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MM Cartridge recommendation

I am in the process of upgrading from my current project debut carbon(with acrylic platter and ortofon blue) to a vintage Micro Seiki DD-5.  It will come with the stock tone arm and Micro H-303 headshell but no cart. I am looking for any recommendations for a MM cartridge sub $500?  This turntable will be used with a Cronos Magnum III powering a pair of Triangle Acoustics Comete 40th anniversary speakers.

I was thinking of a Nagaoka MP150 or 200 but have no experience with cartridges other then the Ortofon 2m line  so all suggestions are welcomed. 
Thanks in advance. 

tritube
foggyus91's avatar
foggyus91
229 posts
 

@lewm Yes they are similar but they are polymer. Love my MP carts. 

billstevenson
626 posts
 

The products of two companies always come to mind for me when it comes to MM cartridges that offer exceptional performance, consistency and value:  Audio Technica and Ortofon.  

lmnop
67 posts
 

MoFi MasterTracker on sale for $500 at music direct. I very much like mine. +1 the Nagaoka 200. I have the 200 and 500. And a little cheaper is the Audio Technica VM740ML. 

johnto
1,077 posts
 

Have you thought of MI cartridges, Soundsmith Otello or a slightly under Carmen would fall nicely into your price range. The rebuilding costs are extremely reasonable when that time comes. I purchased a lightly used Carmen II about 7 years and couldn’t be happier Nice high end, bass and everything in between,

 

bthomassie
18 posts
 

A Nagaoka MP-200 or 300 would be lovely.  I have the Nagaoka MP-500 and am very happy with it.

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