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New Cart? Best all around performer...MM or HO

Thinking about a new cart, while putting the system through some changes. I'm looking for a good all round performer. I listen to a variety of music. Mainly Alt-Co, Rock, Acoustic, and Jazz.

Running an MMF-5 with Slee Era Gold. I would like a good warmth, but with detail (I'd imagine that about any cart would be steps above the 1012gx in there now).

I'm wanting to spend up to about 700 or so. I've seen some CA Maestro's at that range on here before. Also, thinking about some Dyna's, Virtuoso Wood, Beta Aurum S. Or, how is the goldring S stylus...it's a perfect fit, just a stylus replacement, and said to be better.

I've read the beta aurum s is good for rock and jazz. Any other input, I'd appreciate it greatly.
pablo16
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The Grado cartridges are available in two outputs, the 1.5mv that you mention and a 4.5mv version that will work very well with the Slee.

My vote goes to the Audio Technica AT150 and spend the rest on albums. It is an unalloyed value in the market. It has high output and is very arm tolerant, as well as being extremely quiet as far as surface noise goes. You would be able to take it with you when you step up to your next turntable.
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
The better (from AT440MLa on up) Audio Technica cartridges are a bit of a bargain from a stylus standpoint, as the 440MLa, AT150, and OC9 all use a MicroLine stylus which--because of where it sits in the groove--is both quieter and extracts more detail than a typical elliptical, and is evidently quieter on used and worn records than a Fritz-Geiger (according to the test/review in the May/June issue of $ensibleSound.
pablo16 OP
45 posts
 
What are the sound characteristics from the AT's?
pablo16 OP
45 posts
 
A TT, et al. retailer suggested the Dyna 20x. What do y'all think? In a review it mentions the Shure V15 is better for bright systems...seems like a tough comparison though, and I'm just baseing this on price.
scm
107 posts
 
I had a Sumiko BPS EVO and I replaced it with the new Micro ridge version Dyna 20XH.
I liked the EVO, especially for the $$ spent.
But the Dyna simply has it all over the EVO in every way. I honestly can`t come up with a single area where the EVO might be a bit better.

A few things stand out with the Dyna that I really notice with no effort:
1) The surfaces are quieter...by far.

2) Instruments are more tuneful. Wood blocks and the like come across with more realism. I`m no wordsmith but to give an example,on Dire Straits "Down to the waterline".. I noticed the wood blocks where struck on different spots and with different force giving slight tonal differences with each strike.
Same goes for instruments across the board...IMHO

3)I can pick up more sound on lead in and I can hear and follow further back as well as the track fades off..uncanny!

This cartridge is the best I`ve ever had. I`ve been content over the years with my modest entry level equipment.
Micro Acoustics 2002e for awhile, then the Shure V15-Type V`s seemingly forever then to the aforementioned.

But, I have to say, I can see me moving on up the chain if the improvements are as noticable as this new Dyna is to me!!!

I vote for the new version Dyna 20XH
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