best MM cartridge...

mingles:
actually the cheapo phono was purchased so that I could setup an old yamaha P220 and get reacquainted with what's left of my vinyl collection. In the future I plan to play those thrift store finds on it first to see if the records can be salvaged.
I'm also looking for phono suggestions, that can do both MM/MC. Your right though, that's an excellent suggestion to live with K9 for awhile

I've gone through SHURE, ORTOPHON,GOLDRING, A&R CAMBRIDGE, GRADO, SUMIKO and REGA MM cartridges. For my money the A&R P78/REGA Elys2 were/are the best of those - providing Stereo imaging is not important. But the last REGA price I saw was $285...the A&R...long gone...

Another vote for the AT150

Raul:
It seems most of your excellent suggestions for MM cartridges are vintage and difficult to find. I'd rather spend more time searching for and listenning to vintage vinyl. What current production models would you reccommend?
Let's say <$1000, or better yet, <$500...Something I could order online. The only shop nearby (+50 mi.) carries Rega only!

Dear Jlamb: Please read this link:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&openflup&84&4#84

the point is: to know where to look for, email me if you want.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.