New Cartridge advice


I am looking for a new cartridge. I recently obtained a mint Denon DL-62 TT with 2 tonearms. I had the turntable cleaned and tuned by my local shop. Sounds great with my Stanton 681-EEE with the aftermarket Vivid line stylus. I also use a Nagaoka MP-200 with very good results.

I recently had my Darlington Labs phono amp upgraded to the MP8B and it will now support MC Cartridges with adjustable loading.

I have been torn between the Denon 103 series or possibly the Hana SL as my first purchase. The Denon TT has adjustable VTA. My concern is how well the TT can match the performance of the cartridge

System consists of Eversolo DMP8, LSA Warp 1 Amp and Linn Nexus or Tekton Lore Be Speakers.

Thanks

128x1281happyman

I found this, just to see what you have, seems like a keeper,

liquid audio review of Denon DP-62L Turntable

I like the end of play auto up feature as well as the interchangeable arm wands, and that the S has a removable headshell.

I would use a blank lp to see anti-skate set rather than trust a dial's numbers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU6AD2E/ref=syn_sd_onsite_desktop_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aref=phKFueGIsQ

changing arm height, two screws, hmmm, I guess I would use shims for each headshell/cartridge so the height of all my cartridges were essentially the same, simply change headshells, get alternate stereo, or mono, or MM or MC, VTA thus pre-set, adjust tracking force and anti-skate, done.

 

Unless you plan on spending over $2000 on a moving coil cartridge I would stick with high output cartridges. You get much more for your money and in that price range better performance. Look at the Nagaoka MP 500, Any one of the high output SoundSmith or Clearaudio cartridges, The Ortofon 2M Black LVB and even some vintage cartridges like yours or a Shure V15. High output cartridges have many benefits like increased dynamic range and much better signal to noise ratios.

If you are determined to get a moving coil cartridge I highly suggest you save up for a Lyra Delos. IMHO it is the best relatively inexpensive moving coil out there.