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Budget MC Suggestions?

I've been back into vinyl for over a year now, enjoying it all immensely. I have a Thorens TD-320 with Shure V15VxMR playing through a Gram Amp 2 SE phono stage and I do love the sound. But I've been reading so much about the superior sonic quality of low output MC that I've gotten very curious. To the best of my knowledge, in 35 years of listening to records I've never heard an MC cart. So, I'm wondering two things. First, is it possible on a shoestring budget (say $300 for cartridge and phono stage or transformer, used is fine) to find an MC set-up that will sound better than my present MM set-up? If so, what preamp and cart do you recommend? If it's not possible on that budget, how much does one have to invest in MC to outperform the V15-Gram Amp 2SE set-up? Second, what exactly are the sonic improvements I should expect to hear? Thanks, Rich
winegasman

Showing 1 response by dan_ed

dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I have used the V15VxMR in the past but not on the RB 250 that I have now. It was on a Music Hall with the Pro-ject arm. It really is a very good cartridge. I currently have the 103R that Jphii recommended. It is not broken in yet, neither is the RB 250, but I believe that I can already here a difference with the low compliant Denon. There seems to be more magic and detail, especially in the background.

I have a new V15VxMR in transit, $217 from Beach Audio, so I will be able to give a good side-by-side using the RB250 in a week or two. I'm not familiar with your arm or phono stage so I can't help there. You may want to do some more investigating about your arm before moving to a low compliant MC.

Jphii is right about the change to MCs. I am currently feeding my new addiction to them.
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