blakey72 Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 Hi. I'm thinking about wacking a P77i on my P3 and want some opinions on how they sound. I'm after a warm, analog sounding cart to match my Harbeth SHL5P speakers, Plinius 9200 amp (eventually Weston Artisan 150) and Leben RS30-eq phono-pre.
dwbasement Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 I have a p77 original not the i, it is a nice sounding cart. I used to have the leben phono bow sold. I can say that the leben won't be a great match but still ok. I found it became too warm with the leben. I have great result with a SS phono and p77.
cafe latte Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 They are amazing, retipped a few that body is basically a Pearl, similar too Vessel, etc basically the same body made by Excel corp. Low inductance body, one of the best MM designs IMO. Chris 1
Mono Stereo Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 Hi - I have one, they are very warm and detailed. Derek
Andrews_melb Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 Yeah ive got the P77i on my RP3. Love it, had it on for a few years now. Changed from a 2m black. I kept the black for a few months while figuring out which one i like then sold it, im happy with the sound from the Garrott brothers cart. reflex m phono, elex-r amp and triangle titus speakers
Nick1000 Posted July 19, 2021 Posted July 19, 2021 I used to run the P77i on my Rega P3; also with Harbeth SHL5+ - it ticks the box on a warm analogue sound. I recently replaced with a Hana ML, which I have found to provide a bit more detail and top / bottom end extension when compared to the p77i (the p77i is still a fantastic cart to my ears)
rantan Posted July 19, 2021 Posted July 19, 2021 I had one of these a couple of years back. A very nice cart that won't ever offend anybody and very easy on the ears. However, eventually I just wanted something with a bit more depth, detail and life. With that said, I would still happily recommend it if it was to go into a system that was very detailed but a bit harsh or shrill sounding.
Phill451 Posted July 19, 2021 Posted July 19, 2021 They are great in the past I’ve used one on my rega p25 for years. I had it retipped once by Garrott bros and luckily they upgraded it to an FSG for standard price as there was a delay in repair. It is sitting in the drawer waiting for a second retip one day.
08Boss302 Posted July 19, 2021 Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) I've got the P77i and the FGS Optim They are not too far apart IMO but when living with both you can hear why the FGS asks for more $$, in any case, both are excellent carts and the P77i is a steal at its RRP. Warm, great bass extension and sweet highs. Not an analytical sound or the final word in high end sparkle and detail but fantastic detail nonetheless and great soundstaging. You'll likely never get any fatigue!!! Not sure what your preference in music is but I've played a wide range of music styles and been very very happy. Its got a decent dynamic compliance so should match up well on your rb303 Edited July 19, 2021 by 08Boss302
EddieT Posted November 2, 2021 Posted November 2, 2021 Hi Blakey did you get it? Are you happy? I’m trying to decide whether to do the same or go for the cheaper model that still has a fine line stylus.
Beestonite Posted March 5 Posted March 5 Hi to all, I am new here and seeking some advice, my system is as follows turntable is a heavily modified rega planer 3, in the fact that all the running gear was removed and put into an srm tech azure. Groovetracer reference subplatter, + Groovetracer drop counterweight. J7 fully rewired rb303. Densen dm20 preamplifier, quad mono blocks driving quad ESL 57's. The cartridge that I am running at the moment is the ortofon 2m black. But I want to try something different. The Nagaoka mp-500 was at the top of my list, then I came across the Garrot P-77i, which I know several members on here have tried. So I would greatly appreciate members input and possible experience with either or both of these cartridges.
Mono Stereo Posted March 7 Posted March 7 Hi John Nice to see a heavily modded Rega and rewired tone-arm combination. Cartridges are a very personal preference thing (like a tie, remember those?). I have great success pairing a Nagaoka MP150 (nude elliptical) with a rewired RB202 Rega, so I definitely know that combination can work. So an MP150, 200 or 300 should be good match - those mid priced Nagaokas seem to hit the sweet spot. The p77i I have since sold, because in the tonearm combination (a different turntable, a lighter carbon fibre Project tonearm), it just sounds a bit too polite and lacked life and dynamics, despite adjusting VTA etc. Do not read that as a criticism, more like a mismatch of compliance with the (lighter) carbon fibre tonearm, as I suspect the Garrott may have a medium stiff suspension. On this tonearm (Project) I have used a budget basic Audio Technica elliptical (bonded) and it just sounds superb - alive and dynamic. Trust this helps a little. Others should chime in as well. 1
Beestonite Posted March 7 Posted March 7 4 hours ago, Mono Stereo said: Hi John Nice to see a heavily modded Rega and rewired tone-arm combination. Cartridges are a very personal preference thing (like a tie, remember those?). I have great success pairing a Nagaoka MP150 (nude elliptical) with a rewired RB202 Rega, so I definitely know that combination can work. So an MP150, 200 or 300 should be good match - those mid priced Nagaokas seem to hit the sweet spot. The p77i I have since sold, because in the tonearm combination (a different turntable, a lighter carbon fibre Project tonearm), it just sounds a bit too polite and lacked life and dynamics, despite adjusting VTA etc. Do not read that as a criticism, more like a mismatch of compliance with the (lighter) carbon fibre tonearm, as I suspect the Garrott may have a medium stiff suspension. On this tonearm (Project) I have used a budget basic Audio Technica elliptical (bonded) and it just sounds superb - alive and dynamic. Trust this helps a little. Others should chime in as well. Hi there mono stereo, thank you very much for your input, the nagaoka is a serious contender, I was looking at the mp-500, but there can be good deals with the mp-300 full cartridge, and. 500 stylus separate. Which to be honest seems promising. 1
08Boss302 Posted March 7 Posted March 7 I still use mine P77i in rotation with a few others on a Technics SL1200mkii and it pairs nicely IMO. I have the Nagaoka MP110 and the Denon DL110 which I also use on it. One cart I am very pleased with which you may also choose to consider is the Goldring 1042. I am not sure about how it will match with Rega arms etc, others here may be able to assist or you can check the compliance calc on Vinyl Engine and/or if it will need shims. A quick google of the 1042 running on Rega RB303 arm returned some results that might be some reading worthwhile? Plenty of written reviews out there and on YouTube for the cart also. It is a revealing cart, but has great bass extension and staging IMO. Still well worth a read up if you are looking around at options IMO.
Beestonite Posted March 7 Posted March 7 24 minutes ago, 08Boss302 said: I still use mine P77i in rotation with a few others on a Technics SL1200mkii and it pairs nicely IMO. I have the Nagaoka MP110 and the Denon DL110 which I also use on it. One cart I am very pleased with which you may also choose to consider is the Goldring 1042. I am not sure about how it will match with Rega arms etc, others here may be able to assist or you can check the compliance calc on Vinyl Engine and/or if it will need shims. A quick google of the 1042 running on Rega RB303 arm returned some results that might be some reading worthwhile? Plenty of written reviews out there and on YouTube for the cart also. It is a revealing cart, but has great bass extension and staging IMO. Still well worth a read up if you are looking around at options IMO. Thank you very much for your reply, I had considered the 1042, and yes they do partner well with rega. They just don't seem to get the reviews of the newer cartridges or maybe it's because they have been around for quite a while now. But you are probably right about them been worthy of a second look. Cheers 1
08Boss302 Posted March 7 Posted March 7 I think you hit the nail on the head, they have been around a long while, are well regarded and reviewed but it is not the latest kid on the block, but there are plenty of reviews out there. It is the type of cart that I didn't have front of mind but once I had it was like "wow, this thing is an excellent "secret" haha. 1
Beestonite Posted March 8 Posted March 8 7 hours ago, 08Boss302 said: I think you hit the nail on the head, they have been around a long while, are well regarded and reviewed but it is not the latest kid on the block, but there are plenty of reviews out there. It is the type of cart that I didn't have front of mind but once I had it was like "wow, this thing is an excellent "secret" haha. One of the things I have read about with the 1042 is that it is not the best at tracking, and in all fairness to the 2m black I have on now, it never miss tracks.
08Boss302 Posted March 8 Posted March 8 Ive never owned the 2m black but I can say my experience with the G1042 has not yielded poor tracking. I reckon it's a great cart personally. But that said, it's a revealing cart, and from reading etc, maybe too much a family member to the 2m black, the p77 might be more a distant relative haha 1
cafe latte Posted March 8 Posted March 8 3 hours ago, Beestonite said: One of the things I have read about with the 1042 is that it is not the best at tracking, and in all fairness to the 2m black I have on now, it never miss tracks. I really doubt a cart with a Gyger S will have problems tracking as tracking ability is mostly at the door of minor radius and the Gyger s has a small minor radius hence good tracking as long as tracking force is correct and the stylus is clean. Chris 1
Beestonite Posted March 8 Posted March 8 2 hours ago, cafe latte said: I really doubt a cart with a Gyger S will have problems tracking as tracking ability is mostly at the door of minor radius and the Gyger s has a small minor radius hence good tracking as long as tracking force is correct and the stylus is clean. Chris Cheers Chris, I did get in touch with Garrott brothers and told them what I already had with regards to the 2m black. Their reply was that the optim 2s FGS was the competitor to the 2m black. Same stylus profile as the 1042. However the the optim is not a replaceable stylus, it has to be sent back to Australia for a 500 hour inspection. Then ultimately sent back again for a ritip. All of which make the 1042 look appealing. I would say the biggest difference between the 2 would be the dynamic coil of the optim s2. Reviews are excellent. But I have to think long term, getting closer to retirement. John 1
cafe latte Posted March 8 Posted March 8 10 hours ago, Beestonite said: Cheers Chris, I did get in touch with Garrott brothers and told them what I already had with regards to the 2m black. Their reply was that the optim 2s FGS was the competitor to the 2m black. Same stylus profile as the 1042. However the the optim is not a replaceable stylus, it has to be sent back to Australia for a 500 hour inspection. Then ultimately sent back again for a ritip. All of which make the 1042 look appealing. I would say the biggest difference between the 2 would be the dynamic coil of the optim s2. Reviews are excellent. But I have to think long term, getting closer to retirement. John As i said before the Garrott Brothers are just Excel corporation engines, thry are not made by Garrott Brothers. The LP Gear Vessel is the low output version of the same engine and a lot cheaper even the ones with the exotic profiles. Cheers Chris 2
Beestonite Posted March 9 Posted March 9 8 hours ago, cafe latte said: As i said before the Garrott Brothers are just Excel corporation engines, thry are not made by Garrott Brothers. The LP Gear Vessel is the low output version of the same engine and a lot cheaper even the ones with the exotic profiles. Cheers Chris Thanks for the information Chris. I can't honestly say that I have heard of that one. But it's certainly worth knowing.
Beestonite Posted March 10 Posted March 10 On 09/03/2025 at 6:01 AM, Beestonite said: Thanks for the information Chris. I can't honestly say that I have heard of that one. But it's certainly worth knowing. Well after a lot consideration I have just ordered a goldring 1042, the price wasn't too bad . I spoke to the company who were fair. They have a 30 day return policy. So if it doesn't work out for m I can send it back. Supposedly a bit warmer, a bit smoother and a bit more musical. 1
Beestonite Posted March 11 Posted March 11 10 hours ago, 08Boss302 said: I think you will be happy. Thank you, I am hoping so..
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