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Best Cartridge for VPI Aries orig + JMW 10.5 ?

I have a VPI Aries (original version) and JMW 10.5. They feed an EAR 834p phono stage, mccormack map-1 preamp, rotel 1095 amp, and vienna acoustics beethoven speakers (which are a bit "warm" sounding). I listen to mostly bluegrass, followed by classic rock and jazz. What is the best choice of cartridge at $1500 or less? (any views on the Sumiko Celebration in this set up?) Any thoughts welcomed as I am a bit new at this. (ps. will one day move to all tubes, but likely a few years off).
banjofan
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
As noted in response to another cartridge query above, I don't think you can do much better than the Grado Reference. List is $1200, and many are offered for less. Good luck.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I should have noted that I have your tonearm and an early-model VPI TNT, so I know the Grado cart is compatible.
lithojoe
119 posts
 
Helicon
ljgj
955 posts
 
I have the Sumiko Celebration in this same setup and enjoy it very much. I have tried the Ruby Silver and Clearaudio Virtuoso but prefer the sound of the Celebration. I still own all these cartridges and use them in a second system. I had the Grado Sonata but didn't really care for the presentation. I have not heard the Grado Reference.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I'll second the Lyra Helikon.
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