New turntable, cartridge and phono amp

Hi-Fi Corner
1

I’m in the process of changing my turntable system, I currently have a Pro-Ject RPM5.1 with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge and Clearaudio Nano Phono preamp but I’d like to get a direct drive player and move away from the analytical, clinical sound of the 2M Blue but I’m having a hard time deciding what to get.

So far the only thing I’ve settled on is the turntable itself which would most probably be a Technics SL-100C but can’t decide on the cartridge or amp. For the cartridge I’ve considered:

  • Nagaoka MP-110 or MP-150
  • MoFi Studiotracker
  • Sumiko Rainier or Moonstone
  • AT-VM95ML (this would only require me to change the stylus on the stock VM95C that comes with the Technics)

For the amp my choices are:

  • Pro-Ject Tube Box E or S2
  • Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra
  • Rega Fono MM Mk5
  • Cambridge Audio Alva Solo
  • Ifi Audio Zen Phono 3

The player would be connected to a Uniti Atom HE driving a pair of Genelec G Three active speakers. Anyone that could give some advice or tips that would help me decide?

1 Like
2

I had great time with Nagaoka MP-110 and Rega P3, warm and easy to the ears, typical vinyl experience. A bit dull in time due to roll-off highs and MP-200 is the next sweet spot.

2 Likes
3

That is what I use with the SL 100C. One man’s warm is another’s dull/bright/mushy/clinical (delete as you wish).

To me it sounds great, thats about all I can say and I really like the Conical that came with it too. Kinda makes you forget about Hifi even if not quite as detailed as the ML.

1 Like
4

I think I’ve made my choice, I’ll most likely go with the Technics SL-100C, Nagaoka MP-150 and Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra. This combo should get me the kind of sound I’m after and I can also upgrade the cartridge to a MP-200 in the future just by changing the stylus if I want to.

2 Likes
5

Might be worth trying the VNM95ML stylus in the technics first (and save some money of you like it).

6

The Sumiko carts are great and I actually have both the Rainier and Moonstone on different decks.

My advice regarding this specific set is to not bother with the Rainier. The Moonstones far better. And if it’s too expensive, the Sumiko Pearl is, to my ears, greatly superior to the Rainier despite costing less. I bought one for a family member and tried it out on my own deck and it was a lot more vibrant than the Rainier. As soon as the stylus on the latter is worn, I’m definitely replacing it with a Pearl. Absolute boogie wonderland of a low cost cart.

For ref, I have the Moonstone on a SL-1200 and the Rainier on a TEAC TN-4D.

1 Like
7

Good choices. The Nagaoka carts seem to work well with Technics decks.

The one suggestion I’d make is to consider the Cambridge Audio Duo as a phono preamp instead of the project.

8

The VM95ML would be the most cost-effective upgrade but from what I’ve gathered the sound of it leans more towards analytical which is what I’m trying to move away from.

I did also consider the Duo but with that it felt like I would be paying extra for features I didn’t need (the headphone output). I already have 4 headphone amps, the Uniti Atom HE, Cayin HA-3A, Marantz HD-DAC1 and a Fosi Audio GR70 and I don’t need another :smiley:

9

The Technics 100C and Sumiko are good choice

Project not so much.

10

Not many bad reviews for the Nagaoka (any Nag). The VM95ML is, to my ageing ears not analytical. I had a Rega deck before with a Rega Exact cartridge. It’s too long ago to remember any useful details but whilst I kinda enjoyed it I can’t recall it having had either the bass or the treble detail of the AT. It was more neutral/flat (I think) but that could also be the Rega TT (late P3).

I must say that I prefer fast, punchy and detailed sound over warm but I certainly don’t like clinical.

11

Another suggestion would be, if you go with the VM95ML (no experience myself. I’m using Nagaoka and Ortofon carts on my Technics), with the money you’ve saved you could afford a Lehmann Black Cube Statement.

1 Like