Need turntable advice.

[JMJVK]

I've been using vinyl all my life, yet never paid much attention to the technology. I'm now considering a serious upgrade, and would like to get more information to make an intelligent choice. I want to upgrade from my current vintage turntable to a new NAD C 556, or perhaps, a used Thorens. That said, I want to make an upgrade, and not merely replace and apple with another. Can you please can enlighten me on the following:

- Moving magnets... Where, what., how ?

- How good/bad is my current Pioneer belt-driven Rondo 2000 ('75 or '76) turntable?

- Should I really change it, or is changing the cartridge on it going to be sufficient to achieve better results ?

 

[Swerd]

I've been using vinyl all my life, yet never paid much attention to the technology. I'm now considering a serious upgrade, and would like to get more information to make an intelligent choice. I want to upgrade from my current vintage turntable to a new NAD C 556, or perhaps, a used Thorens. That said, I want to make an upgrade, and not merely replace and apple with another. Can you please can enlighten me on the following:

- Moving magnets... Where, what., how ?

- How good/bad is my current Pioneer belt-driven Rondo 2000 ('75 or '76) turntable?

- Should I really change it, or is changing the cartridge on it going to be sufficient to achieve better results ?

If your old turntable works, keep it and use it. An older belt-drive model is likely to be OK. I have an old ARxa turntable that I've used since 1973.

Despite the abundant hype, there is little if anything new in turntable design. The only limitation is the tone arm, specifically, what cartridge tracking force it can reliably maintain. Some cartridges do better with lighter tracking forces that some tone arms cannot achieve.

Changing the cartridge can generate noticeable differences and even improvements in sound. In the old days of stereo, the standard advice was the biggest changes in sound resulted from improved pickup cartridges and speakers. Those were the 2 spots in chain where acoustic or physical energy was transformed into electrical energy (pickups), or the reverse (speakers). Just pay attention to what your tone arm can handle.

The Needle Doctor has a wide variety of choices and prices. Have fun. In my opinion, the Shure M97XE and a variety of moving magnet models from Ortofon (such as the 2M Black/Bronze/Blue/Red/ models - pick your price range) are good choices. There are probably many other good choices, but I know nothing about them.

 

[JMJVK]

It works, and it works well. The belt was changed a few years back, and the sound is decent. That said, reading about cartridges and stylus replacements, I've started to get tempted by something fancier. If I'm to get an improvement, I have to change both the cartridge and stylus, and spend a fair amount of cash. I could probably get, for the same investment, a modest NAD or used Thorens.

I don't know if the difference would even be very noticeable, given that my gear is very basic, but I'm thinking giving it a try would be nice... Prior to lurking, and then registering here, I had never even been tempted by such a move, and now... Well, I'm looking at Vintage Marantz receivers and a few other things..

 

[LAB3]

That Pioneer is a decent TT, try a Shure MM cart or one the others Swerd posted. Or look for a good deal on vintage MM carts ADC XLM, Shure V15. Stanton 681EEE (there are others)and my favorite MM a Pickering XUV/D4500Q(NOS Stylus expensive now) as my old(1979) Pioneer PL-518X has a "S" style tone arm. My over hang is 49MM so join vinylengine and ask some questions.
Post up on vinylengine and ask what MM or MC carts are a good fit for this arm.What over hang and which protractor is the best fit for the tone arm.I use a Stevenson on my "S" arm Pioneer... Vinyl Engine | The Home of the Turntable The Shure M97Xe is a good cart for the money.
Shure M97xE cartridge,Shure M97xE phono cartridge,Shure M97xE phonograph cartridge,Shure M97xE phonograph needle shop around you may one for less money. Hope this helps and welcome to the site.
Louis

 

[JMJVK]

Thank you gentlemen.

Two votes for the cartridge from Shure... I'm going to order the Shure M97XE phono cartridge and stylus.