Cartridge recommendations?


Needs
High compliance
4-7 g weight
MM or HOMC
easily sourced
replaceable stylus
$100-200
balanced good sound
wrat
Are the older SMMC series Soundsmith's still made? Unless they are still made under the B&O name.
Yes.  Under B&O compatible, I think.  If you look at the specs, they’re a great deal.  That’s why I tried the one I already had on the turntable that’s supposedly not the best match.  I never did get an answer here about how that “mismatch “ might manifest, and I haven’t noticed any ill effects
wrat:

I remember the 440.

Funny, as I was looking at the new AT95's before I found the spare stylus for my Grado (considered the red and orange models).

DeKay


At that price level I also second a Grado Prestige or an Audio Technica.If you listen exclusively to Jazz and Pop, Grado will take you to (relative) heaven, but it's abysmal for classical (to my ears). Has rich but muddy midbase that adds a lot of meat, but also adds a lot of mess.
Audio Technicas are much better for classical music, but might be too lean for many pop and some jazz. ATs have a leaner midbase, but very clear spectrum otherwise.


Shure m97xe, but you will pay a premium. Now going for $300 or more new on eBay. I have one in use on a vintage Lenco, and one new in the box. Very high compliance and a great tracker, plus the damped brush. The replacement shure stylus are fetching a high price as well. However, you can grab a used m97xe and go to LP gear and buy a jico replacement stylus.