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Cartridge opinions: New stylus, or new cart?

I have a Technics SL1210 M5G that has several aftermarket tweaks to make it into a clean, clear, expansive-sounding TT with low noise floor (fluid damper, tonearm wrap, sorbothane mat, brass cones/Vibrapods, heavy butcher block platform, LPGear ZuPreme headshell).

For the last 4 years I've been using and enjoying an Audio Technica AT150MLX. I have a little upgrade money available and am contemplating a new cartridge if I'd get an appreciable improvement. The replacement stylus for the AT150MLX is $225, which would get me nearly halfway to some interesting contenders: The ones I'm thinking about are the Grado Statement Sonata1, Soundsmith Carmen (wood-bodied version of the SMMC3), Audio Technica AT33EV, Denon DL-304 or Denon DL-S1. The DL-S1 is normally $949, but I can get one in the price range of the others mentioned.

The output of the cartridge is not a big factor for me as I have a Jolida JD9A, which has three gain levels, two output levels, and a comprehensive array of DIP switches to optimize capacitance for MM/MI carts and resistance for LOMC carts.

Right now I'm leaning toward the AT33EV as JR has an attractive price and user reviews cite its combination of MC speed and airiness combined with a little warmth and bass extension reminiscent of the Grado Statement Sonata. I definitely don't want thin and edgy, nor do I want overly warm and syrupy. I want full-bodied rendition with dynamics, retrieval of hall ambience, and hall and well-traced hall ambience and instrument resonance decay.
johnnyb53

Showing 1 response by rauliruegas

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rauliruegas
12,772 posts
 
Dear Jhonnyb53: If you want to follow AT maybe your best shot could be the new ANV ( anniversary ) model.

Now, this one IMHO is a better performer that what you own and better performer than almost all the cartridges named here:

http://www.lpgear.com/product/BOMMC2.html

on the LOMC side I like a lot the Denon DL-S1. This is not a cartridge for every phono stage you will need a very high gain unit with very low noise and that be an active high gain not a passive one.

IMHO other top alternatives are the Goldring G800 and the Clearaudio Virtuoso ( re-tipped. ) or you can always try for " penauts " the AT-95SA ( you could be surprised on its quality performance level in its original status. ) that you can improve through re.tip with Axel.

Anyway , that's my experiences about. You have almost endless alternatives.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
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