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Which low output MC cartridge

I am in the market for a low output moving coil cart for my Rega P5. I have recently added upgrades from Groovetracer and an HRS record clamp. I am using a Creek OBH-15 Phono pre and now want a low output mc cartridge for under $1,000. I am currently using the Denon DL-103SA, but want to try one other to switch with. I am thinking about either the DL-304, Kontrapunct A, Dynavector 20x or 17 D3. There are also a couple of Ortofon's in the category including the Rondo Blue and Bronze, which I have never read anything about. I know this is a wide range, but they are all in my price range and I am only getting one. Anybody familia with these cartridges who has an opinion (thats a pretty ironic thing to ask in an audiophile forum) on another good match with the Rega, please give me your advice. I am going to live with this for a while, although I have said this about many other pieces of hi-fi detritus that is languishing in my dloset. Thanks in advance.
jhartbirdman
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
This is just my opinion, but I would put that $1K towards a better phonostage if it was my money. Something like a used Simaudio LP5.3 would be a bigger improvement than adding a better cartridge with the Creek you are using now.
I've had the both phonostages.
casey33
260 posts
 
The Ortofon Kontrapunkt is high compliance,and the Denon DL 103 is low compliance.One of these carts is likely unsuitable for your arm.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Agree with Tom hankins. Making the jump to LOMC without a suitable table, arm and (especially) phono stage is a classic error.

I currently own a $5K LOMC, a $2K LOMC and a $200 MM. Are the LOMC's better? Yes, but only in a suitably matched system.

It's fair to say my phono stage, table and arm are well above the level of yours. But if I dropped even one of them to the level of a Creek my LOMC's would become unsatisfactory. The MM would become the better sounding cartridge. I know because I've made that journey.

Unless money is no object and you plan on upgrading everything, the optimal bang-for-buck upgrade order is usually:
- Table first
- Phono stage a close second (but first if using an LOMC)
- Tonearm third
- Cartridge a very distant fourth

This is my experience but it certainly isn't my idea. Linn has been espousing this hierarchy for 30 years, because it works.
birdmanpa
27 posts
 
Thank you very much for the responses. I now see I have been putting the cartridge before the horse. As I am sticking with this TT for the time being, and the Rega 700 arm is what I've got to work with, I will look to upgrade the Phono stage next. As always very informative.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,086 posts
 
Dear Jhartbirdman : I agree with what Dougdeacon posted.

IMHO what you need to do is to take the MM/MI " road " with out change anything you own.
The MM/MI alternative is better that we could think and not easy to beat in the right environment.

Almost every MM/MI cartridge is below that 1K budget you have with a quality performance level that even easy LOMC cartridges in the 2K-3K price range.

These are some good alternatives you can try:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ortofon-M20E-Super-MM-cartridge-M-20-E-Super-NOS_W0QQitemZ400085013949QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d26ecd5bd#ht_2567wt_1165

http://cgi.ebay.com/Andante-P-76-MM-Phono-cartridge-T4P-P-mount-NOS_W0QQitemZ110513991713QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19bb25b021#ht_526wt_1165

http://cgi.ebay.com/Empire-1080-LT-1080LT-T4P-cartridge-NOS_W0QQitemZ400101138353QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d27e2dfb1

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=NAGAOKAMP050&Category_Code=NAGAOKACART

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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