The Shure V15VxMR -- the "Rodney Dangerfield" of high-end phono cartridges -- is an excellent cartridge and can be purchased new for about $275 from Garage-a-Records and Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor. I have owned many cartridges, and the V15VxMR holds it own against many more expensive models.
which cartridge to buy? so many...
i upgraded my realistic radio shack special with a rega planar 2 and grado gold about 5 years ago. the gold has had it and its time for a new head, im running the rega into a counterpoint sa7 pre to 2 antiqueaudio lab tube mono blocks into a pair of NHT super two's, and mainly listening to rather loud rock music. i'm looking for cartridge under 300, considering rega elys, sumiko blue point, maybe another grado- any suggestions?