Loaded up the KAB/Ortofon ProS30 on the SL1210MK5 last night...

[slate1]

My initial impressions after a few hours comparing it to the KAB/Stanton Groovemaster II AE:

- Ortofon has less bass "weight" than the Stanton.

- Bass is much more "punchy" with the Ortofon.

- The Ortofon seems less congested in the mid-bass; doesn't have that mid-bass "bloom" the Stanton does.

- The Ortofon has clearly more extension in the highs and the highs are more detailed - more MC like.

- The Stanton has incredible midrange; the Ortofon's midrange is quite transparent.

- Soundstaging is better with the Stanton, but not by much.

- The Stanton is the better tracker on test records, but I never heard any mis-tracking with the Ortofon on music.

- Surface noise seems to be less noticable on the Stanton

Both carts are excellent trackers and, quite honestly, both sound great - just different. The Stanton has more weight and slam to it and the Ortofon is more delicate sounding - more detailed.

I'll post more details once the Ortofon is fully broken in - but my intial thoughts are that I'm probably going to enjoy the Stanton a bit more simply because of its midrange magic. It's just a chunkier sounding cartridge that just kills on rock records.

[royphil345]

Thanks for that update!!! Looks like I'm going to have to give the KAB / Stanton a try. Sounds like exactly what I've been looking for. Hope your new system gives you many years of enjoyment.

[ericl]

I guess you made your decision eh Slate?

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....art&1136649007

that was fast!

[slate1]

Yep - spent a LOT of time this last weekend playing with both carts. The Ortofon is a great cartridge but I just like the more laid-back top-end and chunkier sound of the Stanton.

If anybody sees this and is interested in the cartridge - mention you saw it on AudioReview Forums and I'll knock another 10% off and ship it for free. It's not a "bright" cartridge by any means - and would work wonders in the right system I'm sure. If you're looking for that MC magic in the highs and details but MM output levels it's perfect.