M44-7 has extremely high output for MM cartridge ( 9.5 mV) , cheapest bonded conical stylus with rolled-off bass and highs. This cartridge is very popular on club scene, even after Shure officially discontinued this one and many other cartridges. Why it’s so popular ? The answer is OUTPUT and very good tracking abilities for professional use (DJing).
If you will buy a great MM or MI cartridge to replace your Shure M44-7 the output will be 2-5 mV (some MM/MI have lower output). Prepare for this, because loudness has nothing to do with the quality!
The best cartridges you can get for under $350 are Stanton 881s and Pickering XSV/3000. Both carts have nude Stereohedron stylus tip and sound like a mastertape. You will never find anything close to this (in the same budget) buying modern MM cartridges. If you can spend more there are better cartridges, but still not modern MM.
P.S. If you want to improve your M44-7 search for Jico S.A.S. (Super Analog Stylus), but this stylus will cost you like a whole new cartridge. I'm not sure they made SAS for M44-7, but you can email them and ask for SAS.
If you will buy a great MM or MI cartridge to replace your Shure M44-7 the output will be 2-5 mV (some MM/MI have lower output). Prepare for this, because loudness has nothing to do with the quality!
The best cartridges you can get for under $350 are Stanton 881s and Pickering XSV/3000. Both carts have nude Stereohedron stylus tip and sound like a mastertape. You will never find anything close to this (in the same budget) buying modern MM cartridges. If you can spend more there are better cartridges, but still not modern MM.
P.S. If you want to improve your M44-7 search for Jico S.A.S. (Super Analog Stylus), but this stylus will cost you like a whole new cartridge. I'm not sure they made SAS for M44-7, but you can email them and ask for SAS.