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Warmish, good tracker & low noise for used vinyl?

Hello folks - Of the carts listed, can anyone say from experience which would be warmest with good tracking and low surface noise playing used vinyl? On the radar: Denon DL-103, DL-110, Ortofon S30, Nagaoka M-150. Like what i've read about Grado but put off by reports of hum and that it's not a great tracker. Not too interested in highly detailed or anything with potential for being "bright" so avoiding the AT150MLX. Would like to keep cost below $400. System listed but it's for a KAB SL1210M5G (w/fluid damper) + Heed Quasar phono-pre (can do LOMC). Running a Stanton cart w/Pickering elliptical. Like the warmth quite a bit but could do with a bit wider and deeper stage. So looking for a replacement option given no more of the Pickering styli left. Listen to EVERYTHING (...well, almost...don't play rap or death metal). Thanks for your input.
ghosthouse
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
4,321 posts
 
Yogi - I've been doing a lot of reading at quite a number of sites so would have to search some to find exactly what I came across. Here's one example I just found in attempting to reply to you (not something I'd read previously; it does seem a bit more extreme, possibly).

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=18990

I wasn't trying to offend Grado owners. Glad you are enjoying yours. I tend to play older, used vinyl and not too many mint, "audiophile" 180g etc. releases. Need something that can sail through slight warping while minimizing surface noise and IGD.

schubert
7,386 posts
 
I have used EVERY one of these carts and the Nag MP-150 is the best and not by a little bit.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
The best I have heard solely on used vinyl suppression is the Sumiko Oyster, which though "cheap" is tuneful.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,837 posts
 
Ghosthouse- Thanks for that info. I just never had any type of that problem with the many I have owned over the past thirty plus years. Good luck in your search!
sonofjim
557 posts
 
Clean your used vinyl well and be very picky when buying it in the first place. Look closely, under different lighting conditions. Then use whatever cartridge you chose. Still, always a bit of a crap shoot whether used or new. It ain't the cartridge. It's the vinyl. You buy bad vinyl, it's your own fault. It happens to us all but it's your fault, not the cartridge's. Some of my used vinyl is among the best I own. Then again, I've bought a lot of bad stuff too. Play bad vinyl on a $150 MM or a $10,000 MC. It's still bad vinyl. I've done both. My advise is not to go too pricey on the cartridge. Look for good vinyl. It sounds good on either. Save the other $9500 for retirement so you can play more vinyl. You deserve it.
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