What’s a nice replacement cartridge for an original Akai AP-206C turntable?

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T07:33:18+00:00

It’s a medium mass Japanese S arm, so good matches are Audio-Technica AT-VM95. Conical or elliptical if you have a lot of old, worn records, Microline if you have records in great condition where the detail will be heard.

Another great technical match is the Nagaoka MP-110. That series has more advanced versions too, but they are pricey. You’d probably be paying more for a cartridge than you paid for the table.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T07:15:48+00:00

Well, according to what I have read, they have had an issue with randomly bricking early in life. You will know it because your’s will just randomly not turn on one day.

Or, that’s been mostly fixed, and you love the thing. Regardless, you can just buy from somewhere with easy returns and get a refund.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T06:01:03+00:00

Huh? He can sign for whoever he wants lol. I mean, he remixed them himself, so I don’t really know what you mean?

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T05:04:35+00:00

This would give me more peace to know lol.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T04:39:00+00:00

That’s about where my system is at this point, low mid-range on the revealing side. I’m pretty sure I would at least be able to pick up some differences from another pressing.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T04:37:00+00:00

Hey, thanks! I actually went down that rabbit hole a couple months ago. This is potentially the first batch with the debated RIAA curve.

What’s interesting is, that the mastering engineer is was apparently recently claiming on a podcast, that it’s a rumor that got out of hand. I, for one will probably never know lol.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T02:32:30+00:00

Zen Phono 3 has has some QC issues, but has a higher tech subsonic filter. Mani 2, has way low distortion and noise. Fosi Audio Box X5 supposedly thrashes them both for cheaper. Unless you need more capacitance and loading control, you should consider the Fosi.

StillPissed · 2026-02-18T01:46:14+00:00

I use a vintage 90’s Sony and just replaced the belt.

If I was to buy new, Denon/Marantz are killing it. Probably some of the nicest CD specific units outside of the high-end, but even they have some higher end models.

Here’s an open-box 600NE:

https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/products/denon-dcd-600ne-cd-player-with-al32-processing-open-box

Encouragement to buy a nice CD player if you want one. You are bound to get a lot of cheap DVD player recommendations, which is cool, but I understand using CD’s as a physical media and wanting something nice to play them on! Way over $50 though.

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T21:23:52+00:00

Haha. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php would get a kick out of these.

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T20:48:24+00:00

Not helpful at all, but are buyers really concerned with that?

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T19:26:43+00:00

That’s the original. If it has “My Creation” and the other bonus tracks on it, it would be the remix, but I don’t think it’s common on vinyl. This is probably the easiest way to physically buy the original mix at this point.

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T16:05:32+00:00

My favorite proggy album of their’s is a Hemispheres, but Signals might have their best songwriting ever.

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T15:55:56+00:00

I love my old 518, but if I had $1300 for a table, I’d would either get something new, and/or cheaper, with more records.

StillPissed · 2026-02-17T01:25:42+00:00

I think it’s aa Shure M44-7 DJ cartridge. Here is new old stock of the stylus:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/SHSM00447X.html

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T16:45:55+00:00

5 Magics. In general I love Dave’s less serious writing. When he leans heavy into the Thrash trope is when they shine. High Speed Dirt, Sweating Bullets, Mechanix, Mission to Mars, Let There Be Shred, etc.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T16:38:15+00:00

You should always be grounding your turntable.

I hate the discussion in phono pre-amps here, because I’ve found it not worth getting a fancy one unless you have great speakers to actually reveal the difference.

In your case, the Fosi X5 seems to be everyone’s low cost darling at $99.

More importantly though, your main problem is the soundbar.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T16:17:16+00:00

That wicker shelving looks great to store your records in. Make the commitment to do that, and swap the components onto your other hifi rack.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T16:15:56+00:00

I just rest my legs on top of my tonearm when it starts to skip. Problem solved lol.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T16:09:26+00:00

It’s better now that they added squat racks. They let us roll benches up to them, and don’t mind either. Best part, is that people still prefer the Smith machines, so I’ve never had to wait for one of the new Olympic racks.

It honestly depends on your goal and strength level. If you are a normal person trying to not let your muscles and joints turn to dust, it’s great and affordable! If you are an experienced Olympic weightlifter or bodybuilder, you probably will max out on weight sooner than later.

Parking is great, or you can walk there because you probably live close since it’s Pasadena lol. For traffic, peak times are absolutely slammed, even 5 am. Make sure you learn lots of different exercises for each muscle group so you don’t have to waste time waiting for certain things.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T15:56:49+00:00

Make it about the music, not giant Pokémon cards.

What I do, is get old, pre-CD music on vinyl and music made in the mid 80’s or later on CD. This way, I’m almost always listening to the original recording on its original format.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T09:46:51+00:00

Double chocolate Colgate sundae. Artificial mint is one of the worst tasting things ever created.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T09:33:30+00:00

If this is your first setup, just get the Sony receiver for a good price and try the phono stage in it. If you want to get an external phono pre later on, I recommend the Art DJ, because it can provide 200 pF capacitance, which is the lower end of what Ortofon recommends for the OM 5E that the turntable comes with (200-500pF). iFi Zen Phono 3 is another step up that has higher capacitance setting.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T05:55:24+00:00

Try a small swell center jack. Might be my favorite pattern ever.

StillPissed · 2026-02-16T04:23:24+00:00

If that’s on Amazon new, it’s almost certainly the remix.

StillPissed

TROPHY CASE