I would get an Audio Technica VM540 MM cartridge. It sounds fantastic and comes in around $280.00. You will not be disappointed and I think sounds better than the Blue Point Soecial. I owned one mounted on a Rega Planer3 turntable. I found it thin and bright. You could look into the Grado cartridges. They have a moving iron cartridge for around $300.00.
Cartridge - sweet spot on the cost/sound curve?
I think my Sumiko Blue point 2 is going. Right channel is lower sound level than right using my turntable, totally even using digital. Table is Project RPM 5 carbon that I bought as a store demo with the blue point 2 so no telling how many hrs on it.
The rest of the system is a PS audio GCPH phono pre, deHaviland Ultraverve 3, McCormack DNA 1, Martin Logan SL3s with new panels.
I loved the warmth and focus of the blue point but am a bit back by how much they cost $500. Don’t laugh I know carts can cost thousands but I got a kid in college!
Any recommendations for something at or under that price point that is better?
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The Needleclinic NC-103 is less than $600 and it blows aways cartridges costing multiples of its price. https://trackingangle.com/equipment/needle-clinics-denon-103-phono-cartridge |
I swap between a NOS Shibata stylus equipped Audio Technica AT 12sa and a Goldring E3. Both are MM's and the cost of both together is less than $500. I use the AT cartridge for older recordings as it will reveal more detail. The Goldring is used on newer, more balanced recordings as it has a very smooth midrange.I may go for the newer E4 stylus for the Goldring, when this one wears out. |
- 31 posts total