Mastering ~~~
Agnew Analog Reference Instruments: http://www.agnewanalog.com

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fredbissnette
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Re: Reference Reproduction Cartridges

Post: # 47609Unread post fredbissnette
Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:29 pm

i use the basic ones like the audio technica low end conical carts cause thats what most ppl have

if you wanna impress ppl get a stanton npac or shure m447 or ortofon qberts super loud

for clarity id say ortofon concordes
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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GeorgeZ
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Re: Reference Reproduction Cartridges

Post: # 47617Unread post GeorgeZ
Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:16 am

Older cartridges for lacquers: Shure SC39ED and Stanton 681EEE III
Newer cartridge for lacquers: Ortofon SuperOM 30

Regular playback of vinyl records: Ortofon OM 5e
Audiophile playback of vinyl records: Shure V-15 (several types) + JICO SAS styli

Nickel mothers playback: Shure M44 MC + N44C conical
Jiri Zita
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GZ Vinyl / GZ Media Lodenice
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jesusfwrl
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Re: Reference Reproduction Cartridges

Post: # 47619Unread post jesusfwrl
Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:42 am

Thanks for your input, Jiri.

What do you do for replacement styli for the Stanton 681 EEE? I had been using a Stanton 881S, but the replacement styli I have been able to find lately have a radically different compliance.
No moving coil setup for the audiophile side of things?
Are you using the Shure V-15 on SME 3009 arms?

Thanks fredbissnette for you input.
~~~ Precision Mechanical Engineering, Analog Disk Mastering ~~~
Agnew Analog Reference Instruments: http://www.agnewanalog.com

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tragwag
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Re: Reference Reproduction Cartridges

Post: # 47622Unread post tragwag
Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:14 pm

GeorgeZ wrote:Older cartridges for lacquers: Shure SC39ED and Stanton 681EEE III
Newer cartridge for lacquers: Ortofon SuperOM 30

Regular playback of vinyl records: Ortofon OM 5e
Audiophile playback of vinyl records: Shure V-15 (several types) + JICO SAS styli

Nickel mothers playback: Shure M44 MC + N44C conical
This is super helpful, thank you Jiri. I'm looking to upgrade sometime and I have a few different decks to experiment with.
I currently use the Grado Black cartridge. I like it a lot as far as tone and depth, quite pleasing. Not sure where it lies in terms of reference.
making lathe cuts on a Presto 6N, HIFI stereo cuts on vinylrecorder
at Audio Geography Studios, Providence, RI USA
http://www.audiogeography.com

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