2K-3K Cartridge for SME10/BAT VK-P10SE superpak

Well, since you like your Dynavector, how about going "whole hog" and going with a Dynavector XV-1S, (or even its predeccesor, the XV-1?

Used they can be found within your budgeted amount, usually for as low as $1,900 (which is what I bought mine for, and a month after I bought mine, I saw another for the same amount). Typically this is what one goes for with a couple of hundred hours on it, and since a cartridge like this will last for at least a thousand hours, (and probably double to triple that), that is an incredible deal to get it for less than half its retail price of $4,250. Of course you'll pay a bit more for one that is not even broken in yet. (If you'll check, you'' typically find one or two for sale here on Audiogon, in fact there were two for sale when I looked just now.)

FYI, I owned the XV-1S for several months now, and find it to be an incredble cartridge, and just as impressive as all the reviews has said it is!
It has a very, very low noise floor (which is very important to me), which rivals the best cartridges I have heard, such as the Koetsu, ZYX and Brinkmann (EMT) line of cartridges.
It is incredibly detailed, without being analytical.
It has a great bass response, (it is almost as deep as my previous Shelter 90X, (just a touch less deep actually), but it is tighter and quicker than the Shelter, which makes me enjoy it more.
The treble is smooth, well extended and very detailed, without being bright or glaring.
The mid-range is wonderful, and while it is not as lush as the Koetsu cartridges I have owned (and loved!), in the past, it is, in its own way, just as good, as the neutrality of the mid-range seems to blend better with the well extended treble and bass response. (The Koetsu mid-range was magical, but the treble was ever so slightly rolled off, and the bass response was neither as deep or as tight as either the XV-1S or the Shelter 90X.)
At this point, I think I have found the cartridge I plan on living with for a very long time!

My two cents worth anyway.
Good Luck!

Scott,

Yeah, I know what you're saying about buying a used cartridge. I too had those same reservations a while back.

However, I did buy my second Koetsu (A Koetsu Rosewood Signature) used, (and from Ebay - yeah, that was scary!), as well as my Shelter 90X (from an Audiogon member), and I had no problems. I think if you'll actually talk to the seller, and check their background, it will help ease your fears. (I will admit that the XV-1S I bought was from a friend that I met on Audiogon, so I had no fears there. One of the cool things about hanging out here on Audiogon, is making friends, and not having to worry about buying used items from them!)

(FYI: By checking their background, I don't just mean looking at their feedback, as that can be misleading sometimes. I mean check out to see how much they post here (and on Audio Asylum, if possible), so you can see if they are a regular member. (i.e. "Regular", as in one of us nut cases that loves to upgrade, just because we like to!) By talking to them on the phone, you can get a feel as why they are selling. (The best reason is that they are upgrading to a newer, better cartridge. I always like buying from people who "want" to sell, rather than need to "sell", as they tend to be friendly and more helpful.)

My two cents worth anyway!

Again, good luck in your search.

PS If you can, buying locally also helps alleviate your fears, as you can go to their house and get to know them, and with any luck, hear the cartridge for sale on their analog rig, so you can know for a fact that it is in good shape.