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Best cartridge/stylus under $80?

Hi all,

I finally got my TT (Denon DP-31L) installed and put a new AT95 cartridge in it, which has performed pretty good thus far but the more I listen the more I start to wonder: would this music sound better if I had bumped up my budge to $80 instead of the $38 I spent in the AT95.

I know that $80 is still a laughable budget to some for something as important as the cartridge, but I'm still in school (story of my life) and would prefer to not rack up more student loan debt with audio equipment purchases. So whatever cartridge I get now, I want to be a step (or multiple steps) above the AT95, and in 2 years I'll upgrade to something better.

Not sure if my music preferences would be a factor in the cartridge recommendation, but here is is just in case:
classical (piano, cello, violen), classic rock (CCR, Clapton, pink Floyd, Beatles, Dave Mathews early stuff etc.) and anything with good vocals (rich raspy type voices like Adele). One thing I know they all have in common is a richness with the sound, if that makes sense? I hate nothing more music that hearing a song that should have a deep full sounding cello that has no feel/hollow.

Equipment:
Denon DP-31L --->rigged Sony receiver to use Phono inputs and output via "tape out" direct analog---> Cary Audio AES AE-3 tube pre---> McIntosh 2125 amp---> Klipsch RP-5 towers

prospective cartridges: AT100E, Shure M97xE, Ortofon 2M Red (that might be stretching the budget too much though)

thanks in advance!
hockey4496
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
shure M97ed
Pickering XV15(various styluses may drive the total price)
Grado Black mentioned before. The great fact about Grado Black that you can swap styluses between 78rpm and LPs fairly easily. Also may advise to clean stylus and cartridge contacts after 20...30 hours of usage
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
Another vote for Grado Black.  As Czarivey notes, you can replace the stylus yourself and use either a Gold stylus OR an 8mz.  Some seem to claim the 8mz is better than the Gold.  They are both $150 at Needle Doctor.  So there's an easy upgrade path as funds allow.  Grado is reported to have a slightly "darker" sound - I can't speak for all their cartridges.  The Black did some "less sparkly" to my ear BUT given my system could sound a little hot/harsh and given I prefer buying old vinyl vs the so-called "audiophile" re-releases (do have a few of those) - Grado is a nice fit.  I am very happy with the sound.  On my SL1210M5G w/KAB damping trough it tracks just fine.  Good luck with your decision.   

fleib
1,124 posts
 

Hockey, Depends on what kind of sound you like and what would go with your system. Grado is known for nice vocals. The Black has big bass and mellow high end. This entry level Grado obviously lacks the detail/finesse of its more expensive brothers.

If you like the balance of the 95E I have a great inexpensive upgrade for you. Go to the auction site where you can find an AT92E(CD) for less than $25. Remove the stylus and trim back the plastic so it fits on your 95. I used wire cutters. Then replace the stylus and reset VTF to 1.6g.

Allow a few hours playing time for the stylus to settle in. This should be perfect for your Denon, a more appropriate match for your arm. I use this combo with low mass arms on both my 95 and Virtuoso.

Regards,

hockey4496 OP
104 posts
 
Thanks everyone, very helpful!
honeyooi
126 posts
 
Grado or shure ,both excellence.
That's 2 name leading in best bang for bucks cart👍
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