SME 20 SME V cartridge

Soundsreally sells what he is recommending.

When a financial interest is involved, a disclosure is needed.

William Thacker sells the Ortofon Jubilee for just under £1000 which works excellently with your SME and at that price is a bargain. You don't say though what phono stage you use. If you're mm only then forget about the Jubilee.

http://www.zum-shop.de/Ortofon-MC-Jubilee-Tonabnehmer_c32-317-319_p4506_x2.htm

I'm sure a Lyra Kleos can be had for your budget or close to it....I'm sure someone is discounting it a bit in the UK. Sings on an SME 20.

Misnomer, I think your arm will work well with most carts under 15g. This probably means you have a choice of over 100 carts in your price range. I think it would help to narrow that list down if we knew the Phono stage you are using, maybe even the rest of your system. I say this because carts sound different depending on the rest of the system, especially the Phono stage. You probably cant go wrong with any of the carts mentioned above, incl. your own suggestion. I recommend you start there and get one to audition. Maybe also not a bad idea to come up with your own top 3 or 5 carts and ask us to rate them, otherwise this thread will have 20 carts by the weekend and you'll be more confused. just my 2 cents, good to hear that London is sunny this week :-)

Dear Misnomer: That Sumiko is very good advice due that's a " matched dream " with your tonearm. The V was used for the Sumiko voicing.

Lyras performs good in the V too and other good alternative is Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood where you can save money for increment LPs in your collection.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.