Bob Edwards
pfm Member
Monitor Audio GX300. I figured they’d be good; but they’ve been amazing.
Leak Troughline tuner with Tim de Paravicini stereo decoder.
A pair of Mission 753s when driven by a DPA 50S.
Unique among MM cartridges as it doesn’t offer a snap on replacement stylus which is part of the reason it performs so well.A few over the years but to keep it recent:
Rega Exact.
Never liked the cheaper Rega MM carts much, in fact I would say I actively dislike them, and the Exact looks like a toy compared to other carts in its price range. Seem to be mainly sold bundled with Rega turntables and rarely seen on any other brand of deck but...
I tried a lot of cartridges on the RP10, both MM and MC, with some being twice the price of the Exact. While not the best in all areas it was the Exact I kept coming back to. Not tried as many carts on the LP12/RB3000 but the Exact sounds so good I'm struggling to find reasons to. Being critical I can say that the bass isn't as tight as better MC, top end isn't as sweet. Soundstage isn't as wide and you're not getting the same level of fine detail but after putting the Exact back on you realize you don't give a shit about any of that!
The Exact does what a stereo system is supposed to do. It brings the heart of the artists into your home. Music is propulsive, engaging and tonally full and rich. Artists have real body and weight and exists in real space with air and harmonics around them. Notes sing out and hang in the air. It's one of the most musically satisfying components I've ever heard.
I think that it's probably so tonally rich because it has been designed to match Rega turntables, which tend to be, if anything, slightly lean sounding. So when put on a fuller deck like the LP12 its strengths are amplified. It's also considered a budget cartridge so most people with top-tier turntable wouldn't even think about trying it. Especially if you have a Linn, as you'll probably stick to more established partners like Audio Technica for MM carts. This is a shame as when given a good arm to egg him on this little yellow guy runs out of his skin. It terms of sheer musical enjoyment this cartridge is an absolute bargain.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it can be improved on, I'm thinking about that now, but I'm resigned to spending a lot more money and I don't want to lose the soul the Exact brings. Which I fear may be difficult.