What is the best MM or Hi Output MC cart for $250?


I have an older Rega Planar 3 TT with an Accutex MM cartridge and a Bellari VP129 MM phono stage and think I may be overdue for a new cartridge. It still sounds very good, but how do you know when its time for a new cartridge and what is the best one that would work with the Bellari MM phono stage for $250 or less?
Thanks for your replies.
Louis
128x128lou_setriodes

Showing 1 response by palewin

I'm glad someone suggested the Benz MC20E2. Since I have less experience than most, I didn't want to be the first to recommend it, but I'm using the MC20E2-L (low output) in my Linn/Fidelity Research setup, and have been extremely happy with it. Besides my own (admittedly probably not "golden") ears, every review I've seen described it as an "over achiever" in its price range. If the regular output MC20E2 is similar to the L version (I have a step-up transformer in my chain) it is definitely worth considering.