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Cartridge Recomendations for VPI HK-19 MK IV w/Gra

Hi all. I have a VPI HK-19 MK IV w/Graham 1.5t on the way and am looking for opinions or recommendations on good cartridge match ups with the Graham 1.5t (11 grams mass) and TT. Budget under $1000 please and HOMC or MM, as I am still relatively new to this and do not want to mix in step up devices or separate phono amps to my learning curve at this point. I will run the TT through a McIntosh mm phono stage.

My current system consists of McIntosh 6900, Jolida JD100 cd player, SF Cremona Speakers. I don't play music every day, but when I do, I like a nice sounding system that will not give me ear fatigue. I listen to mainly female vocals and instrumentals.

Some cartridges I am wondering about are Grado Reference Sonata, Benz Micro Glider SH, ClearAudio Virtuoso Wood. The Grado appeals because of its reputation for warm, lush midrange, but I wonder if this is too light for the Graham arm?, and am also concerned reading other posts that claim the Grado highlights record noise and may "hum" with some TT's.

I appreciate any input you may have.
trtrtr49
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Hi Markd51, I used Grado cartridges of various vintages (XTC, XYZ, Sonata, Reference) on a VPI HK-19 for over 20 years with no hum problems, but I always used the 1.5mv versions that were available back then, not the 4-5mv versions. Perhaps that's the reason for the different experience.
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nedmast
17 posts
 
I have used my VPI HW-19 MkIV with Graham 1.5t with a wood bodied Grado cartridge (forgotten which model) without problem. But I agree with Markd51; the audio-technica AT150MLX works beautifully with that combo. I found mine on Audiogon at a good price and couldn't be happier. (I've since switched it over to my Nakamichi Dragon, in which it also works beautifully). A very nice cartridge that one can listen to for hours without fatigue.
markd51
763 posts
 
I was browsing over at the asylum earlier, seen you had posed the same question there, and the one recommendation at this point, was for the Clearaudio Maestro Cartridge.

I never owned-heard one, so I certainly cannot give a personal viewpoint either way, to say if it is worth it's $1,000 price tag. One would assume at this price, this MM should be outstanding. I was going to suggest it, if you are willing to take the chance spending this sort of money.

I'm certainly no authority on Clearaudio, they make-market some nice products, and some very expensive products. I have heard it rumored, that some, if not many of Clearaudio Cartridges use Audio Technica Parts in their construction.

What parts are implemented, and what changes, or differences are made, other than the wood bodies on the Clearaudios, I cannot honestly say? They may very well all being coming out of Japan from the same factory, just a pretty wood body added to give a slightly different voice-sound?

For a 1/4 of the Maestro's price, the Cartridge I suggested earlier should pleasantly surprise you. Mark
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