MM cartridge comparable to a Benz L2


Im thinking about going back to a MM design for a while. I had a Grado master 8 years ago and liked it especially in female voices and overall warmness. Went to a Ortofon Kont B then 5 years ago to the benz L2. I also had a Linn K9 MM 20 years ago and liked it. I really like the Benz but I love the difference in sounds that other cartridges make. Im looking for a MM under $200. I read a review on the AT 440 and did not like the brightness the reviewer heard. Also I read a review on the Shure M97XE and reviewer said it was dull. I have a Graham 2.2 tonearm and a Acoustech PH1-P phono preamp. I also want to see if by changing cartridges some hum might go away. I dont want to downgrade too much on sonic performance but maybe im asking too much out of a $200 MM cartridge. Is there a MM giant slayer out there who makes hi end MC manufacturers loose sleep? Thanks for all opinions and thoughts.
128x128blueranger

Showing 2 responses by frogman

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1304374253&/Empire-4000-D/I-Stereo-Cartrid
The Empire is a screaming buy at $120. I use the D4000III, and I think it is a fantastic cartridge. It rivals, in most respects, my Shelter 901, and VDH MC1. Be carefull 'though, in assuming that higher gain will solve your hum issue. What you are hearing may be a grounding issue, not a inssuficient gain isuue. In my system, I always have significantly higher noise levels with MM's, in spite of their higher output. For some reason that I have not discovered yet, MM's are usually much nore finicky about grounding scheme. Every system is different. Good luck.