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Help with NEW MC cartridge putchase

I am certain that this question has come up before, but here it goes again. I would like to purchase a good quality MC cartridge to go with my tube phono stage (40 db of gain). The rest of my equipment are all based on tubes and I use SET amps. I currently am using the ClearAudio Aurum Beta S model, which is a MM cartridge. But I want to experience-- hopefully towards a positive direction--the sound of the MC cartridge. I am not looking for anything that costs an arm and a leg. No more than $750. If you have any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you
kasboot
tom_nice
387 posts
 
I enthusiastically recommend the Denon DL 103D, a classic of yesterday that they're still making or making again. I'm grateful to someone on this Forum who put me onto it, as I had one decades ago and just got a new one and am delighted with it. One delightful aspect is that it costs only $229 plus $5 shipping. In its time, it was on a level with the Koetsu Black. I'm told it was once mandatory for Japanese FM stations. Only way I know to contact Denon is by telephone: 310-974-1010.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
So since SET amps are designed for cozy and sentimental music, you can get a realy soft and musical Benz Micro Glider high output version(2V) and use the volume control of your preamp a-little higher than you use for the rest of components.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
check out the dynavector 17D2 MK2, rather interesting and new it it's approach, with great reviews.
teamfunk
3 posts
 
Having just made the jump from a Beta S myself, I spent a good bit of time researching MC's and decided on a Shelter 901($1,300). The 901 sounds too expensive for you and therefore the Shelter 501 at $800 may be worth a wallet stretch. I auditioned both and went with the 901 because it seemed to pull 100% of the music out of the groove vs. 85 to 90% with the 501. Both have detailed bass and excellent highs without a sense of briteness and best of all a warm, open soundstage. Thanks to a local friend, I also tried a Benz LO4, and a VDH Frog and both of the Shelters beat the other choices (the VDH seemed too analytical and the Benz was too similar to the Beta S to warrent a change) . I am no expert on gain and the shelter output is.4mV so if that is sufficient, it's worth considering.
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