Help choosing a new cartridge

Well, if you apply the following formula:

rf = 159 / sqrt((7.7+.5+cw)*cu))

where cw = cartridge weight and cu = compliance
you should ideally get an rf (resonant frequency) number between 9 and 11.

7.7 is the effective mass of the JMW9 standard arm. .5 is the approximate weight of the mounting screws (if you know the exact weight of the mounting screws, use it instead).

So, if you plug in the values of a couple of cartridges:

Dynavector DV20XH - 8.6g cw , 12 cu, rf = 11.19
Benz Ace - 8.8g cw, 15 cu, rf= 9.93
Shelter 501 - 8.1g cw, 9 cu, rf=13.14

So, for the JMW9 standard arm, the Benz Ace is the best match. The Dynavector would still work fine, but not as well (rf between 8 and 12 is considered ok. between 9 and 11 even better). The Shelter would not be a good match.

Hope this helps.

Tom

It's difficult to find a moving coil in that price range, you usually have to spend more on those. However, some of the finest MM cartridges can be had for that price, or near there. I would suggest you go that route.

08-25-08: Jaybo
ditch the notion of mc, and get an AT 150...spend the balance on records.

I'm glad somebody else said it first. I looooove my AT150MLX and have no intention/desire to upgrade it for a long time. It just gives me everything I want, nothing of what I don't want, and if I wear it out, stylus replacement is an affordable $179.

At $500, you could get the AT150MLX for $250, totally not worry about matching output strength to the phono stage, and have enough left over to get 25 sealed Original Jazz Classics re-issues from Acoustic Sounds.

Audio Technica indeed might be a good choice. I'm listening to my OC-9 right now and for the money - well within your price range - it sounds pretty darned good.

Interesting thing about my AT150MLX: The more I've improved the components downstream, the better it's revealed the AT150MLX's goodness, and hasn't introduced any of its limitations, whatever they might theoretically be.