My jazz collection told me to get a *real* system

I've owned an M97xE and Ortofon OM10. I gave those to my stepson.
I own an Audio Technica AT-MONO3/LP HOMC cartridge for playing my mono LPs.

I still own a Denon DL160, a Shelter 201, and an Audio Technica AT150MLX which--through a stylus swap--is now an AT150Sa, which has an aluminum pipe cantilever and nude Shibata stylus instead of the MLX's boron cantilever and MicroLine stylus. 

I really liked the MLX, but I like the AT150Sa that much better. It has a better tracking top end and the tonal balance and timbre are more natural and less "hi-fi." It totally leaves the Shure M97xE, Denon DL160, and Shelter 201 in the dust--more neutral, better tracking, smoother presentation yet more detailed, quicker, and especially more involving and musically satisfying.

Audio Technica AT150SA has been discontinued but LpGear still has the AT150SA on closeout for $271.98. The AT150MLX used to be a $549 cartridge, so this is an exceptional value.

Furthermore, if you want newer and better, Audio Technica upgraded the AT150 cartridge design to the new VM series. The cartridge itself has been reworked with a new, more efficient coil design and a center shield plate to increase L-R separation. One model is the VM760SLC with special line contact stylus for $649. The other is the VM750SA with Shibata for $349.

At any rate, at $271.98, the AT150SA is stupid good for the money, and the Shibata stylus lasts longer than most.

Thanks for the tip, johnnyb53!

I would try Nagaoka cartridge if it is compatible with your tonearm, get it at lpgear.com, prices are $110-$750, I think.

I would try Nagaoka cartridge if it is compatible with your tonearm, get it at lpgear.com, prices are $110-$750, I think.

Speaking of compatibility, the first cartridge on my turntable was a Shure M97xE. I never had to make any adjustments in effective mass when I switched to the AT150MLX or AT150Sa. Their cartridge weights and dynamic compliance ratings were in the same range as the Shure M97xE.

Jazz is my fave also, especially piano trios (my beatnik phase kicked in about a decade ago…it's never too late). Any great system should support whatever style of music you put through it, and mine now has an SEP tube amp of 12 watts per side, and 250 watts of bass potential from two REL subs. This seems to work somehow…who knew? Old Monk LPs, orchestral stuff, or modern Vijay Iyer (this dude can paste you to the wall…in a good way)…the rig should embrace either one and if it can't there's something wrong with it. I think great tube amps can hit a level of musicality and clarity at a lower price point than comparable SS amps might…I used a Jolida 502p for years and thought it sounded fabulous at around 1200 bucks, and the SEP I now use from amp guru Dennis Had lists for maybe 1500 and sounds like I'll own it forever, and it only has 4 tubes to worry about. I've actually compared it (in my home rig) to a recent vintage Pass "First Watt" amp and thought it sounded better at much less money, although if I was going to use an SS amp again a Pass would be on my short list. Tubes.