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Recommend a cartridge for my new TT

I'm finally getting back into vinyl, and I need some recommendations for the best $500 or less cartridge (new or used) to get for a Clearaudio Performance SE TT I'm buying. The table has the Satisfy Carbon Fiber arm. For now, I'll be running the table thru the phono stage (MM)on my Denon AVR-3300 until I see how things sound that way, but maybe get a separate phono stage later if it would make a noticable improvement. Speakers are Monitor Audio Silvers. I tend to listen to older music, all on CD, like Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, War, del Amitri, Patsy Cline, Robert Palmer...., well you probably get the idea where my tastes are, though some classical is appealing also.

Any suggestions as to what would work well with this setup?
duvallite
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
If you are not familar with the Cartridge and Tonearm Databases at Vinyl Engine, I'd recommend checking each cart recommended here to make sure that they are compatible with the cart you are interested.

You can usually find both your arm's effective mass, and the compliance of your cart there. Crucial factors when determining arm-cart matches.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
One advantage of the Audio Technica AT150MLX among the cartridges discussed here is its MicroLine stylus. MicroLines are usually found on $2K and up moving coil cartridges. They also last longer than other shaped stylii according to an boutiquey analog-based stereo shop I frequent. He said that MicroLines often last 2-5 times as long as other shapes, and he's talking from the perspective of a small specialty shop that sets up hundreds of turntables and inspects stylii routinely. I have five years on my original AT150MLX and it still sounds and tracks like new.

As for where it sits in the hierarchy of affordable high end cartridges, I think that is largely dependent on system matching. This cart is often matched with a Technics SL12x0 DD turntable, creating the impression that the cartridge is to blame for a midrange glare. The real culprit (IME) is the resonant frequency of the tonearm tube and the knurled collar for the headshell. Wrap those in Teflon pipe thread tape and that glare goes away. The AT150MLX was Absolute Sound's 2011 Cartridge of the Year, and is often cited as one of the best sub-$1K cartridges out there.
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
I very much agree with Johnnyb53 about top AT carts but THE BEST sub $1K is The SHURE ULTRA 500 with Micro Ridge stylus, at this very moment on eBay. For replacement styli the JICO/SAS (if needed), it´s even slightly better than the original Micro Ridge IMO.
Best of Luck
kiko65
279 posts
 
All great suggestions!
Personally my top 3 MM carts under $500.00:
DV10X5
Clearaudio Aurum Beta S
Linn Adikt
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Go for an AT440mla, superb cartridge at a price around $185 on Amazon. I have an almost new one, along with vintage Shure, Pickering and Stantons that I have replaced styli on, as well as a new Grado Sonata Reference and Ortofon Black, and this AT is as good as any of them. Superb tracker, excellent bass dynamics and clarity, silky midrange without grain or glare. This is an amazing cart and you would not be disappointed. It is as good as any $500 catridge you will find. Plus it looks very cool blue.
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