Is there a better deal than the AT OC-9 at 200?

I am using the denon 103 cart right now and am very happy with the sound. For the price, i think its probally hard to beat. Im somewhat new to the vinyl game, but have heard quite a few truely wonderful sounding systems. The AT is supposed to be great, i just thought id give an opinion on the denon.

Hi,

My choice would CLEARLY be the Clearaudio Aurum Beta S MKII.
I currently have it installed in a Well Tempered arm on a Linn LP12. In comparison with a Grado Sonata a friend brought over, the construction and sound were very different. The Grado had a midrange rich sound with overblown ill-defined bass and was lacking in detail. It was noisier when installed on my Linn as well.

The Clearaudio has a lead body and weighs 10 grams. It tracked better on an Ortofon test LP. The Beta is much more linear and much more detailed, a trait I can't live without considering owning many moving coils over the years. This detail is never harsh or forced at you like a cheap MC design, definitely not "hi-fi" sounding . The Beta has a greater dynamic range, is much faster and way more transparent. It is very musically involving and I can listen to it for hours without fatigue. I can best describe it as having the great qualities of a MC design combined with the virtues of a top flight MM. It sounds way more expensive than it sells for and I am no longer interested in spending any more money on another expensive MC design.

I bought mine from my local dealer/friend at a reduced rate. I believe either Audio Advisor, Needle Doctor or Acoustic Sounds sells it at a discount. Also, there is a trade-in allowance going on right now that will save you even more money. I would recommend it to anyone looking under $1,000.00 for a cartridge, it's that good when set up correctly, and you'll be able to do it. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to a Stan Getz LP right now and am loving the way it sounds. My analogue rig betters my Theta Separates CD player by a long shot. You'll love this cartridge and it can be had for a song and dance.

Happy Listening,
Steve

i guess needle-dr raised the price of the ortofon mc25-fl, since i got mine, at $225. still, i tink it's a great deal, even at $250. needle-dr recommended it to me over the at oc-9, when i was trying to choose... but, i haven't heard the oc-9, so i can't compare the two... the ortofon is a very neutral, accurate, great-tracking cartridge. good detail, not dry, not *too* warm, either. i'm using a pentagon solid-state fono-stage, w/a tubed melos preamp...

doug s.