Cartridge suggestions for Rega P9

John, it's tough to setup different than rega cartridge on the rega tt and rega arm but after the neccessary effort put you get much better result. In your case Dynavector 20XL or 20XH is the best mate to your TT/phono. PH3 is the best with medium output cartridges from .5mV to 1.5mV.

I was also thinking buying Rega p9 after Rega p3/Elys but i've decided to go with bottom of the line Michell(Gyro SE) instead of top of the line Rega. It's up to you which one is to choose. Rega doesn't have such deep as Michell bass and I'm happen to be the bass freak.

I was never impressed from any of the Rega cartridges and consider the top of the line Exact to be a waste. So Smiglass you chould keep VanDenHul MC10 which I know is a great cartridge that can do more with different phono.

I've heard my same model p25 table with the Exact and my ph-3 (I was loaning it to a friend). I could hear that it had a little more clarity and energy. Hard to say if I'd pay the 200 price difference.

My system is a little lightweight sounding with the rega, so more bass would be appreciated. I sure liked that nottingham spacedeck I heard. I believe it had a 20XL cartridge on it. Have you ever heard one of those Teres turntables ? I'm half way considering building one of those.

i have the new p9 and rb-1000 as well. i put a Dynavector xx-2 on it. it is a great combo, but not cheap. check out the tnt review of the xx-2.

In agreement with Marakanetz, Rega carts always left me a little cold. One cart that works great on Rega arms AND Naim pre-amps is the Goldring Excel (retail $1200) if you can find one (discontinued?). Especially for Jazz, Classical, Folk, intimate World Music recordings, etc...

Never heard VDHull. How is that cart on other arms?

The other cart you might try (get ready to laugh your ass off but I'm serious) is the Audio Technica 120e for only $53 thru Garage-a-Records online. Most AT's sound bad on Rega arms but this one rocks! Esp. good w/ rock and high energy jazz (Miles Davis etc...). Also conveys enough dtail & realism to do the other genres as well. Might seem out-of-context at this price point but by the same token you have nothing to lose!

The Denon DL103 will work in the Rega arm and sounds superb. Only around $200. Sounds alot like a Koetsu black. I use one and really like it. Also recommend Shelter 501 or 901, superb carts. The 901 is a contender for one of the best, and costs about $1300.