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Cartridge upgrade

Hi all.  I have a quick question.  I have a Marantz TT-15S1 turntable that I've been enjoying for the last couple of years.  I am still using the included MM Clearaudio Virtuoso wood cartridge that has served me well so far.  At the end of last year, I upgraded my phono stage to a Manley Chinook that I like a lot.  I am looking to upgrade my cartridge this fall.  I was looking at Kiseki Purple Heart NS.  My question is this, does it make sense to put a $3,400 cartridge on a $1,700 (base audiophile) table?  I imagine there will be some sound improvement but how much?

rfauto
lewm
12,840 posts
 

What other kind of advice is there?

id say get a better cartridge but don’t spend $3400. There are many great cartridges out there for under $1500 that will handily outperform the Clearaudio.

pooreboy
2 posts
 

I have this table as well, and I've been very happy with it using an AT OC9XSL MC cart. I think people tend to underestimate the ability of this turntable. I have no desire to upgrade to a more expensive table with this combo. 

boxcarman
389 posts
 

I have always been a "more for your money" type of buyer.  Audio Technica has a great lineup of cart's at a wide variety of price ranges. I would look at the VM line and you can choose different stylus types.  Go for the microline or shibata.  Bargain.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,186 posts
 

$3,400 will buy you more sonic benefits if spent on a cartridge than on a turntable.  You have a fine phono preamp and the turntable/tonearm is good enough, at least for now.  Think about your end game system and plot a path.  The Manley was a great first step.

rfauto OP
11 posts
 

Thanks everyone for your input. @mijostyn  I have a friend that has a Soundsmith Paua Mk II on his table. In my opinion it’s one of the best sounding cartridges I have heard. However, I think that costs more new than a Purple Heart. I would like to hear some of Soundsmth’s other offerings as I find their price to performance motivating. Has anybody had any experience with the Kiseki Blue Gold Spot. I wonder how their sonically different to a Purple Heart. 

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