best MM cartridge...

I don't have any experience with the Ortofon 2M Black.

You're going to get wildly different recommendations unless you give us a price range and some other information about your system and what you like to listen to. If you haven't seen the forum below, you should check it out. It's long, but Raul has done his homework and he gives the reader a lot of good information.

Who needs a MM cartridge type when we have MC?

great suggestions all! although in current audio evolution the pricey models (>$1k) I can't yet(?) justify. I listen to almost all types of music to varying degrees depending on the mood. From small ensemble jazz to classical to world to flamenco to rock to punk on occassion, etc. I consider my system to be better than mid-fi, maybe even hi-fi! Simaudio I5, Rega Jupiter2000, Joseph Audio RM7 sig, Zu Cable Julian bi-wire and Warmouth IC. Current table is a 'found' Yamaha P220 with unmarked Audio Technica and a cheapo phono pre I picked at a TV repair shop for $25 new. I have an AR ES-1 on the way w/Linn Basik LVX arm and K9 cartridge. So I'm also thinking about phonos in the <$1k range.

Mingles, I started to read that tread but 'lost it' mid-way through! The AT150 is an interesting suggestion, how would it compare to the Linn K9?

¿So where is Raul?... oh well, I,m almost sure he is going to say something like: What,s the best MM.. but for what arm?
but lets wait for his opinion. As said above check out his previous threads on this subject.

what about one of the Grado References? Moving iron instead of MM but same output.

Dear Jlamb: I'm sorry to hear that you " lost " on that thread, well from that same thread:

+++++ " If you ask me which one is the best I can tell you that this will be a very hard “ call “ an almost impossible to decide, I think that I can make a difference between the very good ones and the stellar ones where IMHO the next cartridges belongs to this group:

Audio Technica ATML 170 and 180 OCC, Grado The Amber Tribute, Grace Ruby, Garrot P77, Nagaoka MP-50 Super, B&O MMC2 and MMC20CL, AKG P8ES SuperNova, Reson Reca ,Astatic MF-100 and Stanton LZS 981.

There are other ones that are really near this group: ADC Astrion, Supex MF-100 MK2, Micro Acoustics MA630/830, Empire 750 LTD and 600LAC, Sonus Dimension 5, Astatic MF-200 and 300 and the Acutex 320III. " +++++

you can find NOS or second hand many of these cartridges: B&O, Grace, Nagaoka, Reson, Clearaudio, Audio Technica ( 150 ), Empire, Garrot and Grado. Almost all of them are in your budget and are great cartridges.

Of course, like Cardani posted, with the right tonearm.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.