The 2M Blue rates 5.5 mV The VM95ML rates 3.5 mV Should the blue be louder? I have a 2M Blue on a stock Pro-Ject 1XPression Carbon Classic and a VM95ML on a stock Technics SL-1210GR. I have the Pro-Ject/2M Blue going into the phono pre of a Yamaha R-N602 into a Yamaha A-S1100. I have the GR/VM95ML going into the phono pre of the Yamaha A-S1100. The GR is louder and sounds more full bodied than the Pro-Ject. I thought it might be the phono pre and the R-N602 line out being lower in volume, but I swapped them and the GR still sounds louder and fuller going into the R-N602 compared to the Pro-Ject into the A-S1100. Anyone know why this might be the case? I'm guessing the "fuller" sound is due to the different stylus profiles and carts, but shouldn't the Blue be louder? I thought it might be the turntables but they are just passive transports when you think about it. Is it a difference in the cabling between the two TTs? I was about to get a new Phono Pre for the Pro-Ject thinking it was the R-N602 but it's not. The GR sounded great through it.
I bet on the cabling inside the GR and did you measured your carts or going straight from spec sheet? I mean Ortofon is quite known to have their specs vary between even the same models. If I recal right though, Blue stylus was quiter (in terms of output) than Red and that is connected with the magnets on the cantilever per Ortofon's comment.
Thanks for responding. Yes, the numbers are from their specs. I'm curious how the Bronze compares as that's where I plan to end up on that table. Also curious if it's the stylus or the cart. I plan to put a Bronze on a 2M silver cart. I was thinking of eventually picking up a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 which has gain settings I could turn up on front, but will doing so affect the sound adversely in any way?
Update for anyone seeing this thread in the future. I noticed the tonearm cabling on the Pro-Ject is considerably thinner than what I can see on the GR. I'm guessing that might having something to do with it. Some pics of the Pro-Ject's cabling for reference here: Pro-Ject 1Xpression Carbon Classic (Gloss Black) And here: "Buzz" from Pro-ject Xpression. Please help According to What is American Wire Gauge (AWG) and how does it work? A smaller gauge (larger size) wire can safely conduct more electricity than a larger gauge (smaller size) wire. Decreasing the AWG size of a wire by three will double the cross-sectional area of a wire and double the amount of current it can carry. Changing the AWG size by 10 will change the cross-section by tenfold. So maybe that's it?
Last reply in case anyone sees this in the future. I "spoke" too soon. I looked at the tonearm wires at the pivot base and the GR's are just as thin. Only the headshell wires on the GR are thicker. The Pro-Ject does not have a separate headshell you can change the wires on. Also, last reply here as I brought this up on the SL-1200/GAE/G/GR thread: The Technics SL-1200 GAE/G/GR general questions thread I don't like dupe threads and only asked there as I was curious if the GR was known to have a higher output compared to other turntables.