You prob don't need the stock metal body to get the best out of this cart. I have run the cheaper 540ML on an MG10 headshell and it sounds fantastic since it uses exactly the same stylus and generator, so save your self a bit and get the plastic body versionWith this in mind - and based upon everything shared in this thread - I’m probably thinking the AT-VM740ML is the best starting point for my MM explorations.
A good reminder, Chris.
My only MM options are 47K and 100pF/1,000pF… and our amp is all tube!
The RibB! Version was £231 when I last looked, and I think that would be my choice over the normal 540ML.Sondeknz
You prob don't need the stock metal body to get the best out of this cart. I have run the cheaper 540ML on an MG10 headshell and it sounds fantastic since it uses exactly the same stylus and generator, so save your self a bit and get the plastic body version
All for £ 229. Plus they are currently selling it here for £205: https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/audio-technica-vm540ml-mm-phono-cartridge
that makes it much cheaper than the Denon.
That said, if you wanted to also add a RigB metal body at a later date, it sounds a bit cleaner with better separation and freq extremes then thats a worthwhile upgrade.
I didn't realise you could get it that cheap. if so then yes i agree, thats a better choice.The RibB! Version was £231 when I last looked, and I think that would be my choice over the normal 540ML.
The Shelter 201 looks remarkably similar to a Sumiko Pearl, which is much cheaper.
The specs are also very similar, suggesting they are based on the same generator?
Well, as usual, "it depends"! I recently gave up on moving coils (Lyra in my case) - a replacement would have cost over $3000 and retipping is a bit of a crap shoot. I went with an AT VM760SLC (~$600) moving magnet and don't really feel I've sacrificed much, sound quality-wise. And I've gained the ability to replace the stylus after 1000 or so hours (you should easily get 2000 hours out of a good quality moving coil stylus - I've got 2000-3000 out of my Linn and Lyra moving coils over the last 40 years).The upshot of all this is, that I'm finding that downgrading from MC to MM not as cost-effective as I would have hoped.
Go back to comment #5
Unfortunately it was too long ago for any meaningful comparison and also my system wasn't really sorted at the time.@Graham67
How did you find the DENON DL-103R compares with the DL-103?
What issue?This issue of vinyl damage is why I decided, around 5 years ago, to go with a Nagaoka MP500.
Sorry to be repetitive but if you do go back to MM, don’t forget to adjust the capacitance on the input accordingly to suit the cartridge. It can really define things. I have just reduced the capacitance on my phonoinput after learning that in the case of valve phonos, the Miller effect of the first valve (200pF approx.) must be added to the equation. When Joni hits the high notes on Blue, It can be the difference between understanding the lyrics and thinking she’s yodelling.