Phono Cartridges

[J Stover]

If your turntable has a detachable SME style headshell, I'd really recommend the EMT XSD15. It's built in to an SME style headshell and will plug right in to your arm. It's got a very powerful, punchy sound that's great with Altecs, but it's pretty expensive in the US. You can get it directly from Germany through Studiotechnik Dusch. I can't post a link, but if you search under that name, you'll find the website.

It's available with either conical or SFL styli (I use SFL and have been very happy with it). It's an MC cartridge, but pretty high output, so a step-up may not be required. Depending on exchange rates, I think the price is around $1K.

[amandarae]

My take...

You need to know what tonearm mass you have first. Since you mention not over 1 gm VTF on the cart, then I assume that you are looking for mid to high compliance cartridges.

I own/owned some modest MC cartridges (Denon 103 x 4, Denon 103R x 2, Denon 103 nude, Denon 103 wood body x 2, Denon 103R with ruby cantilever, Denon 304, Shelter 501, Shelter 901, Benz Ace low, Benz Glider, Koetsu Rosewood Sugano version). None of these will be a perfect mate to your tonearm. Will it work? Yes, but not optimal. Only the Denon 304 will match and you are already pushing it at a tracking force of 1.25 gms. IMO

If I were you, look at mid to high compliance cartridge. I have no experience on MM carts.

regards,


Abe

[Vathek]

What model is that Stanton cartridge? Stanton used the same body with different needles for quite a lot of models. So chances are you can just drop in a 681EEE needle and have a very good classic MM cartridge. Does it say anything about the model number on the cartridge?

[gortnipper]

Sound Smith makes some high compliance moving iron carts with tracking forces at 1gm. From what I have read, they are supposed to sound very good.

Soundsmith built phono cartridges

David

[60goldtop]

Hi Marvin,

You can try the Shure M97xE mm cart. IIRC bought mine for less than a usd100.00. My friends find this cart great in their Technics 1200's. I bought this cart for my SME3009 s2 improved arm but haven't tried it yet. Still enjoying an old arm with an MC cart that I'm currently using. Hope this helps!

BugC

Amazon has the M97xE on sale for $61.00 right now. I bought one just to see how it compared to the old V15. It's not going to compete with Clearaudio, Koetsu, etc. but I personally like it better than the Grado Gold.