Micro acoustics 2002e Cartirdge and upgrade bug

Raul,
I have been using the 2002e for 7 years and, three years ago, managed to buy six more MA 2002e carts (in fine condition) for a good price, so I have enough of these to last a few years! This is what's creating my struggle. I'm contemplating whether I should try something new, but it needs to be a substantial upgrade, considering the further expense and the full stock of 2002e's I own. I just don't know how much better and at what price point do these newer carts begin to significantly surpass the performance of the 2002e.

You listed the Dynavector XV-1 and Ortofon A-90, $5200 and $4200 respectively. That's at least 40 times higher than I paid for the 2002e. How do you feel the 2002e compares to these higher end carts from Dynavector and Ortofon. Also, is the Nagaoka you suggest a significant upgrade or just marginally better? I know individual perceptions may vary, but I'm really interested in your thoughts.

--Austin

Austin,
If I were you, I'd tap Raul's knowledge of cartridges. He has a whole bunch. I had a 2002e back in 1978 with a Kenwood KD-500 turntable modified slightly along with a Grace 707 arm. That table and arm kept me happy until 1994, when the motor started having speed problems. I went through 2 Grace F9E's, Supex SD 900e super, Dynavector 23 mrs, Adcom X-coil. All were better cartridges than the 2002e IMHO. My personal favorite was the Supex. The Dynavector was a litle thin as was the 2002e. The Supex was a big step up in all ways. I now have a Cartridge Man Music Maker III and had a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood and both were very good sounding cartridges. I used to have a Maplenoll Ariadne air bearing table and arm for about 12 years and now have an Avid Diva II with an Origin Live Silver II with the Music Maker and the sound is even better the the 'Noll with Virtuoso. I've made so many changes that I really couldn't tell you about the sound of the cartridge specifically--sorry. All I can say is the combo I know have will satisfy me indefinitely--alive, open, dynamic, good spectral balance--probably not as incisive as a good low output mc, but darn nice.

Dear Aliu2: A cartridge decision means which budget we have. Top LOMC ones are pricey.

I concur with Dorkwad especially on the Grace F9E and the Clearaudio Virtuoso.

You can take additional cartridge links here on what I posted in other thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1271818969&&&/Best-Cartridge-under-$1000-00-for-Rega-7

yes all those cartridges IMHO performs better that your Micro Acoustics.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Dorkwad: Btw, I have not heard in deep the CMMM III but only by brief " moments " but I trust in your opinion about.

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

I don't know about this particular model OP is asking about. But I have Micro Acoustics 630MP with thin beryllium cantilever and nude linear contact tip. It is fastest and most resolving cartridge from my stable. And I have quite a few MM/MI carts discussed in the parallel thread. I also have quite a few TOTL MC cartridges from 70s-80s. It is very fast with exemplary tracking, really hugs the curves with least overhang. The only criticism I can attribute to it to be on gray-scale side on palette. But when when my "digital" friends coming to hear something intensive like White Stripes "Elephant" album I always put it as ultimate in resolution and speed. it is not lacking in smoothness, oomph and goosebumps either.