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SME 20 SME V cartridge

Recently I bought myself a new present for my birthday. (as listed in the title). Until now I've had a heavily modded Gyrodec with Technoarm.

Needless to say I'm over the moon with the new table but have a few more quid to spend on a decent cartridge. (but not too much)

Looking for any suggestions for under £1500 considering I play mostly jazz, opera, electonica and sometimes classic rock.

I have my eye on a Cartridge Man Music Maker since he's local. Any ideas? Nothing too esoteric, please.

Cheers from sunny London.

misnomer
mauidj
127 posts
 
Give the Sound Smith a call. I have his Strain Gauge on my 20/12A and it is simply stunning. His MM cartridges are very close from what I have heard.
Congrats on the purchase. You are in for a wonderful ride!
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Lyra Delos when you have a Phonostage which is able to amplify 0.6mV
sounds_real_audio
1,011 posts
 

It really depends on the type of sound that you are after. A warm romantic sound, then perhaps the Benz. A fast transparent silvery sound then perhaps the Dynavector. Check out the Wilson Benesch Ply or their Carbon.

Cheers
Jim
scousepasty
106 posts
 
When I had an SME 20, I ran a Koetsu Rosewood for playing jazz & opera, which is mostly 1950's Blue Note & Decca pressings in my collection and a ClearAudio Discovery for the newer vinyl.
I can recommend that you give Dave a call a Heatherdale Audio in UK (01903 261213 or 01903 532085). Good guy and always willing to do deals on cartridges. I bought a couple of Yamamoto cartridges off him and IMO they are the equal of £1500.00+ cartridges that I named above.
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