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Rega P25 cartridge upgrade

Hi all, 

I would appreciate your advice and opinions regarding a cartridge upgrade for my Rega P25.

My current system:
- Rega P25 with Grado Prestige Gold.
- Marantz PM6004 
- Neat Iota speakers (http://neatacoustics.com/iota/)

I listen to a broad range of music from electronic to jazz to rock.

The Grado Gold came with the Rega when I bought it used a few years back and unfortunately the stylus appears to have been bent during a recent house move (dont ask...). I thought it would therefore be a good time to upgrade the cartridge. 

I'm using the phono stage on the Marantz amp which is listed as only compatible with MM. Music is important to me and I'm keen for a great sound but dont think I've got time to get lost in exploring MCs and phono stages etc currently so feel like a good quality MM would be sufficient. Looking to spend £200-300 max.

A few potential options I've discovered:

- Ortofon 2M Black
- Goldring 1042.

Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Thom
thomlocke
thomlocke OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

Does anyone have experience with the Goldring?

@ericsch good point re the simplicity of using a Rega cartridge. Presumably the TT currently has a shim with the Grado? How much of a faff is it likely to be setting up a non Rega cartridge? Any recommended  reading on how to do this?  I'm keen to commit time to it if it opens up options of better cartridges than the Rega.

Thanks al
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Nagaoka MP110, by far the best cartridge for the money.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@thomlocke Seriously look at the Stanton/Pickering line, it will be inpossible to find anything better at $300-400 range. Those vintage cartridges are extremely popular. Expert Stylus in UK still servicing them and easily can re-tip them with Paratrace stylus (very close to the original Stereohedron). Since the GBP exchange rate is low their service is not so expensive anymore. My friend @nandric is a big fan of Paratrace diamonds and Expert Stylus sevice even for his crazy expensive and rare LOMC cartridges. 

You can't go wrong with Stanton/Pickering line if you will ignore any models lower than 881 for Stanton and 3000 for Pickering. If you go with a higher number you will get simply amazing MM cartridges! 

To support my point of view (my favorite is Stanton SC-100 WOS) i always add this old TAS article, very interestign read HERE> 
ericsch
753 posts
 
@thomlockeI If you are willing to commit the time a non Rega cartridge is a good option. You are getting a lot of recommendations here, but you may want to start a separate thread requesting feedback from actual Rega owners who have used non Rega cartridges. These shims are the easiest to use because you don't have to take the tonearm off the turntable. You just loosen the tonearm and slide the shims under it. Make sure the shims actually fit your tonearm as I think there is more than one hole pattern. Good Luck in your search.
    https://www.needledoctor.com/Acoustic-Signature-Spacers-for-Rega-Tonearms?_vsrefdom=adwords&gcli...
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