phono cartridge recommendation please

[vagabond]

I want to digitize all my dance music vinyl from 80's, 90's and pre 2005. Dance music is very bass-heavy and I am looking for a cartridge under $200 to do the digital transfer.

Here is what I am using:

Technics 1200 turntable
Fireface 400 at full 176KHz 24bit depth
Bias Peak Pro 6.0.4
Macbook Pro

I currently have DJ cartridges and I would rather buy another cartridge that is more geared towards archiving my vinyl dance records than DJing.

Many thanks in advance!!

vagabond

[tINY]

The Shure 97 type runs about $120. It's got a good balance and seems to work well over a wide range of tracking forces (probably becuase of the brush attached to it).



-tINY

[mbrebes]

I get good results archiving vinyl with a Stanton 681EEE cartridge. They are pretty flat.

[loujudson]

Originally Posted by mbrebes

I get good results archiving vinyl with a Stanton 681EEE cartridge. They are pretty flat.

second this. I just repalced the stylus in my old 681 and it sounds fabulous! Makes me need a new turntable. Tracks at 1.5 grams so keeps the records as pristine as possible.

Good preamp is essential though. What are you using for that - EQing in the computer does not work very well, and the appropriate preamp matches and loads the cartridge properly.

lou

[vagabond]

First off, thanks for the responses so far.

Oh yea, I forgot about phono preamp. I am using the stock phono preamp in my Rane MP2016 Rotary mixer and coming out of the main outputs (XLR), connecting to inputs 5 and 6 on the Fireface 400.

Thanks again,

vagabond

[Jidis]

Originally Posted by tINY

The Shure 97 type runs about $120.

I've got one close to that range. It's a V15 I think. It's got the brush in front and all, but mine is way fragile and I think it tracks pretty low (1.something grams). I broke it once just cleaning it off and the repair was about 75% of what the whole thing ran. It's weird but my Stanton DJ cartridges (680EL?) used to sound a lot smoother than that one. Seems like the Shure is more susceptible to crackle, but it could just be an extended range thing (or the Stanton is gouging down into the vinyl ). Never did understand that stuff.

[ulysses]

My two bandmates who used to work at the Needle Doctor both claim the best value in phono cartridges for straight playback (no backtracking) was the Grado Black, which was in the range of $40 last time I checked (a while ago). You can use an elliptical stylus for transcription, which will give you more detail than the round stylus you need for club work.

For transcription work, you'll be better off using a belt-drive table if you can locate a decent one. The Technics 1200 is the standard DJ turntable, partly because you need a direct-drive table if you're going to do any kind of manipulation. For straight transfers, the direct-drive table will have a lot more rumble, which will interfere with that big bottom you want so much to keep. A belt drive effectively decouples the platter from the motor. Of course if your choice is between your 1200 and some really crummy belt-drive, you stick with the better machine.

[MichaelPatrick]

+1 for Grado thumbsup
I got a Prestige Red and it's just awesome.

Originally Posted by ulysses

My two bandmates who used to work at the Needle Doctor both claim the best value in phono cartridges for straight playback (no backtracking) was the Grado Black, which was in the range of $40 last time I checked (a while ago)...

[EveAnna Manley]

Another vinyl-centric dealer to talk to would be Acoustic Sounds.

[vagabond]

Thank you all for your comments.

[Monkey Mouse]

Under $200, I would go for one of the new Ortofon series carts. Good bang for the buck and work well with the 1200. The one item you need to spend some time on is alignment... Makes a huge difference.

[SeanBlack]

and over $200...Koetsu!!!

LP Gear: Koetsu cartridge