Turntable stylus and cartridge
So yesterday my technics sl 1210 needle broke down, it was an old stanton al-D500 mkII. Now looking for a new set of cartridges with styli, can you please recommend me something that is not too cheap and not too expensive, i’m doing a little scratching aswell.
thanks in advance
[ame=“Amazon.com”]Amazon.com: Shure M44-7H Scratch Cartridge with Headshell: Musical Instruments@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31O7z9BKVxL.@@AMEPARAM@@31O7z9BKVxL[/ame]
This is what you need.
is there any cheaper good options out there?
I’ve always used Stanton 500 (MKII) carts, with D5100 ALII needles. Never any problems - especially with scratching.
I use the Shure M44-7. You don’t need to buy the “H” model cos that’s an M44-7 that’s pre-fitted to a headshell which only adds to the cost, although it’s easier to fit as you just screw it to the end of the tonearm and you’re done.
For use with a DVS, I don’t think there’s any better cart than the 44-7 because the price is reasonable, the output is high/solid, they’re about as skip-resistant as carts get and the needles last a decent length of time before needing to be replaced. There’s certainly better sounding cartridges if you’re spinning regular vinyl though.
can someone please explain the difference between m44-7 and n44-7, i rarely spin regular vinyl though…
M44-7H = Cart and stylus already mounted to a headshell
M44-7 = Cart and stylus
N44-7 = Replacement stylus
There’s also the M44-G which comes with an N44-G stylus. The styli are interchangeable so you can use an N44-7 stylus in an M44-G cart and vice versa. The difference between the two is basically that the N44-G sounds a bit better, but doesn’t hold the record quite as well.
the M44G is perfect for everyday use, that is if you use real vinyl. for timecode every needle you can get cheap does the job.
so this one is without headshell, thats why its much cheaper right? i dont want to buy some fake cartridges, once happened with memory stick…
This is just the stylus, you would need to buy carts too.
Although I have been using M447’s for years if you are looking to really save money then the Stanton 500’s would be good, or if you don’t mind a concorde design I’ve found for the price these are great: http://www.htfr.com/p/358307/stanton_diablo_clear_cartridge_stylus_transparent_pair
On the subject is concord style needles, I bught a pair of ttxs that had Numark CX1 needles. I did try and give them a go but found them to be utter junk.
I’ve used a lot of concorde carts and have to agree with ‘smitten’ in that most of them have been awful but Ortofon and higher end Stanton concorde carts are some of the best I’ve used.
Look at the shure 35c, it’s cheaper and it doesn’t eat thr vinyl as fast as the 44s
Oh … WHAT? But I don’t agree, sorry, SC35 is a nail, nonetheless!
The most recommended is generally the M44-7. I have buddies who use those and swear by them.
Personally I prefer Concord carts, and so I went with the Ortofon Concord Elektro’s. They have been serving me well. (Got a great price on them used on DJforums). I’m no scratcher however.
For timecode the m44-7’s are awesome. Have a pair of ortofon dj s and found them unreliable for timecode. Gorgeous on the wax though so use both dependant on task in hand.
What problems were you having with timecode and the ortofons? That is odd since in both applications, the needle is just sending audio information through the system; it should be agnostic about what kind of records you play.
I have the Ortofon Digitrack, which is made for Timecode vinyls.
Also i scratch with it…great needle! 
http://www.recordcase.de/lshop,showdetail,1320761362-19544,e,1320763836-22619,,0010101429,,,0.htm
so say if i would go with ortofon, is there any cheaper option than shure m44-7? i’m still unsure though, going to get one of them today, can’t wait any longer. I actually met up with a guy who sold me a pair of used m44-7 this weekend for ±45 quid, one of them barely worked at all.. fortunately i got my money back.