New to Turntables

Hello,
Yamaha phono stage will probably be better. Also, I like the idea of the Schiit Mani just to try it out. I own it for a cheap rig in my office and it works great. I would go with the Nagaoka MP110 instead of the Ortifon Red 2m. The Nag is a little more forgiving in my opinion. That what you need is forgiveness in sound. Also, with the Ortifon you might need to adjust the VTA if you can or get a different mat. With the Nag  it is very similar in size to the cheaper cartridges so no need to readjust the VTA. Basically what might happen is you might get more bass than you want with the Ortifon. If you can adjust the VTA I would go with the 2M blue. For an extra $150 it makes a big difference. People do this upgrade all the time because of the sonic impact. I hope this helped and best of all I have experienced this myself. 

simply try both, pick your preference.

my phono eq experiences:

main system:

had AT120 TT with switchable built in 'dinky' phono eq.

had McIntosh C28 SS Preamp, with phono stage, presumable better, right?

I preferred the dinky AT phono, sold the C28.

bought a vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, much prefer it's phono eq. Changed TT, arms. cartridges, love the mx110z's phono eq, thus use a SUT for MC so I can still use the mx110z's MM Phono EQ.
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Office System:

added a TT with MM. Needed Phono EQ.

bought Cambridge Duo. did NOT like it.

bought a Pyle $14. phono eq, to use while looking for something better. Sounded darn good, sent the Cambridge back.

Changed to a Luxman with both MM and MC built-in. Prefer it, gave the Pyle to a friend.

who will mount the alternate cartridge?

I suggest a 2nd headshell so you can compare/use different cartridges.

it takes some inexpensive tools, and acquired skill to mount a cartridge, I suggest you practice with the stock cartridge first, then align the new one.

note in mm the distance, from the center of the center spindle, to the stylus tip of the factory mounted cartridge. that is called ’overhang’. you want the same distance, the same overhang spindle center to stylus tip for ANY cartridge you mount (on that particular TT).

then all the other parameters to get the best sound, stylus life, and avoid damaging your LPs.

https://audio-technica.com.au/latest-news/how-to/align-turntable-cartridge/

I like this headshell because it has adjustable azimuth if needed, for this and any future TT

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293416434592?hash=item4450fb7ba0:g:fWQAAOSwq4VeXaps

That “Pats Audio Adjustable Azimuth Headshell” is too expensive. At least for me, since I have 108 cartridges. Half are on headshells. I just buy the $7 aluminum headshells. I can add mass, adjust azimuth, easily file the slots longer, remove the forward lip, basically hack it to any configuration I need. I can buy 5 for your 1!

I never use those 2-point protractors. Way too finicky, too much trial and error, no way to customize the best alignment for the particular cartridge and stylus tip geometry. For a newbie, just an absolute lesson in futility and a nightmare. I use the free Conrad Hoffman Arc protractor that’s customized to my arm, my chosen alignment (Lofgren B, Lofgren A or Baerwald, or Stevenson) and my choice of recording quantity on the records.  Line up tip on the arc, make parallel to only ONE set of grids, tighten and DONE. I align many cartridges, takes about 3-5 minutes.

@elliottbnewcombjr  

After checking the specs on the cartridge that comes with the Denon Dp-450, I decided to get the Ortofon 2m red, mostly because the Denon has to  be changed out after only 400 hours of use.  That tells me it isn't a well made cartridge to wear out that fast. The Ortofon 2m red can surpass 1000 hours of use.