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Cartridge suggestions

Hi. Helping a friend find a new cartridge for his Pro-ject TT. He has a 2Experience with 9" EVO carbon arm. Listens to mostly jazz/acoustic music. Phono stage is an EAR834P clone. Speakers are Spendor BC1's. Ideally a neutral and articulate cartridge as if anything too laid back might end up making the whole system a bit too mushy. As the phono stage only has MM capabilities, LO MC cartridge isn't an option. So, HO MC, or MM/MI options please. Looking to keep this under 500 and used isn't really an option. Thanks!
perkri
audite84
110 posts
 
I have the Hana EL, and I agree that it is the new Denon 103 and better. Go for a Hana EH, there should not be a very big difference in performance to the EL. Or get a SUT so you can have the EL.

If your friend changes his mind and would consider a vintage MM... I have the Technics EPC-205C MKIII with the original stylus and a JICO SAS. It is very good, and today you need to spend a lot to get the same performance. It is neutral. The EPC-100C is a step up. 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
Yes, I agree with above, as a SUT will open up an even wider window to what the Hana EL can do! The SUT will allow you to just utilize existing moving magnet phono input/stage.  There will be no major difference in the  EL & HL as they are both very good. I currently use both the pro-ject tube box ds2 as well as the musical surroundings phenomena 11+ with the Hana EL set at a load resistance of 400 ohms @ 60db of gain and it sounds glorious.Taking the SUT route to run the EL will extrapolate possibly even greater amounts information and inner detail from the EL. The Rothwell line of SUT's made in the UK can be found on ebay. Some models use lundahl transformers from Sweden which are known to be of the best quality. The lower tier MC-1 is the lowest priced model at about $350, but does not use the above swedish made transformers. Although this in combo with the EL would put the cost several hundred above budget, it may be a viable and worth while expenditure. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,406 posts
 
Recommended SUT's????
elliottbnewcombjr
5,406 posts
 
I posted this in the wrong thread yesterday

audio technica lowest price Microline Stylus, $170.

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/e798922daa95de6d/index.html

540: current dual magnet version like my old 440ml, $250.

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/e7a3d4bc8b248b64/index.html
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,390 posts
 
When I was using a mm cartridge, I had a Gold Note Vasari Gold Cartridge that was quite excellent sounding.  Gorgeous tone.  Cartridge ran between $200-300.00.  Nothing else in that price range even came close to the beautiful sound from that cartridge.  Not sure if it is readily available in the US as I bought mine right from the Canadian distributor.  
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