Good Needles For Listening
Jonny_Paycheck
17,825 Posts
I know this gets asked frequently; hell, I think I'VE even poasted this thread before. But since our search engine is only going back but so long needs must I poast again.So, audiophiles, labcabin enthusiasts, sound scientists and connoisseurs of the finer thangs:What is a great needle for listening (NOT djing) purposes?Thanks and have a happy new year on The Soulstrut.
Comments
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store...34Pa38Ta38Pbhn0
Grados are quite good and their prices run the gamut from affordable to audiophile baller. Plus, they're located in Brooklyn.
which kind ?
Type: Yokeless double ring magnet moving coil
Frequency Response: 10-20,000Hz
Output: 0.025mV
Channel Seperation: >30dB
Channel Balance: 0.5db @ 1kHz
Tracking Force: 1.8-2.2g
Dynamic Compliance: 15 X 10 -6 cm/dyne
Internal Impedance: 7 ohms
Load Impedance: >7 ohms
Cantilever: Reinforced Aluminum
Stylus: Ogura PA (3X30um) solid diamond
Magnetic Material: Neodymium
Weight: 7.5g
Price: $3,499.99[/b]
Both Stanton and Ortofons are notorious for record wear. Shures are better in that regard. Better sound output coupled with less record wear. Grados are crisper as well and claim to cause minimal wear on your vinyls.
It sounds great - however, my main problem with it is that [non-technical terminology alert] the kind of dangling needle on it, which I think contributes to the great sound, skips on even the most tiny speck of dust. Kind of bugs me
Shure M97xE
There is another version which is fancier (comes in red), but was a bit out of my budget.
I had one of these and they're nice, track really well, especially with the stablizer brush. I ended up selling it though just because I like the sound of my Shure whitelabels more, which are based on the same legendary V-15 series design, which was top of the line for many years and is no longer manufactured due to material shortages.
I think there's a huge difference in sound between Ortofon and Shure carts, the Ortofons always sound more crisp and like they're getting deeper into the groove, while Shure is more balanced. I've actually been thinking about picking up a pair of Ortofons to see if I like them better.
I don't know which Audio Technica you have but people really dig this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT440ML-Dual-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge/dp/B00009MK3A
I won't buy from Grado because they are bastards who refused to sell products to the countrys on Bush's "Axis of Evil" list. Their headphones are real overrated too, built for people who want to kill their ears.
also will you be using this needle to record with..
in the 90s i switched up to ortofons. they are great, sound great and last forever.
stay away from anything stanton. that stuff has always been crap, even for someone djing.
are these compatible with 1200s? doesn't look like it...
Just pop it on a Technics headshell and you're good to go.
ah, ok. thanks for the quick post reply!
I wasn't aware of the axis of evil list, but please explain the ear killing part? I was thinking of picking up some of their headphones...
and on the needle discussion I've been happy with my m97xe
I just find that except for their $500+ headphones, which I heard in some BS hifi store and thought sounded good, the lower end stuff sounds like putting guitar amps on your ears - punchy and loud midrange but not much clarity, detail, or soundstage. Just too muddy.
I'll take Sennheisers, Beyerdynamics, or Ultrasones any day.
My entry level Grado sr60 headphones sound great, not muddy at all. My only complaint is they are very "open".
Dude, needles? Unless youre some audiophile a lot of brands offer needles for under $50 which will sound fine for anyone. I use an Audio Technica I got for $30.