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New Cartridge Suggestions

Help.  I’m way too new to ferret thru the myriad of cartridges. I received a George Warren turn table in Feb.  It has a Denon DL-110 on it. I’m getting a new Jolida JD-9 for Christmas because my Denon AVR-4806 doesn’t quite cut it & seems to leave a veil over some of the music.

The little neighbor kid started playing with the tt & bent the stylus.  As I read, the cost to replace the stylus is a wash because something needs to be rebuilt before a stylus can be out on.  So, I might as well replace it.

I don’t know of any places north of Chicago to audition new cartridges.  My budget is very stretched at $500-I expected to only be getting to the phono preamp.  
1) Does anyone know of a place in N/NW Chicago or suburbs to shop a cartridge?
2) is there anything on Audiogon that people would recommend?

I tend to like things a tad bright.
Please don’t critique what I have or give suggestions to replace X & Y & Z.

Thank you again for your guidance.
tochsii
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
I’m a Soundsmith fanboy, so take this for what you will...

I’d consider the $400 Otello from Soundsmith:

https://sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/otello

With budget concerns, I’d even consider a rebuilt "B" stock unit for $300 (as it will be essentially a new cartridge). Plus, Peter can rebuild your cartridge indefinitely for $100 (if / when something happens to it again).

Personally, I will only consider Soundsmith cartridges because of 1) their design, 2) their rebuild policy / price, and 3) to support the man behind the company (he’s one of the good guys). Watch his videos on-line to see why (assuming you’re unfamiliar with the Soundsmith).
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,860 posts
 
OP doesn't seem to say what his table and arm are but the SS Otello appears to be a high compliance cartridge.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
The Otello can be ordered as High Compliance, but standard is Medium Compliance. The only hesitation is that Peter describes this cartridge as "warm" and the OP tends "to like things a tad bright".
Additional Specifications 

Stylus: Elliptical Titanium Bonded, 0.20mm Round
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17 μm
Cantilever: Aluminum Alloy
Recommended tracking force: 1.3 - 1.6 gm (standard medium Compliance); 1.0 - 1.2 grams for special order High Compliance
Effective tip mass: 0.50 mg
Compliance: 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >24 dB, 50-15,000 >20 dB
Channel difference: <1.8 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output voltage: >2.12 mV
Cartridge weight: 6.8 grams
Stylus to Mounting Hole Offset: ≈ 10mm (0.4")
Loading: ≥ 47 kΩ


bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
Have you considered an AT OC9/II?  It's a very underrated cartridge that is crisp, tight, detailed, musical and dynamic.  Some say it errs on the bright side.  I say it has honest high frequency response.  Just because it is inexpensive doesn't mean it's a budget cartridge.  It is a high end cartridge than can be purchased at budget cartridge prices.  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@mmorrison55 

I don’t quite understand your post. Are you for or against the Hanna carts? It was that video that got me looking into the Hana line and they are at the top of my list when I buy my TT as I understand they are hard to beat for the money. 
 
Not against Hanna, but i'm quite familiar with the best Excel Sound cartridges, including the OEM models this company made in the late '80s.
And while the Hanna is their budget line, the Etsuro Urushi MC is their premium line. I have a cartridge from the '80s which they just copied to make Etsuro Urushi nowadays. In my opinion Hanna is also just a copy of average carts they made in the '80s. I don't understand a hype about Hanna cartridges. They are affordable which is good! But there are many amazing vintage cartridges for the same price (mm, mi or mc). Back in the days Excel Sound made all SAEC cartridges. 

P.S. Mr.Fremer's Excel Sound factory tour does not impress me much, sorry. 
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