Without getting into more expensive TT's, the one that comes the most highly recommended for the cash seems to be the Well Tempered system. Since i don't have first hand experience with this piece, i'm simply repeating what i've been told by people that i trust ( hardcore vinylphiles ). Other than that, you could probably step into a reasonably priced Thorens, AR, Rega for not that much and notice an appreciable difference. Just make sure that the arm is properly set up and the cartridge is a good choice for the design / mass of the arm.
Be careful here, as i've had "reputable shops" sell and install cartridges that WERE NOT compatible with the arm that was on the table. I simply followed their suggestion and left it up to them to install it. Prior to use, i read the cartridge manufacturers recommendations for proper set-up. What i found was that the cartridge that they had recommended and installed would never work properly in that arm. Needless to say, i had to return it. They were pissed to say the least, but they took it back with a $50 "labor fee". If you think that they were "pissed", they should have tried to see my point of view. After all, it was THEIR fault. They made the suggestion, they sold me the wrong component, they installed it. All i did was listen to the "self appointed" expert and "get taken" while forking over the cash. Never again...
Do you know what phono stage you have in your AGI ??? David made three different versions with various amounts of gain. If you can look inside, i can walk you through telling which one you have. You really do need to know this in order to select a cartridge with the proper output level.
You might also want to see if the previous owner had added resistors / capacitors in order to fine tune the loading characteristics for a specific cartridge. If so, you can take them out. It might help the combo that you currently have to sound even better. Sean
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