Cartridge for Rega planar 2

I took TWL's suggestion a while back on a Goldring 1042 and love it. There happens to be a brand new 1042 for sale in the cartridge section right now for $185 which appears to fit your budget. The seller has it listed with several other carts available, but does say Goldring in the heading.

Well then. Looks like I am headed for either Goldring 1042, if still available at $185, or Dynavector 10x5 at $215 -- with Denon DL160 still in the running. I'll sleep on it, and hope for a bit more advice that'll clinch it -- advice of any kind: sonic, set up, MM vs. MC, reliability, karma.

Two things: smooth sonics would be a big plus -- I like to listen a bit loud, have very fast speakers, and fatigue can be a problem. PRAT is of the utmost importance too. Does that help point the way?

RNM

There is a review of the Denon on this site--and I think the reviewer used a Rega P2. You might look at that.

Thanks jc -- I've seen that review. It's what got me interested in the Denon to begin with.

Looks like the Dynavector may have sold while I slept:(.

Twl is hot on the Goldring 1042. How does it compare with the high output version of the Goldring Eroica? That's available in my price range.

RNM

The 1042 is actually better than the Eroica. Not just my opinion. Check the reviews by TNT, and others about the comparisons between the 1042 and the Goldring MC cartridges. Goldring has been making very fine MM cartridges for years, and that is their strength. They have only recently started with MC cartridges, and their MMs are still better. So far. The 1042 is smooth on top, with no exaggerated treble. It is a British cartridge, so that should answer the PRAT question. Both Linn and Audio Note re-label the 1042 for their in-house brand cartridges, the Adikt and one of the IQ models, respectively.

If you want to try high output MC, the Dynavector is the way to go. That is a real good value cartridge, and has been very popular for years.

It's a tough call between them. They are both real good, and you won't be disappointed with either of them. They were both made to compete in the same price range, and they were both considered at the top of the list for that price.