Cartridge upgrade

You may want to go to Soundsmith official website and read. I went with moving iron, started with Zephyr then moved up to Zephyr MIMC Star, had Zephyr retipped, and will get the Star retipped. They sound and track great. Super bang for the buck value. Using a Manley Chinook with vintage tubes.

@jimbones,

In general buying a new cartridge is to play it safe, but the pricing of top level MC's has recently gone completely out of control. And top prices do not necessarily amount to top sonics. 

Thankfully there are still some exceptions: $1500 will buy you a brand new Phasemation PP-300. If you're patient you might even find the earlier Phasemation or Phase Tech (previous brand name) P-3G (previous model name, but sonically identical) for under $1000.

For me the P-3G is an absolute 'steal' when considering new cartridges. It can hold its own against some very stiff competition around here. The synergy with an FR-64S tonearm is 'set and forget' and sounds almost as good as with an FR-7fz (which would also cost you around $1500 in 'previously cherished' condition).

If you're inclined to try your luck in the 'vintage MC arena', there are plenty of other fantastic options within your budget, even taking into account the cost for a retip. 

FR-7fz (which would also cost you around $1500 in ’previously cherished’ condition).

Once in 5 years only if you’re lucky, more realistic price nowadays is something like $2500 and it will be sold pretty quick as they are mega rare. I’ve noticed that even FR-7f is often available for sale re-tipped, but sellers didn’t give a word about it in the listings (i can see too much glue around the diamond). So the buyer must be an expert to recognize fake diamond.

Interesting info about Phasemation, they are popular only among the Japanese audiophiles. Have you tried PP-1000 ?

@chakster,

Yeah, you’re right, the FR-7 series have appreciated in value. I believe the even rarer FR-7fc (with conical tip of all things!) is now listed on eBay for over $3k. Phew.

So far I only tried the P-3G (= PP-300), but if that is anything to go by the PP-1000 (or previously P-1G) must be truly fantastic. There’s now even a PP-2000 if you really want to let it hang out......

Another vote for ortofon cadenza bronze.