I know this is all OT and I usually just email people directly.
Here's the deal on ortofons.
you can take my opinion or leave it.
As a tablist who also enjoys listening to records when not skratching or
juggling
Ortofons (integrated headshell) are high quality. They produce great sound
when compared to any Stanton
however the Shure m447's (re-issues) sound better IMHO however
I have experienced some issues with Orts (as with all carts and styli)
however.
1. the little pin that holds the cart into the tonearm socket sometimes gets
pushed in and you
have to pull it out with pliers. (the warranty on Orts allows you to send
them in and get replacements...but you have to send them to Denmark)
2. the contacts tend to get "dirty" and a lot of people lick the tips (this
causes even more problems later on down)
you're better off using tissue paper with a dab of water. If you're really
picky just clean your carts with a good audio/video component cleaner from
radio shack before or after each use. Or do like I do and NEVER take them
off.
3. if you're into a lot of heavy skratching and juggling they will "eat" or
as we say "burn" your grooves.
the silver ones will burn faster next the back ones then the blues then the
black/yellow then the golds ones and the pink ones (skratch version) last.
Ortofon claims that you can "buy" into their carts and then upgrade by
simply changing styli but that makes no sense.
if the carts are supposed to make the sound better I don't see how the
silver cart with a more expensive tip (like for example with a blue tip)
will make your records sound better...this means that the only difference is
the styli and you're getting jerked by paying more for the expensive ones. I
haven't fully tested this out...I've only used the silver ones with their
styli and the blue ones with their styli and the black discos with the
yellow styli...I never even thought about changing the styli until someone
mentioned I should try...maybe I will test it out.
Shure does something similar with their m44-7's and their m44g's
apparently the g's have a higher output but the Shure needlez brothers have
assured many in the skratch community that the carts are all similar...it's
the styli that is interchangeable. they have never commented on Otrofons
however
If that's the case...run out and get a pair of silver Orts and when your
styli starts burning vinyl (usually means it's time to change styli)
just upgrade to a higher quality styli.
I hope that answers your question.
BTW I also think that the whole headshell issue is bogus. it's all a matter
of preference. Stanton used to make those headshells with the curl arm but
now they make Technics knock offs...it's really up to you if you want
"authentic" headshells or Stanton. Believe me you'll spend more time
worrying about height and weight adjustment then worrying about why your
headshell says Stanton instead of Technics.
hey who knows...you may even get into juggling and skratching and you'll
start putting dimes and pennies on top of your headshells to keep the stylus
in the groove. HAHA
Ed Portillo aka PMA
pma@xfader.com
http://xfader.com
Producer: The Turntablists Video Show
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