Budget-ish cartridge

[gjm]

My system is over there.

<----

I'm considering a not-too-expensive cartridge for more everyday use, and just in case things don't work out and the Axia has to find a new home.

First thought was something like the Denon DL-103. I'd looked at things like the Sumiko Black Pearl, but the Denon is pretty much a dead cert step above that. And there's a chap here who has a special one he might sell - wood body, beryllium cantilever, and AN wiring.

That sounds nice, but any other suggestions in the same price range, no more than £150ish?

 

[Guest]

You can't get alot of cartridge for £150 new these days, maybe worth looking at William Thakkers site, his prices seem competitive.

 

[avole]

Check the Denon will work with your arm first. DL103s are low compliance and require high mass arms - the vinylengine website has the calculators.

 

[laughing gravy]

Goldring 2200?

 

[Guest]

Ortofon 2M Blue maybe?

Or AT440MLa?

 

[macvisual]

AT 440MLa is a decent (not overly expensive) cart, been using one for a year now with lovely results.

 

[RSand]

Denon dl110 seems well regarded for its price, I have not heard one myself though.

With your budget I would be buying used, I kick myself when I think of what I could have got used for the new price of my cart. Why not put a WTD ad in the classifieds?

 

[Reggie Mental]

AT 440MLa is a decent (not overly expensive) cart, been using one for a year now with lovely results.

Seconded.

 

[MJ.]

Denon DL-110 :^

 

[rockmeister]

Ortofon 2M Blue maybe?Or AT440MLa?

this IMO.

 

[Guest]

For new, I'd go with the AT440mlx. Or if you can stretch, the AT150MLX which is an improved version (metal bodied) of this with the same cantilever and micro-line tip at the AT OC9, and sounds better to my ears than the OC9 which I owned for donkey's years.

I recently got an s/h (though looks unused to me) AT150EaG from hifi do in Japan, was about £150 landed, it's a Japan only version of the AT150MLX with a different (but in the AT way of things not necessarily lesser) cantilever and stylus. It sounds fab.

The musical fun to be had from a good MM for me calls into question the whole business of cheaper MCs, which tend to me more obvious in their flaws (IMO) than a quality MM. I'd take the AT over any new sub-£500 MC any day.

 

[gjm]

Both the AT440 and DL110 are great cartridges - no argument from me. I'd not thought of them - hence the question! The DL110 is a pretty colour. Hmm. And I can get one here for less than the 103, while the AT440 is quite a bit more expensive. I'll take a look at the AT150s, too.

Denon dl110 seems well regarded for its price, I have not heard one myself though.With your budget I would be buying used, I kick myself when I think of what I could have got used for the new price of my cart. Why not put a WTD ad in the classifieds?

Shipping is a bit pricey! ;-)

 

[naxos10]

Nagaoka MP110 maybe and leave yourself some spare cash.

 

[Guest]

Or an At95e:^ ;-)

 

[JamPal]

You can't get alot of cartridge for £150 new these days, maybe worth looking at William Thakkers site, his prices seem competitive.

Disagree. Nagoaka MP110. You'll be amazed what £100.00 can buy you.

[h=1][/h]

 

[Guest]

I guess what I was trying to say James was they (not so long ago it seems) used to be a lot cheaper!

At95e £10

2M Blue £120

Goldring 1012GX £120

The MP110 you mention was well under a ton at £60quid ish

The 2M Red was about £60 quid.

DL110 was about £80quid

etc.

 

[naxos10]

It's a good point Rob, cartidge prices do seem to have escalated this year! Although I've just found this on the bay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nagaoka-MP11-phono-cartridge-Stylus-/271231551567?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f26a9084f#ht_3529wt_1141

 

[harmonica98]

Before 2009 you could get over 200 yen to the pound, now it's only 150 - big difference for Japanese-made carts.

 

[RSand]

Shipping is a bit pricey! ;-)

Not really http://www.parcelforce.com/send-worldwide/non-account-services/economy-services/prices