The Grado will work with a booster gain stage, with some loss of CD-4 signal, depending on how you do it, MC transformers are not good because Grado needs 47 k loading like a MM(I) cartridge. I did try the booster with Statement, not ideal, I did not try directly but I am almost sure 1 mV is too low for a demodulator.
Yeah! I saw that and have been following your cart/stylus adventure (and others' on the forum), very similar to mine. I've had an AT440MLa for a while but set it up on a turntable with problems. It played the first half of a side really well. I've been looking for a cart already setup on a table because I think my biggest issue is alignment. I used to do it visually and square up the stylus perpendicular to a line from spindle to edge of record over the range of travel, but after trying a GeoDisc and an aftermarket Dual overhang gauge from ebay I'm more uncertain than when I started.
I definitely have interest in the AT-VM95SH. We'll see how huge a PITA it will be to install the Pickering. VTA & protractor set standing by.
I was very fanatical about tracking error, until I realized the cartridge intrinsic tracking ability on inner grooves has more of an impact than my fanatical precision. In other words, great tracking cartridge with low IGD and somewhat in the ballpark alignment sounds better than the average cartridge with fanatically precise tracking error alignment. Since than I somewhat relaxed my precision, and focus more on other things, like reducing harmful mechanical resonances and vibration transfer between the cartridge and rest of the turntable. It also greatly improves tracking on high/medium compliance cartridges.
Ouch, I have the MCA-76 (Preamplifier, I stand corrected) as well. In search of the that missing NOS SL-20Q. I have two EPC-460c with new OEM Shibata and a SH-400 (many other demodulators as well, various states) I've got an AT20Sla with a reproduction Shibata. Been looking for a Micro Acoustics QDC-1g as well. My comparitive test bed is rebuilding a couple of JVC JL-A40 turntables. Australia is the place! Bought replacement capacitor kits, and recently some plastic cuing cams (3D printed), looking at audio out options for RCA or better cables and maybe power cords.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.
Have you tried any linear tracking turntables and/or tonearms (I wanted to get a good turntable w/linear tracking tonearm, but about the time I was interested in upgrading, digital audio was on the horizon, so I bought a low end turntable which I still use)?
My friend had a Yamaha linear tracker, the fancy famous one (don't remember the model now), it sounded good when it was working right, but often we had to fiddle with it. I think the benefits of linear tracking are realized only on expensive contemporary designs, the legacy stuff is hit and miss. I personally think tonearm tracing error (when properly set) is less audible than the dominant characteristics of the cartridge mounted on it. So I don't see a problem with the regular tonearm, and don't think about linear trackers.
I used to use the JVC X1. It was excellent until the X2 came along which was better. However, the best was the Grado Signature G3 mounted in a Grace G707 on a Linn LP12 turntable. CD4 reproduction was so clear!Ok, folks! Lots of CD-4 advice has been exchanged over the last few weeks. It's all much appreciated!
I think it would be helpful (to me) to break down the advice by specific items.
So... carts and styluses!
Here are the compiled recommendations, thus far (updated 8/8/2022):
ADC
ZLM
SX LM MK II
Audio Technica
AT440MLA
AT440MLB
AT12SA
AT14SA
AT15SA
AT15SS
AT20SS
AT20SLA
AT912Sa
ATVM740ML
Band & Olufsen
MMC6000
MMC5000
Empire
4000D I/II/III
440D
Grace (Sumiko)
F8/F
F8/E
F-9F
F-9U
JVC
X 1
4MD-20x
CD4-1000
Micro/Acoustics
QDC-1G
Nakamichi
MC-1000
Ortofon
SL20Q
MC-20
MC-20 Mk II
Panasonic
EPC-451
EPC-450C II
Pickering
XUV-4500Q
UV15-2400Q
UV15-2000Q
Pioneer
PC-Q1
Satin
M-117X
Shure
M 24H
Sonic Research
Blue Label
Silver Label P
Stanton
780-4DQ
780-Q
Strain gauge
???
Technics
EPC-45OC-II
Win Laboratories
SDT-10
Criteria I care about:
1) Easy compatibility, e.g. some carts/stylii need a special preamp. Let's avoid those, unless they're clearly ultra superior. Bear in mind that a TT and/or demod might need to be acquired, so a cart/stylus that plays well with lots of gear will leave the most options later.
2) Currently manufactured, i.e. let's avoid discontinued models that might, or might not, be available.
3) Value, e.g. let's avoid $5k carts. Several hundred dollars is doable.
4) Good sound! Let's avoid products that really just don't do it for ya! I'm no audiophile. If it's decent, I should be happy.
Thanks for the help! I'd like to make a cart/stylus purchase soon and get this show on the road, as they say!
I had a Garrard Zero 100 turntable. I thought that the idea behind the linear or tangential tracking was very cool and should be much better than the more conventional design. Well it wouldn't track any record that was the least bit warped. I even tried adding a "DiscTracker" to it , all to no avail. IMHO Garrard's design was more of a gimmick you don't see any tonearms built that way any more!
My experience with AT95SH on CD-4 was great, worked very well with clean tracking and handles even the badly worn CD-4 records.
Ah! So that's why there weren't more models and manufacturers coming out with this arm. It looked so cool on paper. But now we know. Thank you!
I remember seeing that arm back in the 70s, and I didn’t see how adding that many more friction points was going to either help with tracking or last more than a short while.
Garrard had 3 pantograph arm turntables: 0-100, 0-92, and 0-2000. The arms had too much mass.
