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Recommend a cartridge for my new TT

I'm finally getting back into vinyl, and I need some recommendations for the best $500 or less cartridge (new or used) to get for a Clearaudio Performance SE TT I'm buying. The table has the Satisfy Carbon Fiber arm. For now, I'll be running the table thru the phono stage (MM)on my Denon AVR-3300 until I see how things sound that way, but maybe get a separate phono stage later if it would make a noticable improvement. Speakers are Monitor Audio Silvers. I tend to listen to older music, all on CD, like Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, War, del Amitri, Patsy Cline, Robert Palmer...., well you probably get the idea where my tastes are, though some classical is appealing also.

Any suggestions as to what would work well with this setup?
duvallite
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear Duvallite: You can get from Clearaudio cartridge line as the Virtuoso Wood or the Maestro and you can buy second hand for near your budget. Other option is the Ortofon 2MBlack.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
This arm sounds so good with Ortofons I suspect it was develpoed with them in mind.
duvallite OP
34 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. By coincidence, while I was waiting for some suggestions here, I was looking into the Virtuoso Wood, 2M Black, and the Dynavector 10x5. The Maestro may be too much money unless a good deal comes along. I was also was looking at a Nagaoka MP-50, and now I'll also check on the Audio Technica AT150MLX.

If I decide to buy a used cartrodge, what should I look out for before I actually buy, to be sure the cartridge is okay? Also, how many hours on the cartridge would be acceptable?
skriefal
20 posts
 
For moving magnet carridges (AT150MLX, 2M Black, Nagaoka MP-50/500):

The cartridge itself rarely fails. They're usually good for decades of use. What matters is the condition of the stylus. If you get the body cheap enough then you can go ahead and purchase a new stylus for it. If you're purchasing with the intent of using the included stylus then purchase from a trusted seller who can state the approximate number of hours on the stylus, or who can examine the stylus under a microscope to determine its condition. Otherwise it's a crap shoot at best.
timmerswalking's avatar
timmerswalking
11 posts
 
Duvallite, allow me to add my two cents. I, too got back into vinyl after a few years away. I also had a Denon avr unit and i use Monitor Audio silvers ( s1 in my small room, s5i in my larger room). I have tried a number of carts from grado, audio technica, and nagaoka. When i finally upgraded to a seperate phono preamp and a decent Mc cartridge, i finally began to hear more of what a good analog playback system can provide. Today, my main system employs a Denon Dl304 cart into a simaudio moon lp3 preamp. If it were me, I would go for a Denon 301 cart or the audio technica oc9 on sale, and a cambridge audio preamp. both could be had for around $500, and you would have an excellent analog front end.
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