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new cartridge for Music Hall MMF 5

well, my daughter started walking about a month ago, which signaled that it was time to get the turntable up on a higher piece of furniture. sadly, I didn't get on that fast enough, and i've now a cartridge with no stylus.

so, i'm looking to get a new cartridge and wanted some suggestions. my setup is:
Music Hall MMF 5
Forte F40 with onboard phono card
Monarch SM-70
Totem Arro

I currently have a Benz Micro MC20E2 (without stylus!). I liked this cart.

I know the current entry level offerings from Benz are a bit higher. So even with retip/excange discount option on the Benz, I think might be wanting to spend a little less. I'd be comfortable spending around $200 or less. I'm open to a used cartridge, as I've had good luck with that in the past. I've mostly had higher output MC or MM cartridges in the past, though I'm open to lower output MC I think my Forte can handle lower output levels. I don't recall the full scope of the range it can do.

Some other options I could go down I also have an older model Grado , i think its a G+ or G1+ that's in need of a new stylus, which I think is the Gold Stylus. I've never been sure if its worth it to pop a new stylus on this so have always let it sit around. I also have a Clearaudio Aurum Beta wood body cartridge (whatever their entry model used to be) which also has a busted stylus. I could possibly use that for a retip/exchange discount maybe? Thoug with both the Clearaudio and my Benz, i think they don't make those models anymore so not even sure a retip discount is possible.

thanks for any tips and ideas!
128x128pablodeocampo
pablodeocampo's avatar
pablodeocampo OP
21 posts
 
well, based on comments and other things I have read, I think I am narrowing my choices down to the Ortofon 2m Blue or the Denon DL-110. On the one hand, the Ortofon has a replaceable stylus, which is appealing, but the Denon is a little cheaper. I know I can get the Ortofon locally (Toronto, Canada) but not sure about the Denon so will look around.

thanks all for your thoughts here!
wolf_garcia
6,726 posts
 
Sumiko Pearl. Sounds too good for its price, so I recommend paying double for one so it makes more sense.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
You could get the 2m red to see if you like the overall presentation in your system. You can upgrade to 2m blue replacement stylus with it's more advanced stylus/cantilever, as the bodies are the same.
pablodeocampo's avatar
pablodeocampo OP
21 posts
 
ok. one LAST question on this thread. nude vs. bonded stylus? Wolf_garcia brought up the Pearl, which sounds like it might be a good fit for me too (and someone is selling one here right now with a spare stylus!). is one of these going to track better with a variety of vinyl qualities? well pressed, good condition older records as well as things which were not pressed as well?
wolf_garcia
6,726 posts
 
The Pearl is cool...I would never have known it was that good until I was complaining about my "too damn bright" cartridge in a local audio salon and a guy I kmow who works there (has extensive 'table knowledge) said it's a sleeper...he was right (for my rig anyway). Best 125 bucks I've spent on audio yet.
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