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Budget cartridge for SOTA Moonbeam TT.

I have just acquired a SOTA Moonbeam TT which I intend to give to my daughter as hopefully an upgrade to her Teac TT.

My question is this.

What budget cartridge can you recommend?
My first thoughts are Ortofon 2m Red but sure there are other worthy contenders.

It has an old Grado of dubious vintage on it right now and as its history is completely unknown that has to go.

Budget would like to stay below $125 or so and prefer new so no vintage carts this time around please.
128x128uberwaltz
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mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Ortofon is fine
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Chakster.

230 Aus is approx $160 🇺🇸. So not miles out but I have never heard of them?

You never heard about Garrott Brothers ? 
The brothers are no longer with us, but their reputation was very strong, they are legendary for retipping service of Decca and Koetsu. 

Dynamic Coil MM cartridge invented by Garrott Brothers is one of my favorite (vintage model P77 now upgraded with P77i ). 

Nowadays the company follows Garrott Brothers tradition, so you can buy any of the Dynamic Coil models (depends on the price). I think one of the very best is P77i, but within your budget you can check K1. 

Seach audiogon for Garrott Brothers if you want the full story

https://garrottbrothers.com/

 


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uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Finally got home to try out this TT.
The cart and stylus on it did not look too bad so gave it a whirl as is on an older lp.

Certainly did not sound bad.

However now I am trying to work out just what Grado cart it is so if I decided to just buy a new stylus I can get the correct one.

Anybody have any ideas.

Cart body is silver, stylus is all black with just large letter G on front and Grado under that. Rear of cart above pins says GD1.
Stylus has blue dots on side of carrier.

Makes me think older Prestige model with the blue stylus from the 2000,s?
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