I am getting New Needles/cartridges

[Ish]

I havn't purchased a new pair in years. What's the best bang for the buck these days?

Stanton? Shure?

And what stores in chicago sell em?

I might try to buy a pair tonight after work if I can get to a place that has em.

Thanks!

[Ish]

Shure SC35C

These are real cheap, anyone know if they are alright?

[konbit]

Get Grado DJ200s (around $100), or Grado DJ100 (around $60). Hands down, the best DJ carts.

[Ish]

Originally posted by konbit:
Get Grado DJ200s (around $100), or Grado DJ100 (around $60). Hands down, the best DJ carts. so I could get a pair of these Grado DJ100 for about 120?

I guess thats not too bad. Ill read up on em, thanks!

[Ish]

They seem to be highly regarded.

I am out of touch with needle standards, maybe I never was in touch though.

Are these DJ100's durable? I am kind of looking for a pair that I can take with me traveling and what not... SO I was just thinking of getting cheaper ones. But I'll spend the extra loot if these are as good and durable as the specs say they are.

Anyone else have experience with them? Skipping? Back-cuing?

[The Real Dragonfly Jones]

Ish... Everybody's raving about Grados. So I bought a pair of DJ100s about a month ago. I don't even use them. Yeah they sound great.. but the elliptical styli are so frail, I can't do any backcuing... I set them up properly (per directions), even tried setting improperly to get a better skip resistance. No use. In my honest opinion... they handle like shit!!! But if you're not gonna do alot of back-cuing.. give them a try.

[Ish]

Originally posted by Excel:
Ish... Everybody's raving about Grados. So I bought a pair of DJ100s about a month ago. I don't even use them. Yeah they sound great.. but the elliptical styli are so frail, I can't do any backcuing... I set them up properly (per directions), even tried setting improperly to get a better skip resistance. No use. In my honest opinion... they handle like shit!!! But if you're not gonna do alot of back-cuing.. give them a try. thats what I was worried about tho.

I back cue almost too much, having come from a hip-hop background originally. So I am already thinking the Shure's will be my best bet...

Thanks for the heads up!

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Ish:
Shure SC35C

These are real cheap, anyone know if they are alright? SC35C's are pretty much still the standard DJ cartridge for all-around use. I've used them for about 20 years now, and went back to them after Stanton discontinued the original GrooveMasters. Yes they're cheap ($35), but they do the job. The SC35C's use spherical stylus', which are much more durable if you backcue or scratch. Elliptical stylus' typically sound a little better, but don't track nearly as well, and are much harder on your records.
I tried the new Shure White Labels a couple weeks ago, and was very impresssed by them. They're simple to set up, sound good, and don't move at all!! Tracked perfectly right out of the box, which is rare. They cost quite a bit more ($93.99 at Gramaphones right now is the cheapest I've seen), but appear to be well worth the money.....JMJ

[Mike Sarkus]

Still like Stanton 680's best IMHO.

[Red D]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ish:
Shure SC35C

These are real cheap, anyone know if they are alright? SC35C's are pretty much still the standard DJ cartridge for all-around use. I've used them for about 20 years now, and went back to them after Stanton discontinued the original GrooveMasters. Yes they're cheap ($35), but they do the job. The SC35C's use spherical stylus', which are much more durable if you backcue or scratch. Elliptical stylus' typically sound a little better, but don't track nearly as well, and are much harder on your records.
I tried the new Shure White Labels a couple weeks ago, and was very impresssed by them. They're simple to set up, sound good, and don't move at all!! Tracked perfectly right out of the box, which is rare. They cost quite a bit more ($93.99 at Gramaphones right now is the cheapest I've seen), but appear to be well worth the money.....JMJ </font>[/QUOTE]Couldn't agree more JMJ, bought a pair last week (with taxes these go for $145 in Europe...) but I am glad I did, very easy, superb sound and no amazing tracking. Even succeeded in playing some recs I thought were lost because of scratches :D

RD

[Nik]

I'm glad you guys commented on the Shure White Labels! I've had my eye on these since they came out, but was worried that they may be just an inferior product with a cool look just to move some units. Never shoulda misguessed Shure's quality, I guess.

Just to add my own .02 re: carts, I've owned a pair of Shure SC35 for about four years and feel they are far superior to anything else you could buy in their price range...

[ April 19, 2003, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: Nik ]

[john]

I´d go with the shure m44g´s
from what people been telling me they have excellent sound, high output and are very easy on your records.

good luck /john

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Nik:
I'm glad you guys commented on the Shure White Labels! I've had my eye on these since they came out, but was worried that they may be just an inferior product with a cool look just to move some units. Never shoulda misguessed Shure's quality, I guess.

Just to add my own .02 re: carts, I've owned a pair of Shure SC35 for about four years and feel they are far superior to anything else you could buy in their price range... The White Labels are the real deal.....JMJ graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[Barrie Moodswing]

I use Ortofon DJ no jumps, great sound, but a bit pricey!!!!!!

[djmarbll]

I use the Ortofons myself. Pricey, but heavily efficient. And their output level is higher than the average needle. For the price though, I'd get the Shure SC35's. They're still the best overall cartridge I've ever used. The Grados are the best sounding, but are pretty delicate.

[DJ George Bates]

i use stanton trackmasters at home and ortofons ( silver ) when i'm out...try midwest on belmont and ashland.. tell betty that george from Buddha sent you. you'll get a slight deal...

[Prince HiFi]

I bought a pair of the Shure M35X carts, marketed as "house/techno" needles, and I thought the bass sounded weak and the overall soundstage sounded flat. I was very disappointed with them and Shure.

I went back to my Stanton 680HPs and am in love again with their deep bass and detailed but warm soundstage. This is a great needle for deep house IMO.

I haven't heard the Grados.


Prince HiFi

[nev m]

ORTOFON (long nosed carts) still saving for mine.

[ April 20, 2003, 02:48 AM: Message edited by: nev m ]

[GrantB]

Originally posted by john:
I´d go with the shure m44g´s
from what people been telling me they have excellent sound, high output and are very easy on your records.

good luck /john Yes yes yes and they track great too and are durable. They are good for mobile becuase you can leave the stylus guard mounted and just flip it down for an extra measure of protection.

They also sound MUCH better than the 35 series, though not as good as Grados.

I got them after the Groovemaster 1s were discontinued and shortly afterwards, all my friends switched to M44Gs and M447s from their expensive integrated headshell carts.

[kev]

Originally posted by JMJ:
The White Labels are the real deal.....JMJ graemlins/thumbsup.gif [/QB]I'll second that. The White Labels are probably some of the best needles i've every bought. Their output is louder than most other cartridges, they sound great, and they don't skip.