Cartridge Question

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Jixby, Apr 12, 2018.

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  1. Jixby

    Jixby New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    How do cartridges go as far as compatability
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2018
  2. Warren Jarrett

    Warren Jarrett Audio Note (UK) dealer in SoCal/LA-OC In Memoriam

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Compatibility? In what way? Sound, associated equipment, choice of tonearm? MC vs. MM? Output level? Loading adjustments? Active head amps vs. Passive step-ups?

    Solid-state vs. vacuum tube phono preamps?

    There could be an entire book written just about cartridge "compatibilty". Plus numerous disagreements in this forum. :-popcorn:
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2018
  3. curbach

    curbach Some guy on the internet

    Location:
    The ATX
    Welcome to the forum :wave:

    Please, rephrase the question :)
     
  4. Catcher10

    Catcher10 I like records, and Prog...duh

    Yea.......compatibility to what?
     
  5. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    In forums, the more detail, the better. Ambiguity won't get you a solid answer.
     
  6. Warren Jarrett

    Warren Jarrett Audio Note (UK) dealer in SoCal/LA-OC In Memoriam

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    "In life, ... " would have been an even better answer.
    . :magoo:
     
  7. struttincool

    struttincool Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Can't live with them, can't live without them....
     
  8. punkmusick

    punkmusick Amateur drummer

    Location:
    Brazil
    In cartridges, the more detail, the better too?
    :)
     
    Warren Jarrett likes this.
  9. Bob_in_OKC

    Bob_in_OKC Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dallas, Texas
    I’ve found low-output moving-coil cartridges to have compatibility issues with my paycheck.
     
  10. Warren Jarrett

    Warren Jarrett Audio Note (UK) dealer in SoCal/LA-OC In Memoriam

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    I am sorry to inform you that it may be your pay-check which has the issues, not the cartridges. :whistle:
     
  11. Jixby

    Jixby New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Sorry for not being more specific. I meant for example, would I be able to put any cartridge onto my audio technica, or are some meant only for specific brands etc? Dumb question I know, but hey, gotta start somewhere
     
  12. JohnO

    JohnO Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    Which Audio-Technica turntable model do you have?

    Most carts are designed to fit a "standard 1/2 inch mount". That is usually a "standard 1/2 inch headshell". The AT LP120 has that type standard headshell.

    Some turntables have no headshell, or a different kind of headshell, but still use standard 1/2 inch mount carts.

    There were turntables that used only "P-mount" carts. Some carts were sold as "P-mount" only, and some "P-mount" carts came with an adapter to fit "standard 1/2" mounts".

    Some turntables have arms that fit only one exact specific kind of cart. The AT LP60 is one of these. You could replace that cart, if needed, with another cart of the exact same type.

    Many carts have a few different types of stylus available. With even the AT LP60, you can upgrade the stylus somewhat, somewhat better than the stylus it comes with.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2018
  13. allied333

    allied333 Audiophile

    Location:
    nowhere
    Tone arms come in low mass, medium mass and heavy mass on TTs. Most cartridges are compatible with medium mass tone arms. Your Audio-Technica TT is likely equipped with a medium mass tone arm. For example, Grado prefer lower mass tone arms and Ortofon OM series prefer heavy tone arms for best tracking.
     
    nosliw likes this.
  14. Jixby

    Jixby New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Los Angeles

    it's an audio-technica at lp-60
     
  15. anorak2

    anorak2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Unfortunately, that turntable comes with a fixed cartridge that can't be changed. According to what I googled up, it is a variant of Audio Technica AT3600L. All you can do is swap its stylus, which you ought to do after a couple hundred hours play. Make sure the stylus is one for said cartridge.

    Maybe it's a good idea to look for a used brand name turntable like Sony, Technics, Pioneer from the 1980s/90s. Most of those will be much better qualitywhise and will allow changing cartridges. In that domain there are only two groups of mounts: half-inch and p-mount aka T4P. All you need to know is what kind the tonearm of your new turntable accepts. Within each group, all cartridges are compatible with a given tonearm. However, styluses are not! A stylus is normally only compatible with one specific cartridge, or family of cartridges in some cases.
     
    sturgus, Shak Cohen and nosliw like this.
  16. Shak Cohen

    Shak Cohen Forum Resident

    Location:
    United Kingdom
    I wouldn't "upgrade" the stylus or cartridge on your ATLP60. The arm's tracking weight is factory set to about 3 grams, and that's what your stylus tracks at. A "better" stylus will probably track at 1-2 grams, meaning that the turntable would have to be opened up and the arm reset - not worth it IMO.

    Enjoy the AT60LP for what it is - a fun, secondary device that can play records...
     
  17. allied333

    allied333 Audiophile

    Location:
    nowhere
    A very good and unknown to audiophiles vintage TT is a JVC QL-5 or QL-A5. The 'A' series is semi automatic. It sounds unbelievably good & is inexpensive because it is unknown. It is also reliable with medium mass tone arm. Wow & flutter is less than .02% and is quiet at -78dB rumble. In my opinion it sounds better (specs better) than Technics SL-1200 series that cost $400+ and may not have a cartridge at that price. The JVC is about $150.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
    Shak Cohen, anorak2 and nosliw like this.
  18. nosliw

    nosliw Delivering parcels throughout Teyvat! Meow~!

    Location:
    Ottawa, ON, Canada
    Agreed with @anorak2 and @allied333 with the suggestions. Other than the stylus, the LP60 has no meaningful upgrade options available as there is no mounting provision (i.e., 1/2" standard mount or a T4P type). Third-party higher quality styli has a tracking force range from 1.5 to 2.5 grams and since the LP60 is fixed to 3.5grams or higher from the factory (which is inconsistently built at the Hanpin OEM factory due to shoddy QC), it's far too much hassle to deal with the spring inside the player.

    In all honesty, I'd look into a better turntable from other companies like the U-Turn Orbit for something brand new. Used turntables as the two suggested are also great options.
     
    Shak Cohen likes this.
  19. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    Your cartridge choice is what came mounted on it. Nothing else can be used.
     
    Shak Cohen and nosliw like this.
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