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Little help in cartridge purchase?

First of all, I am new to the forum and have really enjoyed reading the posts.

Recently, my nephew destroyed the cantilever off my Benz Micro MC Silver and for the first time since owning the system (10 years) I have to replace it. I have a VPI HW-19 Mk III TT, Audioquest PT-6 arm, and Ensemble Phonomaster phono stage. The question is what do I buy? I'm looking at used cartridges thinking I'll get much better value. My price range is $200-$400. Right now I am most seriously concidering a used Benz Micro Glider HO. I can go MM and might concider a Clearaudio cartridge. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
macm75
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I prefer the 103D to the spherical model, havn't tried the others. In addition to audibly prefering the 103D there are some theoretical improvements in reducing record wear by using a line contact stylus, but only if properly aligned. I have used a 103D in the AQ arms with a little of the damping fluid added, seemed to work fine. I think a new one from Denon costs under $270.00. The Audio Technica ATOC-9 is a significantly higher compliance cartridge with an output of .4 mv.
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
If you like your original cartridge why not send it to Stanalog and have it repaired. I've had several cartridges rebuilt by them and they are usually better. They send them to Van Den Hull and he replaces the cantilever with a boron one and a Van Den Hull stylus. The new stylus rides deeper in the groove and extracts more information and less surface noise.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Viridian, thanks for the reminder. I forgot to mention the very fine DL103D in my list. Also a great value. For the money it is practically impossible to beat these cartridges. There are better ones, but you're going to have to pay significantly more to get them. They are good enough that many or even most people would not need to ever upgrade them. Of course, "need" seldom enters into our audiophile buying decisions, so many of us might "want" to spend a bundle to upgrade. I'm considering a Shelter for my next one.
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