Cartridge suggestion/thoughts

so through much patience from members, I understand that my mishubishi lt 30 TT has a low mass tone are which means I need a high compliance cart for it. a local shop suggested a grado blue. do you think that would be a good fit? or any other suggestions for a cart to match? my price range is 150ish.

 

The Ortofon OM 10 is likely a good fit and you can later upgrade to a 20 or 30 nude stylus.

 

It depends, the Grado blue should be (at least in theory) an excellent match for your tonearm but Grado cartridges have a mellow warm sound which goes well with some genres but at the expense of detail and speed.

 

well just some background. I have Marantz 1200b and ads l1290 speakers and generally just listen to jazz and nice female vocals. so clarity and smooth are two words that come to mind when I think about what my ideal sound would be from my system. with those details, does that lead you to suggesting another cart or would the blue fit that?

thanks!!

 

Along with compliance, consider gain? How much gain does you phono preamp supply or add to what the cartridge will produce?

 

If you enjoy listening to jazz and female vocals I think you will love Grado cartridges but just to be sure listen to these samples and tell me which one do you like more:



Grado gold


Audio Technica AT95ML (min 3:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL472A8M8_A

 

I don't buy into the "this cartridge is good for Jazz" sort of thing.

Good cartridges have a wide, flat response (they're uncolored), and they track superbly.

They'll play any groove accurately.

I'd run from any cartridge said to play any one genre best.

 

There is no perfect cartridge and no perfectly flat cartridge. Grado cartridges are not neutral but they are very euphonic and it's not a myth that they shine with jazz.

 

Other question will be Hum issues. Grado cartridges work well on some turntables, but not on others. Ortofon OM 10's a safer bet.

 

I have heard about that hum issue for grado, idk how real that is, but I have read that before

 

I hear you on that, but I do think some carts sound better with the sounds that jazz usually produces. so maybe its less a genre thing as it is the type of instruments used.

 

Grado Hum Database
grado hum

Mitsubishi LT-20 (very similar model) Grado Green No Hum, G2 No Hum.

 

Grado prestige cartridges hum because they are unshielded. (In most cases, the hum is so low that it won't be a deal-breaker). The Grado Hum Database will help you.
Grado Hum Database- Vinyl Engine

 

Agreed. I have a wide variety of genres here and need my main cart to be able to play everything well.

 

That's awesome theres a database with all that information. looks like im getting a grado green for my mishubishi lt 30. thanks so much

 

The Vinyl Engine Grado hum database says you'll be OK.