If you love the Ortofon 2M Black, you'll really love...... (help me upgrade)

What tonearm are you using / plan to use?

I have a SME M2-12R.

120 bucks (recently got cheaper as I think it’s being phased out) for a Sumiko Pearl is far more shun-worthy, and so good on my Linn/Akito rig that I eventually bought a replacement stylus...an amazing sounding cartridge, but seriously so inexpensive that most won’t bother to hear one, and that’s a shame. The newer Sumikos (Ranier, Olympia, Newark, Fresno) that are likely replacing it also may be good, but to me look kinda cheap.

Dear @dhcod : In that price range today LOMC designs is mandatory and you can't go wrong with either of next very good cartridges that I have first hand experiences because I owned or tested in my system:



https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9adid-van-den-hul-colibri-xgp-gold-lw-new-latest-version-cartri...

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9abf0-lyra-kleos-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a2j6-ortofon-a90-new-and-unused-mc-cartridge-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis99f08-linn-kandid-flagship-moving-coil-cartridge-cartridges

All of them outperform your Ortofon 2M Black.


Btw, the Linn Candid was buided by the same Lyra Kleos cartridge manufacturer Scan-Tech. The other 3 needs no presentation.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I was looking carefully at that a90 but didn't pulled the trigger. As of last night I finally figured out how to get my London Decca Super Gold working and that's way better than the 2M so I'm thinking I'm going to listen to that and reevaluate in a while. Thanks for all the suggestions!