Hi all.
I have a Rega Planar 3 with Linn K5 cartridge. However the stylus is now worn, after many years and needs replacement. It would appear the stylus is no longer available. The replacement I've been recommended is: audio technica atn95ex.
Could I please ask you, the informed, your thoughts. Or should I replace the entire cartridge? . Sadly, money is a big problem. £50 maximum I fear any advice gratefully received. . Thanks. Nick.
The K5 is very similar to the current standard AT VM95E (eliptical stylus). AFAIK the AT VM95 replaced the old AT95 which the K5/K9 are based on. The VM95 uses one body and then adds on a number of different stylus', this seems to be the way these days as it is the same with the Ortofon OM series and the 2M series.
The C is the bottom of the ladder with a cyclindrical tip, the E comes next with the standard eliptical (cartridge and sytlus are £41 so well within budget), the EN is then the eliptical nude (£100) which is the K9 equivalent and then the ML microlenear akin to the K18 (£150) (I have this one) and top of the tree is the SH Shibata (upgraded microlinear).
For info I think the VM95 and 2M series a can be lined us as -
E = Red
EN = Blue
ML = Bronze
If you like the K5 sound then I would probably update to the VM95E for £43 and you may even get a few £ back for the K5 on ebay.
VM95 Series | Audio-Technica All Audio-Technica New VM95 Series Turntable Cartridges – Explore our full range of VM95 Series Turntable Audio-Technica Audiophile cartridges. Suitable for home Hi-Fi vinyl turntables, high end turntables and audiophile turntables. eu.audio-technica.com
Wow. There's a lot of information there. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
However, if the stylus is a direct fit to the K5 cartridge, is ithe necessary to replace the entire cartridge for the VM95. ?
I have to say my K5 has been wonderful for many years, but has lost it's shine because the stylus is as knackered as me! The cartridge should be fine and apparently the AT stylus fits straight to it?
Looks like stylus are around £30. Loads of info on this sale. Can’t recommend as I have the vm95ml.
Elliptical Stylus for Linn K9 K5 & Basik MM Cartridges on Sondek LP12 & Axis | eBay This is a low cost (or 'budget') stylus and does a more than adequate job of vinyl replay. However, you would not expect a budget stylus to perform as well as the original which was a nude mounted diamond with a 'Vital' profile. www.ebay.co.uk
Keep in mind that the Stylus is about 80% of the cost of the cartridge. These are tiny precision cut gemstones, and being so tiny, I expect the failure or reject rate is pretty high.
So, likely a new Cartridge is a better option.
The Audio Technica 95 or some variation of it, would probably be a good choice in your price range. However, with a Rega Planar 3, I would be more inclined to recommend something closer to £100, but that's your decision to make.
Thanks blue wizard for your response.
I must say, if I'm likely undo all the good work done by Rega by fitting a poor quality stylus, then maybe I should reconsider my budget? So... if I push to £100, what would be your recommendation?
I upgraded the Bias 2 on my RP1 Performance Pack and fitted a Nagaoka MP110 - as recommended by @SickSquirrel, above.
It's a cracker (though you might have to tweak the VTA).
If you can stretch your budget, they're around £115 and worth every penny, IMO.
The Audio Technica are fine. The mechanics of the 95-Series are all the same, but each higher models comes with a better Stylus. The 95E has an Elliptical which is fine.
E = Elliptical
EN = Eliptical Nude
ML = Microline
S= Shibata
SN = Shibata Nude
C = Conical
...
But I think I might be more willing to look into the Audio Technica 500 Series which have a DUAL Moving Magnet configuration.
[url=/proxy.php?link=https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/category/691/cartridges/?sort=Order+By+Lowest+Price&filters[status]=&filters[brand]=Goldring&filters[Product+Type]=&filters[78+RPM]=&filters[Cartridge+Type]=&filters[Weight+%28g%29]=&filters[Range]=&filters[Mono]=&filters[Replaceable+Stylus]=&filters[price]=&hash=be51c280a306f9ab9b87738e12dfe5ea] Cartridges - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists [/url] Don't neglect the importance of a quality cartridge to get the best from your vinyl collection. Benefits include less noise and wider dynamic range. www.audiovisualonline.co.uk Sumiko Oyster Moving Magnet Cartridge - Cartridges - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists The Sumiko Oyster moving magnet cartridge is an excellent upgrade choice offering a high level of refinement uncommon for a cartridge at this pricepoint . www.audiovisualonline.co.uk
REGA also makes their own cartridge -
| Hifix The Hi Fi Professionals HiFix The Hi Fi Professionals | Authorised Brands Dealer | Finance for purchases over £300 | Lowest price Guarantee | Next Day Delivery from HiFix www.hifix.co.uk
The REGA Elys 2 is generally considered an upgrade from the standard cartridge -
Rega Elys 2 Cartridge The Rega Elys 2 Cartridge was specifically designed with the RB300 tonearm in mind and has a three-point mounting system, this moving magnet cartridge hand assembled by Rega and is a great upgrade for all Rega Planar turntables www.hifix.co.uk
In the increased suggested price range, I would personally be intrigued by the Audio Technica 520 Dual Magnet (VM520EB) that I linked to above.
Well. Thanks all for all the information.
I'm glad I made the original post, but now find myself in quite a dilemma!!.
I have done a little research and really rather fancy a nagaoka MP110. I will have to save for a little while though.
Thenter there's the vm520. Dual magnet. The idea of independent magnets for channels makes sense. I really don't like the hinged stylus guard hanging off the front though. And can't help thinking it will affect tracking. Any weight in front of the stylus looks odd to me!
Just as a final thought, would anybody here ever consider buying second hand?. How does one know if you're buying a knackered old thing like my current K5. Which I would never sell because it's tired!!!
There's a couple of affordable K9'service on ebay, but I'm seriously concerned about buying one!
28-11-2019 02:38:14
any advice gratefully received. . Thanks. Nick.
eu.audio-technica.com
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