Audio-Technica VM750SH or Goldring 1042

@rauliruegas , I wish I could say otherwise Raul but I have examined a few recent AT cartridges and their tolerances are just not as tight as they should be. I had one VM 95ML under the scope that had a SRA of 86 degrees which is the worst I have ever seen. Granted it is a less expensive cartridge but it speaks to a corporate mentality. I am also not crazy about some of their designs but that is an opinion a SRA of 86 degree is not an opinion.

@williewonka , I certainly agree that the mirrored protractors make life easier and more accurate. The criteria for setting up cartridges is the same regardless of stylus profile. Lofgren B is Lofgren B. You are either accurate or you are not. Fine line styluses may be more critical in some respects sounding worse if you are not accurate. I have to say that is have seen some amazingly terrible setups with the owner not aware they had a problem. https://i.imgur.com/iVEyDli.jpg  Here is a picture of my heavily modified WallyScope. It is showing a cartridge with an azimuth off by 25 degrees. It was noticed when the cartridge started mistracking. The cartridge was replaced under warranty. Every cartridge I buy or setup is carefully examined for defects that might affect performance.  

Leaning toward AT VM750SH. Microline styli seem toomuch trouble and Nagaoka priced at a premium.

Can't go too wrong with the 750. It's a good budget cartridge.  I have one in a 12" Jelco 850 as a spare. 

Dear @mijostyn  : "  I had one VM 95ML under the scope that had a SRA of 86 degrees which is the worst I have ever seen. "

First one butterfly does not makes Spring season.

Second it is almost the AT entry level at 160.00

Third I still own it with ML and Elipthical stylus tips and I bougth it new for 90.00

Fourth both in perfect condition and if I remember ( I'm not really sure you comented was a very good quality performer inside its price.

In the other side Oertofon Anna with a hefty over 7k dollars and in some of its owners in the first 50 hours of play the stylus tip just disappeared and it's not the only Ortofon with that so " low quality " even is lower than the one you mentiones in the AT but not was the only Ortofon because same quality was showed with the Cadenza Bronce and in one of my MC5000.

Errors happens in the best " families ", I remember here a few months ago a thread where a new Lyra cartridge owner ( the OP. )  ask if was normal that a new Lyra cartridge came with no starigth cantilever and obviously that JC gave an answer ans changed the cartridge for other sample. You own Lyra and Ortofon cartridges . That you don't like AT does not means in anyway that it has the poor quality control of other manufacturers because it's not that way.

R.

@rauliruegas . you are right, an anecdote does not a study make. Yes, the VM sounded surprisingly good with the tonearm's -ss way up in the air. It is not the only AT cartridge I have examined that was not satisfactory. Perhaps the more expensive cartridges are better, but what does that say about the manufacturer?  As you noted it is the way the manufacturer handles the problem that counts. Most people who buy inexpensive cartridges have no idea how to set up a cartridge and usually leave that up to the dealer. The bad cartridges go unnoticed. Then there are nutbags like me who examine every nick and cranny they can get into. It is said there are only two or three manufacturers of cantilever stylus assemblies. There are way more categories of fit and finish and it is very obvious that the more expensive cartridges are getting better units, much better units. There are a few exceptions and the Goldring 1042 is one of them. I have not examined a Nag Mp-500 but I suspect it is one of them also from pictures I have seen. 

Any manufacturer that lets a cartridge loose in that condition de facto has a QC problem. I'm not saying ATs are bad cartridges. The designers do not make them. You do have to be careful when you buy one and make sure everything lines up correctly.