MC cartridge?

Thanks for your help. I think I am going to keep the Grado I have now, and start looking for a better TT and cartridge set up. Perhaps an LP12 or a Sota. Again thanks for your help. I can always put the Marantz table in the bedroom and my wife can use it (she can't hear anyway).

marakanetz is right on the money, that is, don't spend any on the turntable, but money spent on a cartridge is not wasted. One word of caution though, what will work well on one turntable (such as a modern one of good mass, with an arm of good mass) might not work all that well on something like what you have. But it is fun to find out. I have found that some of the old turntables actually work surprisingly well compared to some of the cheaper, high end turntables available today. I'm not saying that you shouldn't upgrade your 'table, I think you should, but it shouldn't stop you from getting a better cartridge.
I would set my aspirations to a cartridge that seems appealing to you, and one that would seem to work well on a table that seems appealing to you. What is there to lose? So long as you are willing to accept a table upgrade in the future, willing to accept that your present table may have limitations, the only chance you would really be taking is that your present turntable might or might not sound good, while you look for a turntable that you really want. Judging from the rest of your system, a better table is emminent. You could be looking for both a better table and a better cartridge.

Terrific step adding an analog rig to your system, but I can't help but think your turntable is not in the same league as the rest of your gear. Hopefully you won't be offended by my observations. I'd consider selling the Marantz and finding something of somewhat better quality, the good old "garbage-in garbage-out" theory. Perhaps a used Rega, SystemDek, or even one of the better Thorens? I'd then follow the suggestions of the folks here as to suitable/affordable cartridges to mate with your 'table/arm. It doesn't have to break the bank and WILL sound better than any digital sources out there. Welcome to the dark side!

Dynavector 10X4 mk II is an excellent MC cartridge in this price range. I bought one about 4 months ago to replace a Grado (Reference Platinum) cartridge, it blew me away. It surpassed the Grado in all categories, except midrange warmth, which was a very slight edge to the Grado. The highs were clearer and airy, the bass tighter, and the soundstage just opened up with the Dynavector. FYI, I'm using a VPI table and a Rega arm. The Dynavector 10X4 mk II list for $350, but you should be able to get a new one somewhere for less than $300.

Regards,
John

Ortofon X5 High Output MC: $110 brand new from 2Juki.

Definately try the Garrott K2 from needledoctor.com
about 300... awsome mc cartridge..
I use it with the p3, and the sound difference when I upgraded from a mm, audio technica was dramatic...
So much more musical... Great value.
good luck,
joe

...sumiko bps,
...dynavector 10x4,
...clearaudio aurum beta s(it's mm but easily competes with mc for the price offered)
...shure V15 vmxr(which is also mm with great performance and with medium output.

don't change the arm since it's the best and more reasonable to wait for more radical analogue upgrade i.e you might want to change the turntable arround the cartridges choosen.