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Cartridge recommendation please...

Jettisoned most of my record albums 20 years ago, but am considering a return to vinyl. I've dusted off my old but fully operational TT and would like to mount a new MM cartridge.

Equipment
Technics SL-1300 Direct Drive turntable
The TT would be mated to a Parasound 200 Pre, with a Parasound 2125v2 amp.
Speakers are PSB Silver i's, with an occasional switch to Vandersteen 1's for variety.
No current plan to add a separate phono preamp.

Sound
Jazz, classic soul/r&b, light rock is my preferred type of music.
I'm OK to trade some bass for better vocals and higher end clarity.
As my A'gon name suggests, I do not listen at elevated levels.

Technical/misc.
The SL-1300 currently has an equally old AudioTechnica cartridge (no obvious markings).
I'd like to target a cartridge in the $300 neighborhood.
Will get an additional headshell for whatever cartridge is purchased.
Any cautions for install, or brands to exclude?
If I've done it correctly, here's a link to the TT owners' manual.
https://usermanual.wiki/Document/technicssl1300OwnersManual.3287426015

I can certainly get recommendations from local retailers, though their choices would be for cartridge brands that they carry. My preference is to use the experience of... and hear from... the wider audience reading this post. Thanks much!
60decibels

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,160 posts
 
Exactly corelli.
60decibels a really good match for your tonearm would be the Nagaoka MP 150. $299.00 on Amazon. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,160 posts
 
60decibels at $300 you best stick with MM or MI cartridges. There is simply much more value in them. High output MC cartridges have very high effective mass due to the large coils they have to use to get the output up. The resonance peak can fall into the upper audio range (very bright) and they do not track as well. MM and MC cartridges fall into different markets the MM buyers being much more frugal thus they are priced lower and you get more for your money. The Nagaoka MP 150 matches your tonearm perfectly and is a great performer. In order to surpass it with a MC cartridge you would have to spend $1000 on the cartridge plus you still need a high gain phono stage or step up transformer.
 A good example of the pricing disparity between MC and MM cartridges is the Clearaudio Charisma a MC cartridge that uses exactly the same stylus and cantilever as the Clearaudio Goldfinger. The Charisma costs $2K the Goldfinger $17K. 
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