Phono preamp & Cartridge? for Sota Millennia/SME 5

In cartridges, neutral means ZYX. No cartridge I've heard will match a ZYX for neutrality and natural sounding instruments and voices. The XV-1S is also a good cartridge, a little weightier for rock than comparably priced ZYX's, not quite as fast, transparent or neutral for classical or small group jazz. ZYX's are best bought from the US distributor, who sells direct here on A'gon.

A ZYX on an SME V would need the optional "SB" weight, which is available on the Airy 2, Airy 3 or UNIverse. The UNIverse is above your budget (unless you meant $4500 x 2). The Airy 2 is a slightly reserved or polite sounding cartridge but with a really magical way of neutrality or "disappearing". It's great for small group jazz or classical and vocal soloists. Not as great for rock. The Airy 3 does all those as well or better and it adds more energy and freedom. It's excellent for big classical and lively enough for rock too.

Others have more experience than me with phono stages in what's left of your budget. I jumped from a vintage c-j preamp that now sells for $600 to a custom design that retails for $10-11K. No baby steps! ;-)

Enjoy the hunt,
Doug

I have heard the Sota Millennia with an Art Audio Viny One (which I own) driving a pair of Green Mountain Audio's C-3's I second the ZYX airy 3. Pick both up used here and be under your budget. A great combo.
Good luck

Dougdeacon,
Any thoughts on if purchasing a used ZYX airy 3 cartridge is OK or do you think of all the things that people sell used on Audiogon I could really get burned with cartridges.

Have you ever heard Koestu Urushi Vermillion cartridge or Dynavector xv-1

I don't know how much stock anyone should put in reviews, but a recent issue of the British publication Hi Fi News & Record Review did a shoot out of about six cartridges in the price range you are shopping. I believe the review included a ZYX cartridge (finished somewhere in the middle or back of the pack), a Koetsu, and an Allaerte (judged to be sonically the best).

I have heard a number of cartridges and phono stages, but I feel there is no way to reliably predict how combinations would work out, given that such analysis would have to include all of the other downstream components as well. I will venture to say that whatever you end up with, your table/arm combination will not be a limiting factor -- I think both are very capable performers.