2. analog
  3. 149658-7

Best cheapo Cartridge

In a bind, I have 2 cartridges that have seen better days.   My Ortofon Jubilee has at least 1500 hours on it and I’m starting to hear a drop in performance.  My Transfiguration Proteus only has 450 hours but is on the fritz and they are OOB.

I have too many irons in the fire to spend alot and need one to hold me over for a while.  Thinking about a MM, like Ortofon or Grado.  Would be mating with a Basis Vector 4 tonearm, Basis 2200 sig, and either Allnic H3000 or ARC PH 5.  Speakers are Thiels.  

Analog heads please give me some advice.   I have no experience with MM or MI or than many cartridges in my system  for that matter.  


pops
normansizemore
601 posts
 
iopscrl

I agree.  I still have a Shure V15III.  I have also found the Pickering XSV 3000 to an outstanding cartridge.  So many to choose from.  

N.  
vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
@rauliruegas  I'm wondering if in your experience with many, many cartridges you have auditioned the Denon 103 M.  As I am sure you know the M is quite different from all the other 103's.  i picked mine up for $250 and, while it is not up to my far more expensive mc cartridges, for the price it is very nice.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
 I have also found the Pickering XSV 3000 to an outstanding cartridge.

this is true, also Stanton 881s or higher models. 
don't have my XSV-3000 cartridge anymore, but still have a NOS (sealed) original Stereohedron stylus for this model . 

rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear @vpi  : My first LOMC cartridge was the 103 that I still have. In those old times Denons puts in the market several versions of the 103 like the one you named, some only for the japanese market, that unfortunatelly I never had the opportunity to listen it.

I have not an opinion on that specific model.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
@rauliruegas,@rauliruegas,  I just sent my 103 M off to Andy Kim at Needle Clinic for an upgrade.  I'll let you know how it sounds when it comes back.  The 103 M is a very low output MC at .12 mv.   That said, running it through a Herron VTPH 2a into my CAT SL-1 gives me more than enough gain.  
Cheers,
H
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