Cartridge recommendations?

wrat:

No attempt to brand shame you - just look @ my listed system.

More info equals (hopefully) better advice.

Like Grado (currently using a Silver that I recently resurrected with a NOS replacement stylus that I forgot I owned), but my experience is with their older Prestige line.

Lot's of conflicting views on Grado as to tonearm effective mass compatibility, but from my experience with their budget line they sounded best with the medium mass tonearms I've tried (9.5-12.5 approx.).

Never tried fluid or other dampers, which others have with lighter arms, so no comment there.

If the newer budget versions are different (more compatible) then great - I then suggest Grado.

But once again, the deck/arm/preamp info would help.

DeKay

@dekay 
all info is now current in my systems

Soundsmith SMMC4 and 1/2 inch adapter.  High compliance, just under 4 grams without headshell screws.  Closer to $300, but I think Soundsmith does have a eBay store.  Maybe there’s a deal on the cartridge and adapter.  

Within that budget, I recommend an Audio Technica.

well a friend gave me a grado red to try it sounds good but no amount of fiddling is getting rid of the sibilance ..
Ive tried 2 after market styli for my old cart r1000edt and both were massive failures ( the old cart sounds fine, good even BUT is OLD)
I ordered  AT-VM95ML will see how that goes
also have a stanton L747 on the way so....

@sryeager now thats a very interesting idea over budget though