The best TT system for under 30K

terry/lalitk : The OP wants a " training " cartridge, second hand is a good option for a " trainer ".

In the other side, I bougth top LOMC cartridges second hand through Agon with excellent results.
You have to make a little research about the Agon seller through his Agon feedback, you are not buying in blind condition and if you buy using Paypal and what you receive is not what the seller stated you can recovery your money.

In over 20´that I bougth here I never had the necessity to confront the seller, always been satisfied with.

Agon is a guarantee for that kind of buyers and a very good opportunity to own and listen a top cartridge as the Windfeld for only 1.5K ! !

I know that both of you can buy it new at 5K ( the new Ti. ) but in the link I posted the seller said the cartridge has 50hours of play, is almost not even " settle down ".

Why distress audiophiles about? please let us how many second hand cartridges, both of you, bougth in Agon and how many of them were a true " scam"? please show your first hand specific experiences about?

About the ultrasonic cleaner terry said " for old records " and if both of you read the Agon thread about that that was said the OP there too. The OP here will buy new records and what I don't understand very well is of you lalitk that posted the Project cleaner and suddenly change your advise in your last post  ? ?

R.

Raul, I do not think that a newcomer to the hobby should have to worry about whether or not the cartridge he received is ’as advertised’. The OP is obviously not short of a few dollars, and he can afford to let others worry about that. It’s a cost-convenience tradeoff, with knowledge tipping the scale towards one side or the other. Personally, I would only go with a trusted source - but to date I have only bought new.

As for US cleaning, I clearly stated that I US all records, new, NOS, or used, because of contaminants which can be observed on some of them, even new in plastic. Further, after playing a record for a few years, I clean it again. Don’t get enough grunge off to detect it, but I don’t want to risk my stylus.

Obviously, you disagree. Fine. Enjoy.

Terry : I said " old records " because you refered to that " grunge " that does not " comes " in the new ones and that’s all.

As for used or new cartridges these are two options as other audio options: tube or SS, BD or DD, LT or pivoted.
You go for new only good noproblem about but I think that trying to desqualify or dimish the other alternative is only a " limitation " and this is your audio way of life and that’s why I understand your attitude.

Never mind, it’s not something to " live or die " for.

R.

PS: That Windfeld could be a challenge for your Kotsu too and only 1.5K. I'm not looking for a cartridge for me if not I bougth it with out doubt. Yes, this is me.

Can’t go wrong with a Lyra Delos around $2K. If you end up buying a turntable from Upscale Audio you can buy the Delos with it for around $1.4k. If you like it there are 3 Lyra models up the ladder. The Kleos $3.7k The Etna $9k The Atlas $12k
The discounts also apply to them and all other carts they sell.
No affiliation just a satisfied customer of a recent VPI and Lyra Kleos.

Yeah, Nagaoka M-500, Audio Note Io and a few Soundsmith cartridges might be just fine to begin with before jumping to Koetsu or other expensive MCs..