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Phono cartridge suggestions sought

Hi All,

 I am in the market for a new phono cartridge. I can run up to $1400 but would prefer not to if i can get the performance I want. 

I listen to predominantly Jazz on vinyl, though some rock, folk and classical also gets spun

I recently heard a Hana SL and Rega Apheta at a dealers—different decks, same room and system. Both sounded good although the Apheta was not as heavy sounding and at the same time sounded more “present”. I wasn’t really looking at the Apheta, but it was available to listen to. 

The room is accoustically live with lots of glass and hard surfaces but all sounds good. 

System: Naim Atom, Bryston TT, Parasound JC jr phono stage (so huge loading flexibility and gain up to the 60’s), Totem Acoustics Signature Ones, Transparent cables. Current cart: Denon 103r with 250 hours on it, so it is winding down. 

I have enjoyed the Denon. But wondering about that all elusive “more.”

on paper spec, nobody touches the Grados for channel separation, but not sure how essential a criterion that should be. Especially since I worked hard to tame some RFI from a nearby antenna and the Grados I have heard said are not well-shielded. 

Since my Totems only drop down to 45 Hz, I suppose absolute resolution on the low end could be sacrificed for other sonic goods. 

Ok, hive mind, what do you suggest?
dramatictenor
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The Audio-Technica ART -9 is a great suggestion. The Ortofon Quintet Black S is another cartridge that punches way above its price point.
read reviews and get a listen if you can which is admittedly hard.
I would never get a cartridge re tipped by anyone but the manufacturer of that cartridge. You would never know what you are getting.  I have never had a cartridge re tipped and I have never worn out a stylus probably because another cartridge comes along that I want to try. Eventually you have a bunch of cartridges none of which are worn out. There are always two or three that you like best the others I give away. 
Vintage cartridges? I suppose you can rebuild them but technology moves on and I have no desire to go backwards. 
bukanona
174 posts
 
There is no new technology after Victor MC L-1000. 
So there is no need to look forward. 
 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
You should be getting more than 250 hours use from the 103. Get a bottle of Stylast and apply it before playing an LP side. Afterwards use a piece of Magic Eraser to clean the tip. This should extend stylus life considerably! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
The venerable 103 is the Toyota Corolla of cartridges! A good daily driver that performs up to specs and is affordable! A good recommendation is the Hana SL with the Shibata tip ($750). A superior stlyus profile that will extract "more" from those tiny grooves!
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,739 posts
 
I'll second the ditch the Denon theme, not an overly great cart but a good performer for the money and not worth re-tipping ,IMO, just get a better cart. 

+I'll also second the ART9 its a fantastic cart for the money, also the hana sl cart is quite good for the money. 

Depending on your arm compliance also look at the Van den Hull MC 10 its their entry level cart but is a wonderfully detailed cart and has the fantastic VDH stylus. I'd say its better then the Art 9 and anything Hana has to offer, I've heard all three (in my system) and own an older version of the VDH Mc10.
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