MM Cartridge for LP12 / ARO + phono pre questions

Once again I find myself kicking the tires on the idea of getting a Naimed LP12 as the final leg of my olive/chrome bumper collecting.

Is there an MM cart that fits nicely on the ARO, and matches well sonically with Naim boards or the Stageline? Budget might be up to ~$1,000.

Due to space constraints I would likely be using internal boards on the 72 with a hicap/250 or the internal phono stage of a Supernait 3 and ATC HTS7s. I may also find myself using the table with a 52/250/SL2 setup at some point.

Alternatively, given difficulties in tinkering with the table after it has been setup, should I just go for an MC cart to begin with? I suppose I could go higher in budget. The main reason not to go with MC at first would be the fact that I already have MM boards, plus I wouldn’t be able to use the SN3’s phono stage. Choices…

While I’m on the topic, can a Superline be powered by an NAPSC as an intermediate step to powering it with a Hicap or Supercap in the long run?

And I have just noticed that some Stagelines have one DIN socket. Others have two. What is the difference?

I quite like the higher-end AT MM cartridges. Back in the day I ran an 440MLa in an Aro with good results (into a Stageline N), so I have all reason to believe that any of the more recent VM series would also work well. For another alternative, in a pinch I once ran a Grado Red on my Aro (so moving iron I guess, but still high output) and that also worked quite nicely with the Stageline. That said, I’d pick AT over them.

Please note that you said “fits nicely”: if you mean physically fit, almost any cartridge will; if you mean have the right geometry, almost no cartridge will. :slight_smile: That includes a lot of the MCs you see on this forum being used with the Aro, so don’t sweat it that much (if you do care about this, your options are Denon DL-103s and its variants, along with Linn MC cartridges - that’s it).

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I like the VM95 range with 322/4 boards in various vintage Naim amps, but only heard them with Ekos and Ittok. Tried a VM540ML but felt it was cleaner Hi-Fi at the expense of enjoyment.

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One option to consider would be a High Output MC cartridge.

I have gone with a Hana MH on my LP12 through my 222’s phone stage, sounds delightful, the benefit of Moving Coil technology but with the ability to be played through a MM phono stage.

The suggestion came via my dealer who proposed the Hana over a high end MM cartridge. At the moment I have no plans to go MC as that involves adding another box.

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If you want an MM cart on the TT you suggest a Rega ND7 or a Nagoaka MP200/300/500

The early Stagelines had one socket and could only really be used with a Naim Pre-amp tp power it but later they put two sockets so that it could be powred from a remote power supply separate from a Pre-amp. There was a wall wart style PSU called a Naim I Supply that could be used but any Naim power supply will work with additional cables.

Otherwise, there is no real difference to the phono stage inside as far as I know.

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Anyone tried ND5/ND7 with 322 boards?

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I haven’t heard an ND7 through 322 boards but I have heard one through a STageline N which sounded very nice. The TT was an RP10.

The OP talked about going through the phono stage on an SN3 so should not be far from a Stageline

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I had not considered that possibility- thank you!

Interesting! Was it on the dark/earthy side? I have read those adjectives to describe the combination of Naim boards/former Rega carts.

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I’m curious about this combo as well. RP10 + ND7 into my SN3 is what I’m thinking for now.

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I’m thinking seriously about a VM95SH in my Ittok into my 72 pre amp powered by hicap. My 72 has MM boards fitted. Then I could sell my Rega Aria that I’m currently using with my now quite well worn MC cartridge.

I would not use those words to describe the sound. I don’t think an ND5 or ND7 (not heard the ND3) sound like their predecessors.

I found the sound to be quite open detailed. I would say it was on the warmer side but nicely rather than bright.

Still, don’t take my word for it see if you can listen to one or indeed an ND5 and trust your own ears.

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Go and listen to one at a Rega dealer. I think you wll like it but like Snarfy it’s best to trust your own ears and judge for yourself.

I think the RP8 is worth trying too for comparison, it’s another great TT and good value.

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That’s the one model I’ve not tried. A friend said the SH was the least musical in the range so I never got one and his opinion of the others mirrors my own so not been tempted either.

Views differ wildly. Cymbiosis said it was a giant killer of a cartridge. I need to audition before committing. Do you like the VM95ML?

The ML does all the Hi-Fi stuff very well for the money, but I find it the least musical (compared to the C, E and EN.) However, I have lived with it for a year or so and still enjoyed music played through it. I actually had two so didn’t have a dud.

The C and E need a better deck than my Valhalla/Ittok if you’re to avoid inner groove distortion. They were just about OK on my pre-Cirkus Ekos/Lingo deck but a Rega or modern LP12 should be fine.

On balance, I’ve ended up with the EN which isn’t as tuneful as the E or as groovy as the C but it’s the best all rounder for this deck and more engaging than the ML. It doesn’t have the clarity of the ML either but is a bit more full bodied. At £120, including body, it’s not gonna break the bank if you need to sell it on.

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