Looking for cartridge recommendations

@holmz Thank you for the links. I'll definitely read those articles a little later tonight.

Here are spec's for the 850's phono stage (it's for higher output cartridges)...

Input sensitivity: 6.5mV (mic), 2.5mV (MM)

The "mic" spec is for Phono 2 (2.5mV = Phono 1).

DeKay

Thank you dekay. And thanks for explaining it. So short of getting an external phone preamp, it’s moving magnet cartridges??

I’m afraid I have no idea what those specs mean.

I shoved in a Garrott Bros p77i a year and a bit ago, and it was pretty good.
It is a high output cart. (~$500 USD and I find it seems good.)

Then I got a phono stage which can do moving coil.

You will other need a SUT or to go with something like a SoundSmith Zephyr mk III.
Or some other contact line or shibata stylus.
A SUT allows you to run a MC cartridge with a MM type of phono gain.

I would suggest for budget that you just get a high output cart.
Depending upon where you are there should be a shop that has the usual suspects that you can listen to.

I would go with a replacement stylus (approx. $60) for your FC+ or try the latest version (V3?) of the Grado Prestige Gold or Silver for well under $300.

I like the less expensive Grado cartridges in my system.

Yes, you need a higher output cartridge (greater than or equal to the 2.5mV spec I posted).

The new Grado will have more detail than your old model, but will still sound similar.

DeKay