Best Rock Cartridge for Rega $600


Okay - I'm back on the cartridge replacement kick. Not sure if MC or MM will be best for the genre of music I listen to - almost exclusively classic rock. I'm intrigued by MC and am leaning that way although, again, not sure if that's the best bet for rock.

I'll be mounting it on a Rega P5/RB-700 combo and playing through the built in phono-stage of my Muscal Fidelity A300 integrated and some Von Schweikert VR-1's.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1 - Dynamic: I listen to classic rock / classic hard rock almost exclusively so this is a must

2 - Good bass and treble extension: I tend to be happiest with cartridges that may be considered a tad bright by some (i.e. Goldring 1042, Rega Exact...)

3 - Great tracker: I especially want something that will trace inner grooves well and therefor minimize inner groove distortion - probably a line contact stylus.

4 - Trying to stay under $600 and if it's MC, must be over .35mv and MM or high output MC over 3.5mv. Probably going to preclude high output MCs.

5 - Won't hum badly on a Rega table - this puts the Grado's out of the running...

I know I'm asking for a lot! This is just such a difficult deal and there's not real way to "test" these, so I'm hoping for some advice.

I've got experience with the Rega Exact and Goldring 1042, although not on my Rega P5. Here are some others I've been thinking about:

Shelter 301/501 - read that they're not the best at inner groove tracking though

Goldring Eroica Lx - Low output MC @ .5mv (leaning heavily towards this cartidge - really liked the 1042 on my old MMF table)

Benz Ace (low) - Low Output MC @ .4mv

Clearaudio Aurum Beta S (wood body) - MM 3.5mv

Goldring 1042 - MM 6.5mv

Thanks for any input and don't limit yourself to the ones listed, these are just some I've read about.

Please let me know which Rega spacers to use with the cartridge you recommend, if you know that, so I have a heads up on which to buy. I can't use the usual Expressimo, etc. VTA adjusters on the RB-700 arm since it uses a 3 point mounting system - I have to use Rega spacers.

THANKS!

Cole
slate1
The low output ACE is at the top of my list right now based on a few responses I've gotten via e-mail.

Are you having any trouble with tracking inner grooves, or distortion during really dynamic passages - like a sustained high note, etc.? That's a big concern of mine and one of the problems I'm currently trying to solve by replacing the Rega Exact in my system.

Also, one last question - did you adjust the VTA? I e-mailed Musical Surroundings (the US distributor for Benz) and they sent me this rather interesting reply:

"You should be fine “as is” on the Rega P5 regarding VTA. To date, none of our dealers have advised us differently. Typically the ACE likes to be a hair under parallel. As far as hum goes... typically no problem on Rega tables. I have no reason to believe by putting the ACE in your set up that you will introduce hum."

I was a bit surprised that they didn't recommend any adjustment.
Rega's own exact is good for rock, but I use a Dynavector 20XH on my P25 and think it is fabulous for rock. Some other alternatives for you.

Michael
A quick FYI...you can utilize the Grado wooden bodied cartridges on the Rega TT's. There is a 1.5mV output version available of most/all of the Reference series. No humming on my P25 at all.
There are of course the Sumiko Blue Point or Sumiko Blue Point Special No.2 which are H.O 2.5mv I think.There is also the Denon 103 at 0.37mv according to the data sheet so that would be an excellent choice for classic rock.The Ortofon X5-MC is also a good choice.
Forgot to mention the Audio-Technica OC9.Here is a link to the Cartridge Database which should be useful.http://www.cartridgedb.com/