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Replacing MM Cartridge suggestions phillips table

Fellow audiogoner's need your help. I've decided to plunge back into vinyl. Haven't played records in years so I need to replace my cartridge. I have a Philips 312 Electronic belt drive turntable. It tracks very well from .5 to 1.5 grams. Back in the day it competed (almost) with Thorens. I have a MA 2002E cartridge which I paid $250.00 for in the early 90's. My system is B&W N802, Wadia CDP with a crown amp and pre. I listen to jazz so hearing the full music spectrum is important, high-mids-lows. I've looked at a few manufactures but honestly I have no clue. Like every thing else there has been a big price increase over the years. How much do I need to spend in todays dollars to get the sound of a $200.00 dollar cartridge from the 90's? I've seen prices in the thousand dollar range, do you have to go that high to get a cartridge that matches the sound quality of a CD? I've been told that playing vinyl will make me forget my 200 plus cd collection. Thanks in advance I would particularly like to hear from jazz listners. Also do you think a 20 year old table that seems to play like it was new stacks up to whats available today or do I need to start over?
So if you have experience going from digital back to vinyl give me your recommendations on brands and price range.
walkelin

Showing 1 response by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Kurt's suggestion is sound to first upgrade the turntable and tonearm. These two components are the essential foundation to good cartridge performance. The VPI Jr. is one option, but if you have the money, the VPI Scout with the JMW 9 arm is a superb package for the money.

There are some very good moderately priced cartridges on the market today, but at discount price, it's pretty hard to beat the newest version of the Shure V15xMR. It can be purchased new for $250-275, and at that price, I personally don't think there is another MM cartridge that comes close in overall performance.
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