ajxd Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I have yet to hear one in person (trying to make that happen this weekend), but does anyone have any experience? I've read plenty of reviews online, but didn't know if anyone on here had any impression. I've been offered a nice price on one (about 22% off), and want to know any opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I'm interested in the performance. What is it that makes you interested? (Besides the deal) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 I've always liked Ortofons. This was supposed to be their replacement for the Rondo line, their MC partner to the 2M line, and I liked the 2M Blue. I still want to try MC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I know you didn't really like the Denon you tried, and since it seems like you'd like to compare it to your 2M Blue, maybe try to get a similar deal on the Quintet Blue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 I could get a similar deal... But the price difference is almost double the price of the Red. It's moving up to a whole new price level. I may just make the plunge on the Red, and I bet I could sell it for what I paid (if not more considering the deal). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heypeterman Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I just got a Quintet Black, moved up from a Vivo Blue. I also own a 2M Blue, have owned a 2M Bronze and heard the other 2M cartridges. I'm awful with describing what I like in audio but I found the Vivo Blue better than the 2M Blue but not quite as detailed as the 2M Bronze. The 2M Black is fantastic but isn't close to the Quintet Black. I'm not sure how much any of this helps but if you have a 2M Blue, I think the Quintet Red may be a sideways move. I will say the Quintet was a dream to install and align. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 This was very helpful, thank you. I do not have the 2M Blue, anymore. Someone offered to buy it for more than what I paid, and I had recently bought a Denon DL-103. Ended up hating the Denon and returned it. So currently without a cartridge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Have you tried a Nagaoka? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 After having a Japanese ex-wife, I don't trust the Japanese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 After having a Japanese ex-wife, I don't trust the Japanese. Makes perfect sense to me. A high output Benz Micro might be more to your liking then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 Honestly, I can't find a good Nagaoka dealer for US. But I have been looking into Benz as well. My conditions are 1. MC 2. $300 and under. 3. Not Ortofon 2M Series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I can vouch for the Naggy's but the new prices are very high for what they are considering they are exactly the same as the original range but with a 0 on the end of the model number and different colours. You can still pick up NOS original MP15 or 20 styli every now and then and both are very good carts but obviously not MC, the MP10, 15 and 20 bodies are identical I've also been looking at Benz for a good while now and thought they went belly up a while ago but they seem to be available again so I'm going to treat myself for Christmas I expect, they used to do a superb trade in thing where the replacement cost after the initial outlay was something like 20% which I doubt they do any more. I've not seen a bad review of them but have never heard one so am still not sure. I was looking at an Ace a while ago which comes in 3 different output levels but this was around the time they just disappeared so ended up spending the money elsewhere. Now i'm looking at a Gold which is a bit lower down the food chain and at around £265 here might be a little over budget but have a look around as you could get a deal and there is also the Silver which is the high output version. If I get one first I will let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heypeterman Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 A customer came in today and told me that he was comparing the 2M Blue and Quintet Red. He said it wasn't close, the Quintet Red was much better. But he also says he prefers the Denon DL-103 which you say you don't like. I think he's using the new Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable but not sure about his phono stage. I should have mentioned before, I work for an Ortofon dealer but we only carry the 2M series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 I use a Pro-Ject 1.3 and the tonearm compliance just did not match well with the 103. It's a very light arm, and not well suited for the 103. Sadly- had some emergency vet bill just come up. I'll be delaying cartridge purchase a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuit bored records Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 ^hope everything's okay with your pet, dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Not the best news. My 15 year old cat (Orange one in profile pic) started having behavioral changes. Found out his kidneys aren't functioning as they should. He had life threatening levels Friday. Luckily with my resources in my work field, I've been able to pump a lot of IV fluids in him at home and change him to a speciality diet. We'll see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oracle Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I can vouch for the Naggy's but the new prices are very high for what they are considering they are exactly the same as the original range but with a 0 on the end of the model number and different colours. You can still pick up NOS original MP15 or 20 styli every now and then and both are very good carts but obviously not MC, the MP10, 15 and 20 bodies are identical I've also been looking at Benz for a good while now and thought they went belly up a while ago but they seem to be available again so I'm going to treat myself for Christmas I expect, they used to do a superb trade in thing where the replacement cost after the initial outlay was something like 20% which I doubt they do any more. I've not seen a bad review of them but have never heard one so am still not sure. I was looking at an Ace a while ago which comes in 3 different output levels but this was around the time they just disappeared so ended up spending the money elsewhere. Now i'm looking at a Gold which is a bit lower down the food chain and at around £265 here might be a little over budget but have a look around as you could get a deal and there is also the Silver which is the high output version. If I get one first I will let you know how I get on. The Gold is a very good cartridge, in fact, I haven't heard better in it's price range. I have found that it sounds best in high mass suspended turtables. I have an ACE on my Sota Sapphire & would not hesitate to recommend the Gold as it posseses all of the most important qualities of a M.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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