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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.
128x128ghosthouse
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
5,725 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.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
4,316 posts
 
Thanks ALL...
Schubert, appreciate your comments. Most recently leaning towards a Nag; maybe raise the ante a bit and go for the 200.
Sonofjim...little risk of me spending $10K on a cart (that's actually kind of humorous if you knew me). While I try to be "selective' and do clean (AI solutions, steam and vacuum) it's the hidden groove wear that's killer as you know. Was thinking some stylus geometries might be better at contacting a less damaged part of the groove...but it's a gamble as you point out. OK. Further comments absolutely appreciated. Thanks again to all.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Ghost, stick with the MP-150 and change stylus every year or so.
Truth be told, I'd start with MP-110 which will take a MP-150 stylus .
More money just buys a more revealing cantilever and stylus. just what you don't need. I use a MP-300 which sounds little better than a MP-150 on the best vinyl.
FYI, the geo that contracts less is conical, I still recommend you try the cheap Sumiko Oyster first, you might be surprised.
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