Dual 721 with a new OM30/Jico stylus

[anilva]

Today I received my Jico replacement stylus for the Ortofon OM30 cartridge that I had for sometime. I was planning to fix this on to the Ultra Light Mass (ULM) tonearm of Dual 721 direct drive turntable. The original stylus came loose from it's rubber mounting and hence the replacement.

Promptly set it up in the Dual sledge and aligned using a Dual 721 protractor. The experience of this turntable, OM30 cartridge and the Jico stylus has been one of the most satisfying first-listen experiences I had in a long time. There is no drawing attention to the equipment, but pure music. Lively, clean lows, mids and highs and very very analogue in nature. Played some Lobo, Jagjit Singh, Umrao Jaan and few others. The music sounds very live and real. No distortion, sibilance or harshness.

I strongly recommend the Jico stylus to anyone looking for a replacement stylus for their MM cartridges. In many cases they are better than the original. The original nude diamond OM30 stylus costs about $200+ and the Jico costed me $66. The stylus also brought back to life my favourite Dual 721 which was in dire need of a high compliance cartridge. Now the Dual/OM30/Jico is a combination that I will not disturb for a while.

Here are two pictures that I shot with my phone.

Cheers.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I just sold a mint condition Dual 721 with stock arm and Shure 447 cart just a couple of days back. iI have a Dual 704 for restoration. The arm lift system of 704 is simpler. At the end of the record, the arm lift. So i thought restoring one gives more satisfaction .

 

[anilva]

Of all the models in this DD range, the Dual 701 is the most acclaimed.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I did not know that. It sounded fantastic even in very rotten condition. I am planning to give it a face lift. What I liked about the TT was that it's arm was super steady and even without much servicing of tone arm, it was working perfectly. Thanks for the info. I am eager to see it fit and fine.