Blue Point Special EVO III

[thepogue]

I'm looking at picking up a BPS for about half of retail...right now I'm running a Grado Gold...is this a step up or a step over? I have an intrest because of price more than anything else. Any adivce???

Peace-out, Pogue

[JohnMichael]

I'm looking at picking up a BPS for about half of retail...right now I'm running a Grado Gold...is this a step up or a step over? I have an intrest because of price more than anything else. Any adivce???

Peace-out, Pogue

I do not know if this will be any help. I own a Grado Red and a Blue Point 2 that I use in my Rega 2. Comparing those two cartridges IMO the Blue Point is a much better cartridge for things like image depth, delicacy of sound and tracking. The Grado is more dynamic and the bass might be a little fuller. I have never felt that the Grado alowed me to hear everything in the grooves the way the Blue Point or the Ortofon OM 20 does. I would go with the Blue Point Special it was a very popular cartridge and well reviewed.

By the way no luck finding the Clever Clamp. I gave my nephew my Thorens table and it was probably in that box.

[thepogue]

I'll go pick it up...

Thanks for the heads up on the carts. Do you think 175 is a good price? I dont know what thye go for on the used market. Pogue

[JohnMichael]

I'll go pick it up...

Thanks for the heads up on the carts. Do you think 175 is a good price? I dont know what thye go for on the used market. Pogue

Depends on hours of use. Are you buying it from a local dealer? Will you be able to see the stylus under a microscope to judge wear? If it has few hours of use and the stylus is in good shape I would say it is a bargain. Also ask for a short trial period to make sure there are no problems with the cartridge's suspension. A friend bought a very expensive moving coil cart that looked good under the scope but the wire that kept the cantilever in place snapped and the cartridge dropped low.

[GMichael]

Depends on hours of use. Are you buying it from a local dealer? Will you be able to see the stylus under a microscope to judge wear? If it has few hours of use and the stylus is in good shape I would say it is a bargain. Also ask for a short trial period to make sure there are no problems with the cartridge's suspension. A friend bought a very expensive moving coil cart that looked good under the scope but the wire that kept the cantilever in place snapped and the cartridge dropped low.

Microscope to judge wear? Do people really do this?

[thepogue]

I pikced up a NGritty from this guy (it was better than listed and packed to perfection) so I have some trust in him. He says it has less than 30 hrs..and is minty. I'm not too sure I fully have a handle on the whole MC/MM differences...I know somewhat I've read but have no "real life" experience.

Pogue


GM....I'm quite sure they do...lol...but I haven't (but I'm a dope...lol)

Pogue

[JohnMichael]

Microscope to judge wear? Do people really do this?

Yes back in the old days young man.

[JohnMichael]

I pikced up a NGritty from this guy (it was better than listed and packed to perfection) so I have some trust in him. He says it has less than 30 hrs..and is minty. I'm not too sure I fully have a handle on the whole MC/MM differences...I know somewhat I've read but have no "real life" experience.

Pogue


GM....I'm quite sure they do...lol...but I haven't (but I'm a dope...lol)

Pogue

There are three types of magnetic cartridges. Moving coils like the BPS have a tiny coil at the end of the cantilever which is in a magnetic field. When the coil moves in the magnetic field it generates a small voltage. Cutter heads are designed with the coil on the cantilever and the voltage is sent through the coil to drive the cantilever. Since it is the exact opposite in theory of how the groove was made people feel MC's should be closer to the original signal. Grado belongs to one of the two fixed coil varieties. The Grado like the Ortofon OM20 are induced magnet designs. The cantilever is in close proximity to a fixed magnet. The cantilever moves between the fixed coils and with the magnetization from the fixed magnet allows a signal to be generated. Usually at a higher voltage than the moving coil. Audio Technica and Shure belong to the moving magnet camp. They have small magnets on the cantilever and the magnet moves between the coil generating the voltage. Also higher output than most moving coils. There are good and bad examples of all three types of cartridges.

The BPS sounds like a good deal with only 30 hours use and the fact that you have trust in the seller.

[thepogue]

I was at the "shop" yesterday and a trusted friend of mine who works there gave me the overall rundown...but you've shined even more light on the whole issue. I'd didn't realize what compnies made which type (and I'm sure there is cross-over's on ech) but thats great info...I'm truely a "music first" kinda guy but as time goes by I do need to have a better understanding of the "nuts and bolts" in the audio world. I'm no quite ready for building my first croos-ver (as my friend is doing now) but who knows...maybe someday! After speaking to Alan (the audio shop guy) I'm thinking I really need to focus on upgrading my per-amp...I'm lusting after a duel mono Musical Fidelity that my buddy owns so we'll see....I'd also like to get some tubes in somewhere so maybe a CJ or sommfinn.

thanks again for taking the time to learn me

Peace, Pogue

There are three types of magnetic cartridges. Moving coils like the BPS have a tiny coil at the end of the cantilever which is in a magnetic field. When the coil moves in the magnetic field it generates a small voltage. Cutter heads are designed with the coil on the cantilever and the voltage is sent through the coil to drive the cantilever. Since it is the exact opposite in theory of how the groove was made people feel MC's should be closer to the original signal. Grado belongs to one of the two fixed coil varieties. The Grado like the Ortofon OM20 are induced magnet designs. The cantilever is in close proximity to a fixed magnet. The cantilever moves between the fixed coils and with the magnetization from the fixed magnet allows a signal to be generated. Usually at a higher voltage than the moving coil. Audio Technica and Shure belong to the moving magnet camp. They have small magnets on the cantilever and the magnet moves between the coil generating the voltage. Also higher output than most moving coils. There are good and bad examples of all three types of cartridges.

The BPS sounds like a good deal with only 30 hours use and the fact that you have trust in the seller.