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Help with Cartridge choice

Fellow audiophiles, my first time posting here and I will appreciate your help in choosing the right cartridge as part of my broader journey to put together an end game system. My upgrade path may not be very logical because it is opportunistic.

I use an old Pro-Ject Perspective turntable from early 2000s with the 9" aluminium arm (not the carbon one). I will make a significant upgrade in next couple of years but thats what i have for now.

I recently bought a Zesto Andros II phono stage to match my Zesto Leto 1.2 pre.

For now I am trying to upgrade from my Ortofon Bronze (MM) cartridge to something finer. Based on my research I am considering Hana ML ($1200). I have to stay below $1500. I have never used a MC or LOMC and not very analog savvy, and will appreciate any and all recommendations. 

Thank you!

musicmatters1206
bubba12's avatar
bubba12
435 posts
 

Save up and get a turntable first. Some of your description leads me to believe its not great. I would rather have a few hundred dollar cartridge on a good turntable.

johnto
1,010 posts
 

You may want to consider a gently used cartridge as your money will go twice as far.

Don't overlook Soundsmith cartridge's they provide everything you want and have a great retipping program. I picked up a Carmen and that ended my search.

Good luck.

fleschler
1,992 posts
 

I can’t believe no one has mentioned the highly esteemed Dynavector 20XII. You can use the L version like the Hana ML with your Zesto. It is slightly less expensive than the Hana and neck and neck in sound quality, construction, etc. 3 of my friends use it in VPI, Goldmund and Denon turntables (older tables with excellent arms). I am replacing my worn Benz Ruby 3 with it on an SME IV arm/VPI TNT VI. The reason is I own 28,500 LPs and want to get the best sound from a very, very wide range of recordings, from mono to stereo, jazz, opera, rock and classical. The Dynavector XX2 and Karat dig deeper into the details of the music but at the expense of being more particular concerning the recorded sound. The 20XII L will give all your records, new and used, superior sound to your Ortofon.  Very dynamic and very quiet tracker.  Retail is $1150. My next cartridge up could be the Hana Umami Red. I considered the Kiseki cartridges but they are very finicky in setup and compliance match is not good. 

jimadams
2 posts
 

Audio Technica AT540ML is a big winner with reviewers.  Tough MM to beat for $250 while you're fretting and contemplating high risk upgrades.  Gotta get the SRA right though.  The MicroLine diamond shape presents knife edges.  It is the quietest cart I've owned.  It's a no brainer,    

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