Advice on best match MC Cartidges for these tonearms


Hi all,

I am re starting my vinyl life, cleaning all 700 odd albums and singles... big job!

I am asking for advice from all those with experience in matching cartridges and tonearms. I have an Ayre K3x pre-amp/phono setup.

I have the following tonearms on appropriate turntables and tonearms have matching original head shells.

Micro Seiki MA-505LS

Micro Seiki MA-505XS

Micro Seiki MAX-327

Kuzma Stogi Ref (currently with a CAR-30 boron)

I listen to a wide range of music, mostly rock, blues, electronic, alternative, classical, pop, 60's 70's 80's era, but limited jazz. I was considering the Ortofon Quintet Bronze, the looked at the Cadenza Bronze for its apparent technical superiority over the lower product lines. I like a warm mellow sound, but with high definition of the instruments. I have not heard the latest lines of cartridges available, but I do know of the much older Ortofon cartridges. I would want at least 2 cartridges that I could swap out with the arms. Any opinions would be really helpful. Cheers A.


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It would appear that I am best to research on my own. I was hoping someone out there would have advice on a good match.

Thanks. A.

I have an MA-505LS, but I've mostly used it with MM cartridges to listen to classical. It should match well with a broad range of MC cartridges, though not necessarily with the heaviest & lowest compliance. I tried an SPU, but couldn't balance it without an extra weight. I'd expect the MA-505XS to be similar.