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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
timlub
2,040 posts
 
Tough call,  the Shure is fantastic at $80.... @ $105,  I really like the Nagaoka MP110. 
I believe that these will both be livelier than the Grado, It can be a bit dark in some systems,  but these all 3 are terrific cartridges at that $100 range.
With your equipment and no evaluation,  I'd lean toward the Shure. 
I hope this helps, Tim


schubert
7,386 posts
 
timlub, I forgot about the Nagoka MP 110 even though I have one in my closet, i'm coping old age.
The Nagoka is a great all arounder and quality control at Nagoka is MUCH better than Shure or Grado .
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
After a new AT440 sounded way too bright in my system I stuck a Sumiko Pearl on my Akito a couple of years ago and have never looked back. This is a great sounding full range and (seemingly) accurate cartridge that really pulls the mojo out of the groove…and is generally either ignored (although Pro-Ject sticks ’em on some new tables) or lacks respect due to it not being expensive enough at 125 bucks or so. 
timlub
2,040 posts
 
Hi hockey4496.... wolf's post got me thinking, I'm familiar with the cartridges that he spoke of,  for me,  I would normally prefer the AT440 over the Pearl... I started thinking of cartridge loading,  impedance, arm mass etc.... So I looked at your table... the DP31 does have a fairly low mass arm.  As much as I really like the Nagaoka that I mentioned earlier and that Schubert reinforced. The good news is that with your table, all of these will be decent, But I believe the Shure or Ortofon would be the safest bet to match for your arm mass.... The Nagaoka or the Grado won't mind a low mass arm. In a great set up,  I personally like the Nagaoka 1st, Shure 2nd, Grado close 3rd and Ortofon, very close 4th.   I don't think that you'll have a problem any way that you go.
inna
7,296 posts
 
I am a Grado headphones fan but I will agree that Nagaoka should be the best overall choice. Still not easy to guess right, though.
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