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Where to go from Grado Gold?

Hej

I need advice choosing a new MM cartridge. Yes, MM, not MC. My Grado Gold 2 has served me for aboiut two years, since I took up vinyl again, but now I want to get more from my records. I really like Grado Gold 2 but I feel that I want more of...everything. What is important to me is that the cartridge is good at tracking and sibilance and distorted sound is the worst I can think of. What I've heard from Ortofon is not the type of sound I'm looking for. I think Ortofon sounds cold and analytic. Someone described the sound as CD like and I agree with that. So, any ideas what cartridges I should check out? Budget up to $600. Tonearm Pro-Ject 9cc.
simna

Showing 1 response by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,183 posts
 
Hi Simna, this one is easy. The best $600 cartridge is the Goldring 1042.
It has one of the best styluses made, the Gyger S seen on cartridges like the $16,000.00 Clearaudio Goldfinger It is noticeably quieter than other styluses. I also think it has the kind of sound you want.
The AT VM760 is a good cartridge but I would go with the SLC not the SH. Soundsmith's inexpensive cartridges are OK but they are not as sophisticated. Same is true for Grado. Both lines do not hit their stride until you get to the $2000 mark. Stick with the Goldring. It will embarrass a lot of moving coil cartridges. 
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