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New cartridge $500 range

I have a Pro-Ject 2 Xperience turntable with a Sumiko Blue point #2 cartridge. It is time for a new cartridge. I’m thinking of switching to a MM cartridge. Is there something out there that would be a upgrade from the blue point in the $500 range. 

Rest of my system:
Emotiva XMC-1
Parasound 2125v2 for the front left and right speakers
AV123 Strata Mini front speakers
Pro-Ject Phono Box SE phono amp
Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Parasound Zphono USB phono amp (mostly for recording)
I also have an Emotiva UPA-700 to power my center and surround speakers.

I am thinking of a MM cartridge to get a little more gain, having to turn the volume way up kind of bothers me a little. I would be open to staying with the blue point or another MC cartridge. I would just like something that is easy to setup





thegreenline
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
If your gonna use a low output cart you use a step up, or have the ability to add gain via phono stage.. My Macs have it on the older and newer (better) models 2X or 50 series preamps. Their SS Phono sections are pretty nice too.

You need a certain amount of gain.. It can rob the luster out of the ol LP, no depth, no twinkle (wind chimes) in the music so to speak.. A good phono stage...Makes a good cart sound great sometimes.. Loading it to complement the two.. Cart and phono pre.. Takes a little tinkering..

Regards
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,672 posts
 
The Goldring 1012GX has a hefty output of 6.5 mv. The Grado Reference Platinum 2 has an output of 5mv.
Any one of these should fit the bill!
https://www.lpgear.com/product/GOLDRG1012GX.html
https://www.lpgear.com/product/GRADREFPLT2.html
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Or the Goldring 1042. Great cart for the money.
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@thegreenline - I gonna suggest getting a new phono stage

try this one...
Amazon.com: MOON by Simaudio 110LP V2 Phono Preamplifier: Home Audio & Theater

It is within your $500 budget and will improve sound greatly

Regards
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

what are you trying to improve from the sound you are currently hearing by upgrading carts from your sbp2?

i concur w others who have said one needs to think about cartridge and phono stage as a matched tandem
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