I've no direct experience of the Goldring 2000 series, however, having used many different Nagaoka models over the years, and currently running a MP30 here now, I think that for the asking price (RRP £195.00 although these can be had for £165ish if one shops around), the 2100 spec doesn't appear to exceed that of AT-VM95E. Not that these would necessarily sound the same, mind, only 5x the price of the A-T for what advantage, exactly? MI vs. MM? This certainly wasn't much of an advantage with plain old MP11/110; and I'd take AT-VM95E over either of these, not to mention that one can have AT-VM95ML (RRP £154.99) for less than the discounted price of Goldring 2100.
The goalposts have been moved, only the competition hasn't quite figured this out yet.
I've no direct experience of the Goldring 2000 series, however, having used many different Nagaoka models over the years, and currently running a MP30 here now, I think that for the asking price (RRP £195.00 although these can be had for £165ish if one shops around), the 2100 spec doesn't appear to exceed that of AT-VM95E. Not that these would necessarily sound the same, mind, only 5x the price of the A-T for what advantage, exactly? MI vs. MM? This certainly wasn't much of an advantage with plain old MP11/110; and I'd take AT-VM95E over either of these, not to mention that one can have AT-VM95ML (RRP £154.99) for less than the discounted price of Goldring 2100.
The goalposts have been moved, only the competition hasn't quite figured this out yet.
It's not available...Goldring 2100 cartridge and stylus £104 at Juno Records, free delivery.
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/goldring-2100-moving-magnet-cartridge-stylus/305386-01/
Good price, if that is what is desired.
I used one for a long time, before I went all audiophile, and liked it a lot: I remember it as rich-sounding, opposite to the AT sound. I do remember a bit of inner groove distortion but might have been down to wear or setup. A mixed bag in terms of mounting: captive threads are helpful, rounded body less so.
It's not available...
IMO, yes.Do you mean the VM95 series is the new reference for cartridges under £200?
IMO, yes.
That isn't to say that there are no decent cartridges from other brands, or even from A-T's own VM series up to say VM530EN as competition, only there are no 0.3 x 0.7mil bonded tips that are going to give a nude ML anything to worry about by way of tracing and ultimate HF resolution ability, not to mention mean time between replacements.
I mean before I got obsessed with sound quality. I’m not sure what I’d make of the 2100 now that I am a bit obsessed, but I think it probably wouldn’t cut it. Looking back it might have been the IGD on the 2100 that got me interested in better hifi.please, explain.
do you mean the Goldring 2100 is not audiophile?
No IGD on IGY, that is, unless it's the single (or possibly the version from near the end of 'The Best of Howard Jones', but somehow I doubt it).I mean before I got obsessed with sound quality. I’m not sure what I’d make of the 2100 now that I am a bit obsessed, but I think it probably wouldn’t cut it. Looking back it might have been the IGD on the 2100 that got me interested in better hifi.
I can't keep up with the AT 95 series. The 95e used to be an honest enough budget MM that adorned every Dual 505 in town, more than a few Regas and a few LP12s belonging to people who were skint and/or listened to dealers. It spawned however many Linn spinoffs at elevated prices. It was always a bit screechy, but it worked and at change from £20 there wasn't a lot not to like.I've no direct experience of the Goldring 2000 series, however, having used many different Nagaoka models over the years, and currently running a MP30 here now, I think that for the asking price (RRP £195.00 although these can be had for £165ish if one shops around), the 2100 spec doesn't appear to exceed that of AT-VM95E. Not that these would necessarily sound the same, mind, only 5x the price of the A-T for what advantage, exactly? MI vs. MM? This certainly wasn't much of an advantage with plain old MP11/110; and I'd take AT-VM95E over either of these, not to mention that one can have AT-VM95ML (RRP £154.99) for less than the discounted price of Goldring 2100.
The goalposts have been moved, only the competition hasn't quite figured this out yet.
I can't keep up with the AT 95 series. The 95e used to be an honest enough budget MM that adorned every Dual 505 in town, more than a few Regas and a few LP12s belonging to people who were skint and/or listened to dealers. It spawned however many Linn spinoffs at elevated prices. It was always a bit screechy, but it worked and at change from £20 there wasn't a lot not to like.
Now it seems to support a whole range of V, VM, ML, E, Christ knows, at a much more elevated price point. What are the differences?
I already have a VM95ML which I really like.
I wanted to try something different without going for MC cartridges that hit insane prices.
Another MI sounds more like a MC
Grado Timbre Series, Opus3 - The Absolute Sound
I've recently decided that I prefer the AT VM520E to the VM95SH, a saving of ~£80, so I'm not sure that the various VM95s are the obvious choice under £200.