CD-4 Cartridge Stylus Recommendations

[Quad D]

Looks like one of those "Audiophile" cables that many here like to criticize as a waste of money. If the capacitance is as low as you say those cables might be well worth the price! They are directional as well which can't hurt.

These cables are quite inexpensive as audiophile cables go usually....

 

[Paul Pettegrove]

These were the Moving Coil CD-4 cartridges with their matching transformers.

Ortofon SL-15Q with Ortofon STM-75 Transformer
Ortofon SL-20Q with Ortofon MCA-76 Transformer

 

[fredblue]

These were the Moving Coil CD-4 cartridges with their matching transformers.

Ortofon SL-15Q with Ortofon STM-75 Transformer
Ortofon SL-20Q with Ortofon MCA-76 Transformer

i just picked up an MCA-76 on eBay at a price i was happy to take a punt on, wondering what other carts might work with it for CD-4?

 

[par4ken]

These were the Moving Coil CD-4 cartridges with their matching transformers.

Ortofon SL-15Q with Ortofon STM-75 Transformer
Ortofon SL-20Q with Ortofon MCA-76 Transformer

The MCA-76 is a pre-preamplifier not a transformer.

I have both the MCA-76 and the SL-20Q. My cartridge needs a re-tip. I was getting sandpaper quad on the inner grooves with the SL-20Q, I had bought it used so it was likely worn. Through careless handling I broke the tip off.

 

[edisonbaggins]

Currently thinking about an AT VM95SH (new) or a Pickering XUV-4500Q (used).
Any opinions as to which is the better performer?
If the VM95SH is close or better, seems an obvious choice.
Yet.. is there some other new model I should consider, in that case?

 

[Quad D]

I don't know about the Pickering. The other current model I know works very well is Audio Technica VM540ML. Slightly brighter than VM95SH, but for most current tastes maybe not a bad thing (closer to MC sound).

 

[kfbkfb]

https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-still-in-the-fight.32705/page-12#post-646504
Looks like the AT-VM95SH isn't suitable for CD-4.


Kirk Bayne

 

[edisonbaggins]

I don't know about the Pickering. The other current model I know works very well is Audio Technica VM540ML. Slightly brighter than VM95SH, but for most current tastes maybe not a bad thing (closer to MC sound).

I'll try to find specs for all three.
Or maybe the VM740ML. Higher model number, better specs?

 

[edisonbaggins]

https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-still-in-the-fight.32705/page-12#post-646504
Looks like the AT-VM95SH isn't suitable for CD-4.


Kirk Bayne

@Quad D says it works:
Post in thread 'CD-4 Cartridge Stylus Recommendations' CD-4 Cartridge Stylus Recommendations

 

[kfbkfb]

Maybe try to negotiate being able to return the AT-VM95SH if it doesn't work for CD-4 (be sure to try some of the "problem" CD-4 discs - some of the ones made after mid-1975 are mastered with high volume levels in the baseband/sum/stereo compatible part of the sound [other posters can probably provide a list of which CD-4 discs are difficult to decode due to this issue]).

edit: IIRC, some of the "problem" CD-4 discs:
A&M QU-54519 Cat Stevens Greatest Hits
Arista AQ-4001 Godspell
Arista AQ-4090 Barry Manilow - This One's For You

(I have the 1st 2, but my CD-4 setup is marginal)


Kirk Bayne

 

[edisonbaggins]

Maybe try to negotiate being able to return the AT-VM95SH if it doesn't work for CD-4 (be sure to try some of the "problem" CD-4 discs - some of the ones made after mid-1975 are mastered with high volume levels in the baseband/sum/stereo compatible part of the sound [other posters can probably provide a list of which CD-4 discs are difficult to decode due to this issue]).


Kirk Bayne

It's available from Amazon. They're pretty good about no questions asked refunds.

If I get a worn Pickering, who knows if the seller will be empathetic.

 

[edisonbaggins]

VM740ML

• Type: VM
• Frequency Response: 20 to 27,000Hz
• Output Voltage: 4.0mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.)
• Channel Separation: 28dB (1kHz)
• Output Balance: 1.0dB (1kHz)
• Tracking Force: 1.8 to 2.2g (2.0g standard)
• Coil Impedance: 2.7k ohms (1kHz)
• DC Resistance: 800 ohms
• Load Impedance: 47k ohms
• Load Capacitance: 100 to 200pF
• Coil Inductance: 460mH (1kHz)
• Static Compliance: 40×10 -6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 10×10 -6 cm/dyne (100Hz)
• Stylus: Nude MicroLine (2.2×0.12mil)
• Cantilever: Aluminum tapered pipe
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
• Dimensions: H17.3×W17.0×D28.2mm
• Weight: 8.0g
• Replacement Stylus (Sold Separately): VMN40ML
• Accessories Included: Four cartridge installation screws (5 mm x 2, 10 mm x 2), two washers, two hexagon nuts, non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, lead wire set

 

[edisonbaggins]

VM750SH

• Type: VM
• Frequency Response: 20 to 27,000Hz
• Output Voltage: 4.0mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.)
• Channel Separation: 30dB (1kHz)
• Output Balance: 1.0dB (1kHz)
• Tracking Force: 1.8 to 2.2g (2.0g standard)
• Coil Impedance: 2.7k ohms (1kHz)
• DC Resistance: 800 ohms
• Load Impedance: 47k ohms
• Load Capacitance: 100 to 200pF
• Coil Inductance: 460mH (1kHz)
• Static Compliance: 40×10 -6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 10×10 -6 cm/dyne (100Hz)
• Stylus: Nude Shibata (2.7×0.26mil)
• Cantilever: Aluminum tapered pipe
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
• Dimensions: H17.3×W17.0×D28.2mm
• Weight: 8.0g
• Replacement Stylus (Sold Separately): VMN50SH
• Accessories Included: Four cartridge installation screws (5 mm x 2, 10 mm x 2), two washers, two hexagon nuts, non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, lead wire set

 

[edisonbaggins]

VM95SH

Specifications

Cartridge & Stylus
Frequency Response	20-25,000 Hz
Channel Separation	23 (dB at 1 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Angle	23°
Vertical Tracking Force	1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
Stylus Construction	Nude square shank
Recommended Load Impedance	47,000 ohms
Coil Impedance	3.3 k ohms (1 kHz)
DC Resistance	485 ohms
Coil Inductance	550 mH (1 kHz)
Output Voltage	3.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
Output Channel Balance	1.5 dB (1 kHz)
Stylus Shape	2.7 x 0.26 mil Shibata
Cantilever	Aluminum pipe
Static Compliance	20 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne
Dynamic Compliance	10 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne (100 Hz)
Mounting	Half-inch
Cartridge Weight	6.1g
Dimensions	17.2 mm (0.68") H × 18.9 mm (0.74") W × 28.3 mm (1.20") D
Accessories Included	Two 11 mm installation screws, two 8 mm installation screws, two washers, nonmagnetic screwdriver
Model	AT-VM95SH
Mounting Feature	Half-inch mount
Recommended Load Capacitance	100 to 200 pF
Replacement Stylus	AT-VMN95SH
Stylus Size	2.7 x 0.26mil
Type	VM Stereo Dual Magnet
Weight	6.1 g (0.22 oz)
Wire Used for Coil	T.P. Copper

 

[edisonbaggins]

Pickering XUV 4500 Q

Specifications​

Stylus: quadrahedral

Tracking force: 2g with brush

Output: 3.4mV

Channel balance: 1.5dB maximum difference

Channel separation: 25dB

Frequency response: 10 to 50,000Hz

Load resistance: 100,000 ohms

Load capacitance: 100pF

Cartridge colour: electric black

Cartridge weight: 6.5g including brush

 

[tonyE]

Only two cartridges on the list are available as new, so that is the most logical choice. You can add AT VM95SH to the list, also current, and cheapest. I can confirm it works well.
If we go with vintage cartridges, many can be added to the list, but unless you have a soft spot for one of them or require their specific sound, chasing styluses becomes an issue.
Of current ones Ortofon Blue and Grado Opus3 also work, but not universal enough to be recommended because both have elliptical stylus.
Shure V15 VxMR works well, and V15 III also surprisingly works, but with some reservations.

Hmm... will my Grado Master 2, low output, work? The only issue is the 1mV output.

My TT is a Linn LP12 with OEM cabling.

I tried to buy a transformer for the Grado, to use with my CD4 demodulators, but the sale fell through.

 

[edisonbaggins]

From the 4 separate specs I posted above, I note that only the Pickering claims response beyond 27kHz.

 

[kfbkfb]

One benefit of FM is that it doesn't need flat frequency response, so long as there's enough signal level for the FM decoder, FM decoding works.

In other words, even if the signal at 45kHz is much weaker than the signal at 18kHz, if it's strong enough for the FM decoder to latch on to, then the FM decoder will demodulate the FM and (in this case) retrieve the CD-4 difference signals.

My guess is that the switch on the back of the Lafayette CD-4 demod boosts the signal level so that 45kHz is likely to be high enough for the FM decoder to latch on to.

edit: a cart that doesn't list frequency response to 45kHz could still work for CD-4.


Kirk Bayne

 

[edisonbaggins]

Does anybody know if JICO replacement styli are as good as the originals?
For instance, the D-4500Q
https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/d4500q/

 

[edisonbaggins]

Replacement stylus for the Empire 4000D/III
https://www.dacapoaudio.com/741-s-4000-stylus-for-empire-4000-d-iii.htmlSo far, out of everything I've reseached, the 4000D/III has the best specs.