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Cartridge recommendation

Hey everyone,
This is my first post and have already learned a great deal from the wealth of information on this site, but still had a question regarding a cartridge. I have a Rega Planar 3 on the way to me as well as a Cambridge 640p phono pre and was wondering if someone could recommend a good cartridge combination for these two. I also have a NAD c315bee on way if that makes a difference. I would like to keep it around 100.00 to 150.00, but would go as high as 200.00 if it made a big enough difference in sound quality. I am kind of a best bang for the buck shopper. I've been looking at the Denon 110 or 160 as well as the comparable options from Grado or AT but wasn't sure what would work well with the 640p as well as the RB300 arm. I appreciate in any advice.
thanks,
Kevin
photok
grinnell
1,099 posts
 
Try the Ortofon 2M Red or Blue
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Denon 110 is actually better than the 160, I have a 110 in a Scout and it works very well, the VPIs mass isn't that different from the 300, which I have used in the past. I would go with it but the Ortofons are good also.
slowhead
40 posts
 
Photok: okay, you made some solid buys. The Denon would be my favorite choice, but is not ideal with the Cambridge. I had them together. The ouput is low enough that your amp. will need make up for that. Some people don't mind this, but I had a small amp. You may experience a significant difference in volume between other souces.
Budget wise the Audio Technica AT120E ($80) plays well. The Ortofon Red I only heard briefly and can't make a call on that. The Blue is well liked, but there are a lot of options below $200 to get started. I'm a fan of the LP Gear house brand. I own a DeftII ($100) and that is hard to beat for a hundred(that is a taller cart. and may need a spacer for a rega arm). I also have bought a few replacement styli's (hyperelliptical) for other brands that did well also.
photok OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. I think I had read a post somewhere about the Denon not being a good match for the 640, hence the question. Will having to compensate with the amp volume degrade the sound quality at all or just annoy me having to remember to turn the volume down for ipod and CD play?

How would the AT120e compare to the AT440mla? Does anyone know if it is worth the 100.00 more in sound quality? Seems like a lot of people like the 440 with the Rega's.

Is there a big difference in the Ortofon red or blue, on the specs sheet they look pretty close. I figure there must be something about them to make a 100.00 difference, but can really tell.

The LP house brand look intriguing but I have never heard anything about them until now. Might be a good place to start.

I've also read good feedback about Grado, any suggestions for them?

If it makes a difference I listen to a wide variety of music. Rock, jazz, punk, soul, singer/songwriter, old country, hip hop and even little bit of classical.

Any other suggestions or comments are welcome! Thanks again!
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