Arkiv

Anyone using the Ortofon Arkiv? Designed to "digitize" vinyl, thinking might be an idea sampler cartridge. I see they have the trad cart. and the concord style, is one better than the other? Or just different mounting options. One reviewer made a point that the concord, with its little tip rides records better, esp if warped....anything similar you prefer?

Doc333 wrote:Anyone using the Ortofon Arkiv? Designed to "digitize" vinyl, thinking might be an idea sampler cartridge. I see they have the trad cart. and the concord style, is one better than the other? Or just different mounting options. One reviewer made a point that the concord, with its little tip rides records better, esp if warped....anything similar you prefer?

tried to get it for the same reason at one point and ended up getting something else because it wasnt in stock. The one I got after explaining to the sales dude that I aint a DJ and I make beats so i want it for sampling and getting better sound from my vinyl samples (pretty much same reasons you mention).
This is the saling point that drew me in "The White Label's sonic character delivers solid drop bass, flat mid-range, and accented highs."




http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=285681&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The Shure White Label is a professional turntable cartridge designed for the club and professional mobile DJ. The integrated headshell and stylus delivers high traction, lower tone-arm resonance, and better skip resistance. The White Label's sonic character delivers solid drop bass, flat mid-range, and accented highs.
High output voltage and tracking force designed for optimum results in nightclubs
Diamond stylus designed for preserving hard to replace vinyl records
Stereo channel balanced within 2dB for high accuracy
Compatible with the Shure NWLB replacement needle

Yes I have heard a lot of good things about the white label. It's (unlike the arkiv) can scratch and handle back cueing better

yeah most of all for sampling it sounds great.

Been using it in your rig and happy with it? How is it for scratching, should I still pick up another dedicated scratch needle or would this cut it?

Doc333 wrote:Been using it in your rig and happy with it? How is it for scratching, should I still pick up another dedicated scratch needle or would this cut it?

Well I dont scratch I cant speak to that... I was more concerned with quality of audio when i bought this. I was so hell bent on taking great samples from wax that I copped this because they didnt have what I was looking for (the arkiv)... i even started running my turntable thru a tube pre for warmth and depth with this needle for sonics and clarity of crisp highes and great lows. The shure joint helped me achieve it and I've since turned other cats on to it for the same reason and no one has been disappointed yet. But as for scratching. i have no experience with that .

Here is a good example of samples I've taken with this needle in the same chain as I described above. This was probably sampled the same day i got it. didnt need much eq after that either.

http://phashara.bandcamp.com/track/nobody-move

nice, what are you using for a pre-amp, was debating one (or do you need it, IDK if yr mpc has one or not). Tube?

Leaning back toward the arkiv because:
1. Sounds better
2. Actually (according to an email from a rep) handles back cueing well, just not scratching
3. If i get the concorde, the tips would be easier to swap then swapping headshells or uninstalling/reinstalling carts

I will listen when I get a chance, be an interesting comparison. One thing, I also liked is that b/c the tip is so narrow, a concorde will ride a warped record well (saw it on you tube) and seems likely a wider head would bump a warp or something to get it out of a groove. Also, if u look, and get it without the extra needle, its like $10 less than the WHLB

the whitelabels do sound good.
be warned though they wear out faster than other carts.

probably not a big deal for strict listening / sampling, but any bit of scratching or heavy mixing and you'll replace the needle a few times.

still a great cart i would recommend it. sounds just like a m44-g also (which wear out even faster).

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DL-110-Outp ... roduct_top

Looks interesting, also a MC, everything I have been looking at is MM, I have heard they generally sound better and (I think) have either a shorter or no "break in" period.

Doc333 wrote:nice, what are you using for a pre-amp, was debating one (or do you need it, IDK if yr mpc has one or not). Tube?

Well my MPC has a phono preamp in it but I was using a tube pre to effect the sound a bit before hitting the MPC. totally not needed but i was spazzing over these sort of details at that point.

As for wear and tear, I only use for sampling and listening so i have had it for a couple years now with no need to change.

What I will say tho is that no amount of comparison will change your mind about what you really want. Sounds like the Arkiv is the piece for you. I'd go for it.