Cartridge upgrade for $600

Among great-performing MM/MI carts at $400-600 are the Audio Technica AT150MLX (TAS's Cartridge of the Year), Ortofon 2M Black, Grado Reference Platinum or Sonata, something from Goldring or one of the MM Clearaudio wood bodies.

I have had and loved the AT150MLX for the past 4 years. It has nice detail without beating you over the head with it, and a lovely top-to-bottom linearity and coherence. Great tracker too. Often selling for $499, you can find it for around $318 if you look around. You must load its capacitance at between 100-200 pF. Mine sings at 150 pF.

One day you are thinking of trying a different Integrated amp and now you are looking at cartridges ?

Whatever you decide to do , make it worth while , even if you have to save more money to do so....as right now it seems that you have some money just burning a whole in your pocket.

The Audio Technica AT-150MLX will outperform any MC close to $600 and perhaps up to $1K IMO.

Dealer disclaimer

If you go with Goldring get 1042 only. $350 from divineaudio.co.uk
Yes, I agree, stay with MM/MI.

04-17-12: Inna
If you go with Goldring get 1042 only. $350 from divineaudio.co.uk
Yes, I agree, stay with MM/MI.

Great tip. The Goldring is a lot of cart for the money and I've never read anything bad about it.

In the same price range, the Audio Technica AT150MLX is available for $324.95 at LPGear.com. Also, the Goldring 1042 is available at KABUSA.com (stateside) for $375. It might be even money with a UK deal when you consider shipping costs and time to delivery.