New Turntable or New Cartridge?

[netroamer]

I use my turntable infrequently, however, since McIntosh announced the MT5, I have been giving more thought to that part of my system.
I currently have a Denon DP-2000 turntable with a Dynavector DV-505 arm and a 25+ year old Dynavector 20B2 cartridge. The processor is a McIntosh MX150 that has a phono input configured for a MM cartridge,
I am wrestling with the thoughts of either spending $5k for a new turntable or $700-800 for a new cartridge such as the Ortofon Black 2M and keeping the rest.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[jdandy]

John.......The Denon DP-2000 looks like a nice direct drive turntable. If the bearing and motor are still quiet and you still like the eccentric design of the Dynavector DV-505 tonearm, the price of a new Ortofon 2M Black will be easier to handle than the new MT5 turntable/cartridge combo. I haven't seen or heard the new MT5 turntable, but I suspect it is a step up from your present analog setup. You could always sell the Denon DP-2000 with the tonearm to help recover some of the cost of the new MT5.

I guess the real question is, how infrequently do you use a turntable and will it be a source you'll ignore in the future or actually use?

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by netroamer

I use my turntable infrequently, however, since McIntosh announced the MT5, I have been giving more thought to that part of my system.
I currently have a Denon DP-2000 turntable with a Dynavector DV-505 arm and a 25+ year old Dynavector 20B2 cartridge. The processor is a McIntosh MX150 that has a phono input configured for a MM cartridge,
I am wrestling with the thoughts of either spending $5k for a new turntable or $700-800 for a new cartridge such as the Ortofon Black 2M and keeping the rest.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Normally I'd say go for a better arm/table but you're saying the cartridge is 25 yo and you haven't replaced/retipped, etc.? If so, that cartridge suspension is dried out and the stylus is worn eg. the transducer is probably DOA. You'd get a real bang for the buck with a new cartridge.

[Catcher10]

That's a nice table.........I say go for a new cartridge.

[greekgod]

I'm also pretty amazed that your cart still works at all. As long as your arm has VTA adjustment, the Ortofon Black 2M should be a huge upgrade in sound.

As beautiful as it is, I suspect that there will be far better tables out there than the MT5 in that price range. McIntosh makes amazing preamps/amps but the rest of their products are overpriced, IMO.

[jdandy]

John.......It has been a few days since you asked for advice. Have you made a decision on whether to go with a new Ortofon 2M Black phono cartridge or the new McIntosh MT5 turntable/cartridge combo?

[1KW]

I think a new tt as well as a modern new cartridge will increase your enthusiasm for listening to vinyl.

[netroamer]

Originally Posted by greekgod

I'm also pretty amazed that your cart still works at all. As long as your arm has VTA adjustment, the Ortofon Black 2M should be a huge upgrade in sound.

As am I. My system is pretty unforgiving and the vinyl still sounds good to me.

Originally Posted by jdandy

John.......It has been a few days since you asked for advice. Have you made a decision on whether to go with a new Ortofon 2M Black phono cartridge or the new McIntosh MT5 turntable/cartridge combo?

Thanks to all for the comments. I thought a new TT and Cart would be the way to go. But, I now am leaning toward a new cartridge and picking up a few accessories such as the Fozgometer or the Adjust+ software to help with the setup.

Originally Posted by 1KW

I think a new tt as well as a modern new cartridge will increase your enthusiasm for listening to vinyl.

I am trying to temper the idea of a new "toy" with a recent trend, in thinking, on my part, not to solve a problem by simply throwing money at it.

[1KW]

If you didn't really want a new turntable you would never have started this thread I had a technique turntable very similar tone arm design to the denon and I thought it sounded fine until I heard better. We are here to spend your money

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by netroamer

As am I. My system is pretty unforgiving and the vinyl still sounds good to me.

I think the problem is--and sure many have had similar experiences--that the ear gets used to the sound. Put a new cartridge in and then you'll wonder how you listened to the old transducer for as long as you did. I think it's a pretty safe bet that this 25 yo cartridge's elastomeric damping is dried out; amazing the suspension hasn't collapsed.