I'm wondering if there is a better way in a modern LP playback/transfer context to track some of the
old stereo records that were overcut. In a modern system, such as an Ortofon 2M Black or similar
slender stylus/compliant mechanism setup, the needle rattles around in the overcut parts of the
groove and you get fuzz distortion. With an older LP, not only was the groove likely overcut, but
when it was played on an older system, even a few times, the heavy/non-compliant system probably
made the problem worse for a modern pickup. So is there a modern cartridge that both sounds good and
is stiffer with perhaps a more blunt needle so as to hug the overcut groove? I tried a Stanton 500
with the standard conical stylus and did not like the sound quality, although it did produce less
fuzz distortion on the overcut parts. I don't have any budget to buy a custom stylus, but was
thinking about springing for a sub-$200 "DJ" cartridge, on the theory that this might be designed to
hug wide grooves and not rattle around. Thoughts and suggestions most welcome.
-- Tom Fine
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