2. analog
  3. 149658-7

Best cheapo Cartridge

In a bind, I have 2 cartridges that have seen better days.   My Ortofon Jubilee has at least 1500 hours on it and I’m starting to hear a drop in performance.  My Transfiguration Proteus only has 450 hours but is on the fritz and they are OOB.

I have too many irons in the fire to spend alot and need one to hold me over for a while.  Thinking about a MM, like Ortofon or Grado.  Would be mating with a Basis Vector 4 tonearm, Basis 2200 sig, and either Allnic H3000 or ARC PH 5.  Speakers are Thiels.  

Analog heads please give me some advice.   I have no experience with MM or MI or than many cartridges in my system  for that matter.  


pops

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I'm not sure what "a lot" is as far as your budget, but the Hana cartridges are really nice for the money.  I have the SL ($750). 

For really inexpensive I recently bought a used Shure V15 IV with a broken stylus for $135 and put a new JICO SAS stylus ($199) on it.  Sounds great! 

The Denon DL-301 MKII is also nice and can be found for around $300- $400. 

I have a Nagaoka MP-500 and admit that I've only tried it on one of my cheap tables (Music Hall 2.2) and got a good deal on it when Kazu was still selling them.  It's good, but for the money, these other options are as good or better to my ears. 

Please note, I'm not familiar with your gear so don't know how any of these would be from a compliance standpoint.
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I should probably try the Nagaoka on a better table.  I hate changing carts on that Music Hall table though, the leads are about as thick as a human hair and easy to break.
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