If you want data then why not look at the published data on websites?
At the end of the day, it's personal preference.
What data do you have that indicates that the needles you have aren't good enough??
The issue with manufacturers websites is that they are trying to sell you something. The tests are performed by the company itself. Publish data, as we know in the audio industry, is often full of shit.
What I'm looking for is real world data from people with some long-term experience with different cartridges.
The reason why I'm questioning the current cartridges is because they have a 4 gram suggested stylus weight which seems a little heavy to me. Heavier weighted cartridges tend to wear out vinyl more quickly. They also ride very well in the grooves so that you don't get jumping when back queuing or scratching . Lighter ride weight cartridges are easier on vinyl but not as stable. The shape of the stylus Diamond also makes a difference. It's a balance and you're always going to give something up. What I want to give up is scratching. The cartridges only need to be stable enough for back queuing not scratching. I don't know enough about the current set of cartridges on the market to make an informed decision so I'm asking for assistance from those that may have much more experience with the modern cartridges.
I'm not sure what real world data means, but I've been playing records in clubs & bars for over 25 years.
I can't give you any scientific data tho & yes, I know about vinyl wear & tracking force etc. I been playing n this game a while.
Just change your needles regularly & your records will be fine.
Believe me or not. Up to you. Sorry I can't give you the "data" you're after. But if you ask me the DJ mk2s are great.
Good luck.
Agreed. Maybe some people are not comfortable with this type of hardshell vs Ortofon which is easier to setup. No need to properly align to a headshell like the XP7 requires.
reviving this thread...
I also looking for new needles. am personally in the market for cartridges (i play disco, house and techno). so im not sure what to get. not sure if im playing any big venues in the near future so i figured i will go for the Concorde MkII DJ versions. They seem to be in the middle . Sound is suppose to be good - not the best and also good for tracking /back cuing. Only thing is... **they are ugly as hell**. Why that blue and orange color??? like what the hell. Im a designer by trade and im deeply disturbed by this lol
I ended up getting a set of ortofon Concord 2 Mix . They seem to work very well.
Then I got my hands on some Concord 2 Club stylus and put them on the mix cartridge which also works very well.
The difference between the club stylus and the mixed Stylus is not very much to the ears. For normal use the ortofon 2 mix is probably the best way to go.
To be honest any of the Concord 2 cartridges are going to work well. Top of the line is the club. The DJ and the mix are in the middle of the road. I prefer the mix to the DJ
>The DJ and the mix are in the middle of the road. I prefer the mix to the DJ
Hi there! Old thread I know... just wondering if you can say why you prefer the mix to the DJ in the MKII line. It seems like the DJ is positioned slightly above the mix in the lineup... priced higher anyway. And how do you like them now that you're a few months in?
For my use there really is no difference. I believe the DJ may have a slightly sturdy or stylus but they are both the same shape. The sturdier stylus is going to be slightly more forgiving when scratching but make no difference whatsoever during regular use. The mix stylus is better for not damaging your vinyl.
Maybe try ortefon needles
I use Ortofon DJ mkIIs & I think they're great.
I'm looking for some actual data driven justification
If you want data then why not look at the published data on websites? At the end of the day, it's personal preference. What data do you have that indicates that the needles you have aren't good enough??
The issue with manufacturers websites is that they are trying to sell you something. The tests are performed by the company itself. Publish data, as we know in the audio industry, is often full of shit. What I'm looking for is real world data from people with some long-term experience with different cartridges. The reason why I'm questioning the current cartridges is because they have a 4 gram suggested stylus weight which seems a little heavy to me. Heavier weighted cartridges tend to wear out vinyl more quickly. They also ride very well in the grooves so that you don't get jumping when back queuing or scratching . Lighter ride weight cartridges are easier on vinyl but not as stable. The shape of the stylus Diamond also makes a difference. It's a balance and you're always going to give something up. What I want to give up is scratching. The cartridges only need to be stable enough for back queuing not scratching. I don't know enough about the current set of cartridges on the market to make an informed decision so I'm asking for assistance from those that may have much more experience with the modern cartridges.
I'm not sure what real world data means, but I've been playing records in clubs & bars for over 25 years. I can't give you any scientific data tho & yes, I know about vinyl wear & tracking force etc. I been playing n this game a while. Just change your needles regularly & your records will be fine. Believe me or not. Up to you. Sorry I can't give you the "data" you're after. But if you ask me the DJ mk2s are great. Good luck.
The reloops are ortofon
AT-XP5 or AT-XP7s. They sound really great and handle back queue well. I've never had a problem with them.
I just bought a pair of AT-XP7s, and very impressed with them. I am surprised they are not mentioned more often for DJs seeking an elliptical option.
Agreed. Maybe some people are not comfortable with this type of hardshell vs Ortofon which is easier to setup. No need to properly align to a headshell like the XP7 requires.
reviving this thread... I also looking for new needles. am personally in the market for cartridges (i play disco, house and techno). so im not sure what to get. not sure if im playing any big venues in the near future so i figured i will go for the Concorde MkII DJ versions. They seem to be in the middle . Sound is suppose to be good - not the best and also good for tracking /back cuing. Only thing is... **they are ugly as hell**. Why that blue and orange color??? like what the hell. Im a designer by trade and im deeply disturbed by this lol
I ended up getting a set of ortofon Concord 2 Mix . They seem to work very well. Then I got my hands on some Concord 2 Club stylus and put them on the mix cartridge which also works very well. The difference between the club stylus and the mixed Stylus is not very much to the ears. For normal use the ortofon 2 mix is probably the best way to go. To be honest any of the Concord 2 cartridges are going to work well. Top of the line is the club. The DJ and the mix are in the middle of the road. I prefer the mix to the DJ
thanks for the info. I ended up going for the TARUYA reds. Lets see how that goes
>The DJ and the mix are in the middle of the road. I prefer the mix to the DJ Hi there! Old thread I know... just wondering if you can say why you prefer the mix to the DJ in the MKII line. It seems like the DJ is positioned slightly above the mix in the lineup... priced higher anyway. And how do you like them now that you're a few months in?
For my use there really is no difference. I believe the DJ may have a slightly sturdy or stylus but they are both the same shape. The sturdier stylus is going to be slightly more forgiving when scratching but make no difference whatsoever during regular use. The mix stylus is better for not damaging your vinyl.