Cartridge for Graham 1.5

I would suggest the Lyra Helikon or if you can secure a used lyra cart that is not working, you can get the Skala for 2300 or so but that is with a cart in return.

You can probably ask your local lyra dealer to see if they have any old Lyra lying around that thay can trad in for you.

Skala is 3200 new but with trade in you will have it for 2300. If you want a new one you can get the Helikon for about 2000. But Skala is a step higher. I would say its 98% Lyra Titan quality. Again this is my openion, others may be different.

I have the Graham 1.5T (on a VPI TNT) and have been using the Ortofon Jubilee for the last 10 months. Great sounding cartridge and a big step up from the Crown Jewel (aka shelter 501) which I used for a few years.
The Jubilee sounds full bodied, robust and uncolored - ie without ever tipping into warmth. It has great bass definition and natural highs with no brightness. Dynamics are a significant step-up from the CJ - as is soundstaging and image focus. It's also the best tracking cartridge I've owned, almost never loses it's composure, making it very relaxing to listen to.
This doesn't really convey what great music maker the Jubilee is - it's a thoroughly enjoyable and involving cartridge to listen to. In my system it stomps on the CJ in this respect. It does require careful setup to extract the best and is a little fussy about VTA/VTF/azimuth - perhaps due to the stylus shape.

I have a Koetsu Rosewood Signature in my 1.5t. The arm has the 2.2 bearing upgrade. The combination sounds transparent, dynamic and very sweet. The Koetsu was quite cheap because it needed rebuilding. I had that done at Benz in Switzerland. The total cost came in under your budget.

I've got a Graham 2.1 with a Helikon mono cartridge (on a Sota Sapphire tt). Great synergy - - wouidn't expect any less from a 2.1/stereo Helikon match.

Thanks for the imput so far. It helps me and I hope others.

I did a search on the Jubilee and note its compliance is 16 and 10.5 grams. Seems like that would be a good mechanical fit. You believe it to have good synergy with the 1.5?

The Lyra Helikon : 8.0 grams
Compliance: Approx. 12 x 10 x (1/1000000)/dyne at 100 Hz
Seems a bit low on compliance and light from what little I have been able to find here. The Skala$$$ has the same compliance and 1 gram heavier You have had great success with this on the Graham 1.5?

I did not know a Koetsu would be a great match with the Graham. I could not find much on it accept low/med compliance. Lucky you on that find, Benz rebuilt it like OEM? Do you remember the rebuild price? I have plenty of time and if lucky could maybe do the same.

I am also looking at the Dynavector XX2, ZXY R100 and Sumiko Celebration. But seems like everyone suggests use with the SME V and I really don't want to change arms.
I like what I hear currently but I believe a better cart can bring more pleasure. I am not good at all describing sound or what I like but I do like to experiment some and listen to quality pieces in my system. I guess transparent with problems of omission rather that comission it that makes any sense.