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ar turntable resurrection advice

I recently was given a mid 1980's AR ES turntable with an empty Sumiko Premier MMT arm. I'm anxious to get back into my pile of vinyl. What entry level cartridge can you guys recommend to an old guy with too many kids in college. I'm looking to spend $125 or less. I will be hooking this table up to an old NAD 1700 powered by an equally old NAD 2400 and played through Paradigm monitor 9's. I find my system a little on the "forward/edgy" side so a smooth musical cartridge is what I'm looking for. I listen to a lot of blues, guitar hero based classic rock, jazz and accoustic/folk/bluegrassy stuff. Does anyone have any input on the grado "color" series. I have heard good things about the ortofon om 20 but would like some second opinions.I appreciate your time and thoughts.
Tim
tda44
johnnantais
621 posts
 
Well, I would have to recommend that old Classic MC, the Denon DL-103, which seduces those from the budget arena to those in the Upper Stratosphere of the High End! They are cheap new, less than $200 shippped from Germany (William Thakker on eBay), but don't judge this particular book by its price-tag. The sound is very entertaining, with excellent balance, natural highs, excellent rhythm and swing and bass. Grados are very smooth and musical MMs, but can exhibit the Grado Dance (crazy wiggling) on heavier tonearms like the Sumiko on certain records.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
sumiko blue point II (high output mc) or grado prestige gold(mm).....the sumiko may have a bit more of that darkness mentioned above.....a classic turntable
soulbrass
246 posts
 
...back to Tim...try a Shure M97xe. Around $60 and a solid performer. It will definitely keep you amused as you contemplate upgrades later.
opalchip
354 posts
 
I agree with both the M97xe and DL103 at their respective price points. One more, which is right in between those two $$$-wise is the Ortofon OM-20 ($129 at Garage-A-Records). It's an excellent sound in it's own right, and you can later upgrade to the OM-30 or OM-40 stylus without replacing the cartridge body.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
I agree the Denon is a wonderful cartridge but beyond your stated budget especially if you don't have a MC phono stage which would require the additional expense of a step-up transformer. The Shure and Ortofon are excellent recommendation, in my opinion.
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