Turntable stylus sound quality difference

babagali · January 15, 2018, 12:58pm

Hi All,
I was wondering if any one can hear the sound differences between different stylus on turntables.
I am considering replacing my Ortofon Om5e to Ortofon 20.
the price is very high and i was wondering if the sound quality difference between the two will justify the price £125.
Thanks.

Stickhit · January 15, 2018, 4:28pm

There can indeed be differences in sound quality between different stylus cartridges. Moving coil are considered to be better than moving magnet but they often need a pre, pre-amp because they have a lower output.

However, to get the best from an expensive cartridge it needs to be matched to a good tonearm and turntable and be setup correctly to ensure optimum tracking.

InTheAM · January 15, 2018, 4:32pm

I was going to come in and recommend Schure Whitelabels, but you I see you are getting real fancy up in here

stutech · January 15, 2018, 4:37pm

the cartridge is just one part of the equation as stated. Do you have a hi-fi turntable or a DJ turntable?

babagali · January 15, 2018, 4:57pm

I have a pro-Ject debut turntable with Cambridge pre amp

xidnpnlss · January 15, 2018, 5:24pm

Have you upgraded the platter yet? That should be your first upgrade of that table. Other upgrades will only be hampered by the platter. Thing is like a lightening rod.

https://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Acryl-It-Platter-Upgrade

Nice setup, btw.

dcsux · January 15, 2018, 5:44pm

I found this article interesting.

Talking about styli/carts for different purposes (DJing vs. just listening), but some of the same principles apply.

coda · January 15, 2018, 5:46pm

I love the Whitelabels

stutech · January 15, 2018, 6:59pm

Great article! Like he said ”This is, like, really serious engineering stuff.".

I too think that the tech of vinyl is very complex and pretty much a lost art these days… Not that many who understand all that stuff.

InTheAM · January 15, 2018, 9:30pm

I don’t even play vinyl on the rare occasion I DJ these days, but when I went to shop for a turntable it didn’t occur to me to buy one from a home stereo place, I just went with a belt driven DJ deck for sampling and listening. Its like “Oh hey, the place I buy my synths and shit sells turn tables too. I remembered Shure whitelabels from the short moment back in time when I was playing vinyl as a DJ (Yea, yea, I know kids and their damn digital…hahahaha)